Takeaways: Montini vs Carmel

Friday night Prep Redzone was at Montini High School for a battle of two squads loaded with prospects with the headliners being two of the top 5 2027 prospects in the state who both happen to be quarterbacks.  Montini jumped out to an early lead and never really looked back as they won 34-16.  We dive into the contest and prospects in Takeaways: Montini vs Carmel!   Montini's Abrams Lives Up to Top 5 2027 Status   This was my first time seeing Montini sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='611846' first='Israel' last='Abrams'] in person.  He more than lived up to the billing as one of the premier prospects in the 2027 class.  First you have to look at the physical profile of Abrams standing a 6'4” 185 pounds he has legit size and a frame to continue to fill out.  As a prospect he showed a lot of intriguing tools.  His poise and pocket presence for a young signal caller were impressive.  I was really blown away with how well he moved within the pocket along with extending plays with his legs always keeping his eyes down the field for passes.  Can definitely tuck it and run when he needed.  One of his most impressive throws came scrambling against his body all the way to the sideline with a defender all over him delivering a dime to a wide out downfield.  Abrams had 3 touchdowns with one on a  quick pass to the outside where his guy went for 48 yards, 37 yard slant route, and a 16 yard throw over the middle.  Showed he can put touch on passes when needed and push it down the field with velo when that is required.  Sound footwork on bubble passes which were working in this game along with finding his backs in the passing game on swing/screen passes.  Right now holds only an offer from Iowa State where he will be at on Saturday.  He is a for sure P4 QB that will continue to see his stock rise.  Threw for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns.    Top Ranked 2027 Carmel QB Taylor Shows Elite Arm   The star quarterback on the other side was Carmel sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='426566' first='Trae' last='Taylor'].  He sits at #1 overall headlining a 2027 QB class that sees four of the top six prospects overall in the state at the position.  There are so many things to like about Taylor.  Listed at 6'2” 180 pounds he has a projectable frame and functional athleticism.  Very fluid and smooth with everything that he does.  The arm talent is evident.  He had some absolute on the money dimes throughout the evening that were just dropped despite hitting his pass catchers hands.  It was really the story of the night as he delivered a lot of passes that should have been caught.  Was without his star 2026 pass catcher [player_tooltip player_id='283926' first='Kai' last='Owens'] and it showed as he didn't get the help from his pass catchers dropping close to double digit passes.  Taylor did his part hitting them in the hands at a variety of levels.  He has such a strong arm that it really explodes off his hand especially on the intermediate routes.  At times we could see him taking a little off the fastball to make it more catchable.  Didn't really connect on any of his deep throws, but he showed he can really drive it down the field.  The mechanics and pocket presence were top notch.  Play fakes were excellent and excels in play action.  Has the ability to scramble on his own making plays with his legs extending plays as he went from one side of the field to the other on several occasions throughout the evening.  Solid runner that can tuck it and get up field when that is the best option.  Overall the aspect which stood out about Taylor maybe above everything else was his poise, leadership, and how mature he is.  It was a tough night for their team and Montini was talking smack all night.  He didn't ever get rattled and kept an even keel demeanor while moving on to the next play.  After the game we spoke with him in depth in an interview we will post.  One of the most refined interviews I have done with a 16 year old in my entire career.  He understands the game at a very advanced level.  Finished with 166 passing yards in this game.   Senior Running Backs Display College Potential   While the eyes were definitely on the two quarterbacks there were a couple of running backs that will be playing at the next level. Montini 2025 5'11” 205 pound running back [player_tooltip player_id='1564790' first='Jeremiah' last='Peterson'] is an absolute tank! He has a thick build and consistently punished defenders that tried to tackle him. Took multiple guys to bring him down and always kept moving forward driving his legs. More than just a power rusher as he displayed solid hands in the passing game as well out of the backfield on some swing and screen passes. [player_tooltip player_id='166514' first='Donovan' last='Dey'] is a 5'11” 195 pound back that checks in at #135 in the overall senior rankings. He is a back that showed he could run in between the tackles with a good feel for finding the hole and grinding out yards on the ground. Didn't have any massive runs, but it was the consistency and how hard he ran that impressed. Has solid vision and the ability to break tackles in the hole. Went for 126 yards. Both of these backs should get looks from FCS schools late in the process!   Sleeper Prospects That Caught Our Eye   There were a few under the radar players that caught our eye. Let's start with Carmel defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1292199' first='Jordan' last='McKie']. The 5'10” 2025 prospect currently checks in at #182 overall and showed some intriguing tools. He is very physical coming up in run support making several tackles bringing his defender down tackling with sound form. Can be a corner or nickel at the next level that brings solid coverage and is good in run support. Nose for the ball. Santino Florio is a 5'7” offensive weapon that has major juice! Took an early bubble screen for a long touchdown crossing the field and making defenders miss. Explosive speed which was also shown on a punt return that he scored on but was called back because of a penalty. Gadget guy at the next level! Montini wide out [player_tooltip player_id='1585203' first='CJ' last='Harkins'] is a 6'2” wide out that took an in breaking post for a 37-yard touchdown. Overall went for 5 catches and 90 yards on the night.   Projectable Defenders to Monitor   Wanted to take a look at a few defensive prospects that have the physical tools to play at the next level.  For Carmel it was 6'4” 220 pound edge [player_tooltip player_id='1292756' first='Marcellus' last='Nwalozie'].  Long and lanky frame with good strength.  Made a few plays in the run game getting down the line to make a play on the back.  Projectable 2025 prospect that a small college or FCS can continue to develop.  On the Montini side it was a pair of defensive lineman.  Senior defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1180017' first='Douglas' last='Mateo'] is a big body up front at 6'3” 330 pounds.  He was a major force as a run stuffer throughout the game either making the tackle or taking up blocks for his teammates to make plays behind him.  [player_tooltip player_id='1334146' first='Namari' last='Anderson'] is a top 10 2027 defensive line prospect at 6'3” 257 pounds.  He has size, strength, and super long arms!  The physical tools are all there.  Played on the edge, but we could also see him moving inside to tackle down the road as well.  He has explosiveness, quickness, and does a nice job using his hands for a young defensive lineman.  P4 ability no doubt!    Up and Down Night for Carmel Talented Offensive Line   We were really looking forward to seeing the three ranked Carmel offensive lineman in 2025 left tackle [player_tooltip player_id='832142' first='Tommy' last='Lamberti'], 2026 left guard [player_tooltip player_id='1236185' first='Jalin' last='Strowder'] , and 2027 right tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1335459' first='Trey' last='Foster'].  Watched them go through the paces in warm ups.  On the huff they look the part.  Lamberti is a tackle at 6'8” 315 pounds that moves pretty well and has long arms.  Unfortunately Lamberti got hurt in the game and was out for the second half.  Strowder caught our attention at the BOOM Midwest Trench Warfare camp in the spring.  He is a mammoth man at 6'3” 325 that can anchor inside and is a solid pass blocker.  Foster is more of a projection right now, but the tools are there for the 2027 as he stands at 6'3” 225 pounds.  Will need to continue to add strength, but the technique is there and has a lot of the physical tools that project well.  There were times where Carmel was able to run Dey behind these guys right down the field at a good pace for first downs.  They struggled inside the 10 yard line trying to punch it in with the run game as Montini's defensive line got the best of them in those situations.  Overall solid job in pass protection especially later in the game giving Taylor time to throw it.   Fireworks Show……Literally   Been to a lot of games and have never quite seen a fireworks show like there was at Montini.  Like in the sky fireworks!  They happened during pregame as Montini came on the field, during the national anthem, and then had a 10+ minute halftime fireworks display that was 4th of July worthy!

Friday night Prep Redzone was at Montini High School for a battle of two squads loaded with prospects with the headliners being two of the top 5 2027 prospects in the state who both happen to be quarterbacks. Montini jumped out to an early lead and never really looked back as they won 34-16. We dive into the contest and prospects in Takeaways: Montini vs Carmel!