Uncovered Gems #12 – OK Red Offense #2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The more I write these articles, the more I believe the OK Red is the deepest league in Michigan. Seriously- SO much talent in this league and a pretty underrated league at that. It seems to me that the OAA Red, Catholic League, MAC Red all get most of the "best in state" props, and although those are amazing leagues, the OK Red may be better than them all. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, I'm taking a look at six more offensive players. This time, they're from West Ottawa, Hudsonville, Rockford, Caledonia, and East Kentwood. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1613787' first='Xander' last='Mullins']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"193","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"West Ottawa","_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-6768c3d936792"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Xander really stepped up and played well this season. I list him as a QB, but he's also a TE/WR. I bet he'd also play defense if you asked him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Filling in at QB, Xander was an extremely productive rushing threat. In fact, his tape immediately kicks off with a great outside scramble. At 0:39, he has another super impressive scramble. Although he only gains about 11 yards, I'm very impressed by his physicality. The next play (0:54), Xander shows off his arm with an insanely risky but perfectly accurate deep ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, I don't think Xander is a great QB yet. His throwing motion and accuracy look far too inconsistent. However, just by his physicality and effort, I could see him excel at several other positions. Xander will be ranked in the next update, and I'm excited to see what his Junior season holds! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19916017/671dbad74c20845194a1e46e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6768c3d9367b5"} /--> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1613792' first='Tucker' last='Kitchen']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_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":"Hudsonville","_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-6768c3d937050"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Great JV highlights from Tucker, especially if his height and weight are correct. Because man- if Tucker is truly 5'9" 185, that's EXTREMELY impressive based on the quality of these highlights. Very consistently, Tucker moved bodies out of the way for his running backs. Look at 0:33- great getoff, great pop on the defender, and drives him way backward. At 2:25, Tucker executes a great pull and perfectly blocks the DB. His footwork is still a bit wonky, but definitely nothing that can't be cleaned up in a year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Tucker can grow a little or just put on some weight, he'll be a great Varsity lineman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19829979/6740f2a02e7ac2cc255b8f84' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6768c3d937075"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1290929"],"_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-6768c3d93668c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yet another great running back at East Kentwood. Nasir is best described as an elusive back, but he also has solid contact balance and power for his size. Look at the play at 0:32- Nasir is forced to cut back, he then breaks a tackle, stumbles, jukes a man, then still manages to power through several defenders to earn extra yards. THAT is the type of effort I love to see from a smaller RB. The next play at 0:45 is pretty standard, but it still showcases his explosiveness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep training, hit the weights, and Nasir could eventually be a D2 prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18250180/6723aa41ba2a5336bd36e8e3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6768c3d9366ad"} /--> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1613794' first='Sam' last='Radosa']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_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":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hudsonville","_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-6768c3d936a41"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sam has solid JV highlights on both sides of the ball. Starting with offense, he has a solid goal line carry (first highlight), and at 0:41, GREAT contact balance on the pitch. Other plays like 2:20 show good effort as an on-ball linebacker. Still, Sam will need to become a bit faster and stronger if he wants to be a great Varsity player. I'll keep an eye out for Sam's Varsity highlights in 2025 or 2026! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19831277/6723a88c3e6d01f2c28be726' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6768c3d936a65"} /--> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1613796' first='Owen' last='Holt']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rockford","_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-6768c3d936406"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Every year it seems Rockford has a new breakout WR. Next year, that could be [player_tooltip player_id='1613796' first='Owen' last='Holt'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has solid JV highlights, as evidenced by his 547 yards and 6TDs. His tape begins with a deep post versus Muskegon, where he burns the DB and easily scores. His third highlight shows a very nice dig route. Good footwork there. Finally, the highlight at 1:46 shows an excellent kick return TD. Shows good straight-line speed and vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I know that Rockford has one of the biggest rosters in Michigan, but if Owen is able to crack the starting Varsity lineup next season, I could see him performing very, very well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18496559/674399af2b1d32398304bb72' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6768c3d936429"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1152709"],"_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-6768c3d9366ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last, we have a quick shoutout for Caledonia kicker [player_tooltip player_id='1152709' first='Landry' last='Mueller']. Good stats on the season- 2/3 field goals (hit from 31 and 30) plus 17-19 on PATs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having a good kicker is absolutely game-changing for any high school football program. Literally- it can change the course of several games throughout the season. If Landry is able to increase his range a bit while staying accurate, he'll be a phenomenal asset for next season. Also, working on punting is extremely valuable as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19755458/671d40164c20845194a16363' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6768c3d93670d"} /-->