Arkansas 6A Playoffs – Prospect Watch

The 2024 Arkansas High School Football playoffs begin this week. The path to the state championship is more challenging than ever. Here are five prospects to watch during the playoffs in 6A.    [player_tooltip player_id='976597' first='Jackson' last='England'], the pro-style quarterback, has led his team to a 9-1 record and earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs. He has completed 131 out of 237 passes (55%) for a total of 1,930 yards, with 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He is a solid decision-maker with solid mental processing skills. England showcases solid ball placement at all levels of the field, demonstrating solid anticipation that generates yards after the catch opportunities for his receivers. England can extend plays, maintaining downfield vision when forced out of the pocket and delivering throws under pressure.   Note – Multi-Sport Athlete   X: <a href="https://x.com/JacksonEngland9">https://x.com/JacksonEngland9</a>     [player_tooltip player_id='1241685' first='Champ' last='Davis'] is a dominant prospect on the field. Pre-season, I stated, "he exhibits a playstyle similar to Deebo Samuel" due to his ability to dominate at both running back and wide receiver. At wide receiver, he displays a quick release vs Man Coverage due to good foot quickness coupled with acceleration and balance, allowing him to eat up space quickly. Following that release, he can quickly create separation over the top, showcasing a remarkable stop-and-go capability that causes defenders to commit. His ability to separate on breaks is due to good change of direction, body control, balance, and burst, providing the quarterback with a window. He has good and strong hands due to good hand-eye coordination, ball tracking, and body control, enabling him to catch the ball from his frame and secure catches in the contest. Davis can also adjust mid-route to snag passes that are behind or too high, high-pointing the football. His attributes also translate into efficient route running and a threat after the catch (YAC), due to his elusiveness, lateral agility, change of direction, and burst, which allow him to execute sharp cuts or quickly get up field. Out of the backfield, he displays good post-snap vision and patience, reading first-level defenders and locating running lanes, bursting through gaps with good burst. His impressive contact balance, leg drive, and pad level enable him to break tackles consistently.   Offer List: Nebraska   Note – 4.3 GPA   X: <a href="https://x.com/iamchampdavis">https://x.com/iamchampdavis</a>     [player_tooltip player_id='1449608' first='JJ' last='Johnson'], a freshman, is moving up to the high school level for the playoffs. It is unusual for a freshman to play or make an impact in the playoffs, but with his talent, he has the potential to make a few key plays on Friday night against Jonesboro. He displays solid post-snap vision, demonstrating the patience to follow his blockers and find running lanes. Johnson possesses good burst and acceleration, which allows him to quickly break away from the first and second levels of defense. Additionally, he displays good speed, lateral agility, quick change of direction, and solid contact balance.   Note - 4.0 GPA   X: <a href="https://x.com/thejjjohnson2/status/1855629414513426434">https://x.com/thejjjohnson2/status/1855629414513426434</a>     [player_tooltip player_id='1142032' first='Rico' last='Ward'] is one of the standout running backs for Marion, aiming to make an impact against Van Buren in the first round. Ward displays solid post-snap vision and good patience to follow blockers and let running lanes develop in between the tackles or bounce outside with a good burst. He's able to beat second-level defenders to the sideline and accelerate upfield. He has good foot quickness, lateral agility, and a change of direction ability, enabling him to navigate through gaps and make cuts in the backfield or make defenders miss in space. Ward maintains good contact balance, utilizing active feet and leg drive to power through defenders.   Note – 3.5 GPA   X: <a href="https://x.com/Ricoward15">https://x.com/Ricoward15</a>     [player_tooltip player_id='191607' first='Hudson' last='Ball'] is considered one of the top defensive prospects in the 6A state playoffs. Shiloh Christian has a bye and will face the winner of Marion and Van Buren. Ball dominates against both the run and passing game, showcasing his sideline-to-sideline motor. Good bull rusher due to good lower body strength, acceleration, and hand placement. He engages quickly to extend and drive back the OL or speed to power combined with good pad level, allowing him to gain leverage to put pressure into the pocket or make a play in the backfield. Dominates base and reach blocks due to good processing skills to diagnose base/reach blocks with good pad level, reaction, hand placement, and timing to extend and lift or drive the OL due to his ability to attack the shoulder, control and reading with good up field burst with the ability to disengage. Ball is a guy with good athletic ability and foot quickness who can consistently win off the edge 1v1, putting pressure on the quarterback/backfield. Expect him to wreak havoc consistently.   Note – 4-7 Tech   Offer List: UNLV (Committed 08/08/2024), Arkansas State, Fordham, Lindenwood, North Texas, & UCF   X: <a href="https://x.com/HudsonBall22">https://x.com/HudsonBall22</a>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/Gb88tuqW8AAg4Bx.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1555359" /></figure>

The 2024 Arkansas High School Football playoffs begin this week. The path to the state championship is more challenging than ever. Here are five prospects to watch during the playoffs in 6A.