Players Ready To Catch Recruiting Fire Part 5

Jared Luginbill October 31, 2024 @ 10:43 PM

As the 2024 season starts to wind down this is the start of a series where I will take a look at players that I expect to catch recruiting fire. We're at a point we're almost all players should have at least a half a season's worth of game film put down. Aside from grades and character traits and good film or everything when it comes to the recruiting game.   2026 EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1171275' first='London' last='Vickroy'] (Westerville South) 6'5 210- Vickroy is a talented pass rusher who plays with a ton of juice. He may have the best physical tools of any pass rusher in the 2026 class. He has a great get off and speed rush that is difficult for most offensive tackles to counter. Add to that he has an elite ability to bend and turn the corner without losing speed and get to the quarterback in a hurry. He has a nice inside dip move that he uses to crossover blockers. London is comfortable rushing out of the 2 or 3 point stance. When he takes on the block in the run game he does a good job of long arming and shedding the block to make the play. With Vickroy's ability to rush the passer at a high level and excellent physical traits expect him to start to pull serious D1 and P4 offered this offseason.   2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1540687' first='Favour' last='Akih'] (Delaware Hayes) 6'0 190- Akih is a late bloomer at running back for the Pacers. At 6'0 190 pounds he has good size. Akih's running style is of a physical between the tackles runner. He hits the hole hard and fast. He has good leg drive that he uses to break tackles and extend runs. Favour has the speed to turn any run into a chunk play. This offseason should be a busy one for the junior running back.   2026 OL [player_tooltip player_id='904659' first='Lucas' last='Tielsch'] (Copley) 6'7 295- Tielsch is a 6'7 295 pound road grader for the Copley. He lines up at left tackle for the Indians. Lucas shows off fantastic feet and an athletic skillset. He excels in the run game where he is able to get to the second level easily. He's used as a puller on counters and shows quickness to get across the formation and get to his man. When he finishes, he brings a little nasty to the game. In his pass set he's patient in his kick-step. He plays with a good anchor and great balance. Lucas picked up offers from Pitt in West Virginia among others this summer and recently added offers from Minnesota in Virginia Tech. He's been on the division one recruiting scene for a few years now, but his recruitment is about to go to another level.   2027 WR [player_tooltip player_id='849317' first='Trey' last='Haddad'] (Saint Ignatius) 6'1 160- the young wide receiver for the Wildcats, soft playing time in his freshman season last year. This year he has taken to his game to another level. Trey is a smooth and polished route runner who knows how to get to his spots and leverage the defense to create separation. He has good footwork in his release and shows off easy speed that he uses to run by defenders. Haddad does a good job of tracking and hauling in the deep ball. With a strong sophomore season of film in tow, I expect Trey to start to garner a lot of interest on the D1 recruiting scene this offseason.   2027 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1343605' first='Marino' last='Middleton'] (Moeller) 6'0 180- Freshman rarely get varsity playing time at a football powerhouse program like Moeller, yet that's exactly what Middleton found himself doing last year. He's taken that solid freshman season and built on it adding a stellar sophomore season to his resume. Marino can play and excel in both press man and off man coverages. He has a smooth and patient backpedal. He shows fluid hips to turn and run with receivers. You often see him run the receivers route. He uses his length well to bat balls away. Middleton is also a game changer in the special teams game where he uses his speed and sudden stop and go ability to take it to the house. Marino should start to see considerable D1 and P4 interest this offseason that could culminate in offers.

As the 2024 season starts to wind down this is the start of a series where I will take a look at players that I expect to catch recruiting fire. We're at a point we're almost all players should have at least a half a season's worth of game film put down. Aside from grades and character traits and good film or everything when it comes to the recruiting game.