Friday Night Rewind – Cleveland Heights at Strongsville

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318009"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f830d251cdc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Every quarterback wants an [player_tooltip player_id='1318009' first='Alex' last='Espay']. A tight route runner with a strong set of hands on him, Espay exerts impressive body control to find openings against defenses others will miss. Can line up in the slot or on the outside with his speed. On time receiver who settles into gaps on short routes, more than efficient at moving the sticks. Shifty runner at his size with quick lateral movement to evade would-be tacklers. Does not shy away from crossing routes and over the middle plays. Isn't afraid of contact both with and without the ball, provides support to the run game in blocking and clear outs. Espay is dynamic on the field and plays bigger than his listed size with speed to back it up. With a pair of offers from Morehead State and Memphis, Espay is seeing a big payoff to his work through his junior year. Against Cleveland Heights he had one of the toughest catches I've seen in years on a fingertip grab in the rain at full speed for a score. High ceiling for this young man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14801654/66e6ee943f264dd5ffc6195c">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14801654/66e6ee943f264dd5ffc6195c</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ricky Shulz","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"216","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Strongsville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f830d251f5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ricky Shulz isn't the biggest or strongest guy on the football field, but after watching Shulz in person on Friday he is the hardest working. Shulz plays with no fear or intimidation firing out from center. He was challenged by much bigger and physically gifted players, but came out and blocked his assignments regularly. Explosive off the snap to fire out into defenders' chest then starts churning his feet to gain ground. Establishes running lanes for his backs in limited space by swinging his hips to drive his man out. Doesn't take plays off and puts everything he can into each block. A good goal line blocker with his strength to create opportunities to score up the middle. Has the speed to chip off into blocking linebackers. Shulz is a good prospect with offers for his motor on the field. He holds several offers to Wittenberg, Allegheny and Denison so far. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14990332/66f4b658fe447d413064f35c">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14990332/66f4b658fe447d413064f35c</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jaylen Effinger","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cleveland Heights","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f830d252041"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaylen Effinger stood out on defense with a couple of key plays for his team in big situations. Effinger showed some hard-nose football with a couple of big hits near the goal line. He made a touchdown saving tackle against a 6-foot-5 mobile quarterback as well as tight, clean coverage in the end zone on several pass attempts before the half. Plays comfortable in open space over the top of the field. Has good timing for disruption and the closing speed to close windows on a quarterback. Scans the backfield while in motion, doesn't play with his head down. Can deliver contact for pass breakups. Rotates his body well to change direction with fluid, quick movements. Can play up to the line as well to defend against the run. I like a lot about Effinger's film and what I saw in person as a player who plays smart and has the trust of his coaches to make good reads. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22528953/66dce538517b56ccf8c81b36">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22528953/66dce538517b56ccf8c81b36</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1167343"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f830d2520af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Earlier this month [player_tooltip player_id='1309771' first='Elijah' last='Harris'] picked up his first offer in a big way with Kentucky backing up what Harris has shown as one of the top talents in the 2028 class. Seeing the field as a freshman is no small feat, especially with his two-way play ability. Harris lined up in coverage most of the night and had a quiet game because he was tight on his man. The ball didn't come Harris' way much as a compliment to his play. Already this season he has made several explosive plays on offense as a durable athlete with a high upside with the ball in his hands. He doesn't look like a freshman on the field with instincts that cannot be taught. Harris has lightning quick speed already which makes home run plays an option every time he touches the football. The staff at Kentucky noticed it first, but other schools will soon know Harris' name.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22578296/66e740c7db0abc89ff87781b">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22578296/66e740c7db0abc89ff87781b</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->