Sophomores Making Their Mark on Varsity

It is not easy to carve out a weekly role on a varsity team. A role that the team relies on heavily. It is even harder to do it as an underclassmen. Seniors and even juniors are usually noticeably more developed physically and have more experience to lean on than the underclassmen. Yet every year we have a few special athletes across WI who prove they are ahead of the curve in their development and are able to make a key difference for their varsity programs. Today we are focusing on those special underclassmen and how they performed in Week 1. These athletes are some of the need to knows in the Class of 2027, so get on them early if you aren't already.    Stats: 6 Receptions, 60 Yards, 2 TDs, 5 Tackles, 1 PBU   The elite TE recruit has clearly made strides in his game. The 6'5" 215 lbs sophomore plays with excellent body control and balance opening up the chance to run clean routes, make catches along the sideline, and be a tough tackle after the catch. Loken's speed for the position jumped off the tape too as he has multiple examples of his running by CBs in Week 1. Plus the hands are looking very natural as he easily plucks the ball out of the air. Korz is continuing his development towards being an elite mismatch. The stud recruit also put out impressive film at OLB, setting a strong edge, chasing down plays from behind, and getting into the backfield to make TFLs.      Stats: 400+ Yards of Offense, 5 TDs   David is manning the left guard position on the loaded Bay Port offensive line. In Week 1 the big man got off to a hot start vs a very good Middleton team. David flashed the range to pull and lead up to level two. He showed some anchor strength to stuff blitzing LBs in pass protection. David had a lot of success utilizing double teams to create a big push in the trenches and then could work his way up to secure a block on level two. The big man definitely moves well and his strength is improved over his freshman season. Big things ahead for David as he continues to develop.      Stats: 100+ Passing Yards, 200+ Rushing Yards, 4 Total TDs   Carter looks right at home at the center position in Week 1. The massive lineman plays with the range to be able to reach DTs that are out over his guard. He also has great strength to set a strong anchor in pass protection, setting up a strong pocket for his QB. He shows great awareness to find blitzing LBs. When he is covered by a NG Carter is able to quickly engage with fast hands post-snap and is able to create a push on contact. The impressive OL is looking like he made a big jump this offseason and could find himself even higher in those OL rankings when the season is done. Don't sleep on this kid.      Stats: 11/22, 281 Passing Yards, 3 TDs, 33 Rushing Yards, 1 TD   Being a varsity starter as a sophomore QB is no easy task, but the 6'3" 200 lbs sophomore looks up to the challenge. The well put together '27 has the live arm needed to make all the throws on Friday nights. He can drive the ball on a rope 30+ yards downfield and fit into those tight windows underneath with his arm strength. While the numbers don't jump out as accurate (50% comp. pct.), Jamison has multiple highlights this past week of him placing the ball into some tiny windows while also putting velocity on those throws. Larsen also did some damage with his legs, and while he doesn't have game breaking speed the sophomore is opportunistic and will pick up the free chunks that are given. West has a QB in place for several years to come that can get the ball to every level of the field with accuracy and zip. That's a huge plus at the HS level. Big things ahead for Larsen and his team.      Stats: 4 Receptions, 94 Yards, 1 TD   Ely is often used as the only WR out wide in the New Holstein formation, but he is able to put a lot of stress on defensive backfields because he is a smooth athlete that can separate with his route running and his speed to stretch the field. Ely is a big play threat as an a sophomore with soft hands and a willingness to go and get the ball instead of waiting for it. It's quick film this week, but a good start for one of our top underclassmen WRs.      Stats: 4 Tackles, 1 INT   This season Jamal is holding down an ILB position compared to his OLB position last season, and the change fits him well. Jamal has a solid base of instincts and has developed the ability to quickly read and react. That gives him the ability to quickly flow with the play and meet RBs in the hole. The sophomore has enough range to be able to chase down plays outside the tackle box and he has the strength to be able to battle off blocks before making tackles. The sophomore made a nice play on his INT reading the QB's eyes and letting the QB take him to where the ball was going to be. Check out one of the top LBs in the Class of 2027.      Stats: 6 Receptions, 57 Yards   Drew has definitely taken that next step at the WR position and it has led to him getting run on the varsity team. The first takeaway is that Drew is looking bigger than the 5'11" 155 lbs we had him at during our last update. Even more noticeable as you watch through the highlights is the quickness to his game and the way he uses that quickness and burst to be a successful route runner. Olsson has excellent body control that lets his make those sharp breaks on a dime. Drew's quickness allows him to do a lot of his damage in the short passing game. Check out his film. Great start to his sophomore campaign.

It is not easy to carve out a weekly role on a varsity team. A role that the team relies on heavily. It is even harder to do it as an underclassmen. Seniors and even juniors are usually noticeably more developed physically and have more experience to lean on than the underclassmen. Yet every year we have a few special athletes across WI who prove they are ahead of the curve in their development and are able to make a key difference for their varsity programs. Today we are focusing on those special underclassmen and how they performed in Week 1. These athletes are some of the need to knows in the Class of 2027, so get on them early if you aren't already.