Login Subscribe
    • Players/Parents
    • College Coaches
  • Choose Your State Middle School Coverage
    Alabama
    Arizona
    Arkansas
    California
    Canada
    Colorado
    Dakotas
    Florida
    Georgia
    Idaho
    Illinois
    Indiana
    Iowa
    Kansas
    Kentucky
    Louisiana
    Maryland
    Michigan
    Minnesota
    Mississippi
    Missouri
    Nebraska
    Nevada
    New England
    New Jersey
    New Mexico
    New York
    North Carolina
    Ohio
    Oklahoma
    Oregon
    Pennsylvania
    South Carolina
    Tennessee
    Texas
    Utah
    Virginia
    Washington
    West Virginia
    Wisconsin
  • Loading...
  • Loading...
  • Tournaments
    • 7 on 7 7 on 7
    Showcases
    • Stock Up Showcase Tour Stock Up Showcase Tour
    About Our Events
  • Prep Redzone for
    • Players
    • Parents
    • Club Coaches
    • High School Coaches
    • College Coaches
    • Fans
    View All Features
    • Coverage Access Prep Redzone articles year-round without ads.
    • Rankings See how players stack up in each state.
    • Player Profiles Build your own profile and join the Prep Redzone database.
    • Coach Views Get notified when a college coach views your profile.
    • Profile Trends Track your Player Profile views over time.
    • Recruiting Tasks Stay on-track in the recruiting process
    • Recruiting Dashboard All your recruiting tools in a single place.
    • College Match Recommends colleges that match with your profile.
    • Coach Contacts Contact any program in the country.
    • Event Credits Save $25 on all Prep Redzone combines.
    • Recruiting Tips Become an expert on the recruiting process.
    • College Email Templates Send customized emails directly to college coaches.
    • Scouts
    • How We Rank
    • About Us
  • Ohio
  • Rankings
    • How We Rank

    • Archived Rankings

    • 2026 Rankings

    • 2027 Rankings

    • 2028 Rankings

  • Player Database
    • 2025 Team Previews

  • Team Rankings
  • Scores
  • Scouts
  • Home
  • Coverage
      Choose Your State Middle School Coverage
      Alabama
      Arizona
      Arkansas
      California
      Canada
      Colorado
      Dakotas
      Florida
      Georgia
      Idaho
      Illinois
      Indiana
      Iowa
      Kansas
      Kentucky
      Louisiana
      Maryland
      Michigan
      Minnesota
      Mississippi
      Missouri
      Nebraska
      Nevada
      New England
      New Jersey
      New Mexico
      New York
      North Carolina
      Ohio
      Oklahoma
      Oregon
      Pennsylvania
      South Carolina
      Tennessee
      Texas
      Utah
      Virginia
      Washington
      West Virginia
      Wisconsin
  • Events
      Tournaments
      • 7 on 7 7 on 7
      Showcases
      • Stock Up Showcase Tour Stock Up Showcase Tour
      About Our Events
  • Rankings
      Loading...
  • Scores
      Loading...
  • Features
      Prep Redzone for
      • Players
      • Parents
      • Club Coaches
      • High School Coaches
      • College Coaches
      • Fans
      View All Features
      • Coverage Access Prep Redzone articles year-round without ads.
      • Rankings See how players stack up in each state.
      • Player Profiles Build your own profile and join the Prep Redzone database.
      • Coach Views Get notified when a college coach views your profile.
      • Profile Trends Track your Player Profile views over time.
      • Recruiting Tasks Stay on-track in the recruiting process
      • Recruiting Dashboard All your recruiting tools in a single place.
      • College Match Recommends colleges that match with your profile.
      • Coach Contacts Contact any program in the country.
      • Event Credits Save $25 on all Prep Redzone combines.
      • Recruiting Tips Become an expert on the recruiting process.
      • College Email Templates Send customized emails directly to college coaches.
  • About Us
      • Scouts
      • How We Rank
      • About Us
  • Support
Login Subscribe

Five Southeast Ohio Playmakers

Five Southeast Ohio Playmakers
Photo: Calvin Lorek Calvin Lorek
Bryan Ault
Bryan Ault January 10, 2025 @ 11:34 AM
Facebook
X (Formerly Twitter)

In this article:

Calvin Lorek
Calvin Lorek 6'3" | 240 lbs | EDGE/DL | 2026
OH
Zion Starr
Zion Starr 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB | 2026
OH
Brayden Smart
Brayden Smart 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB | 2026
OH
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recruiting season is really heating up with college coaches visiting schools and extending offers to top players. Here are five standouts:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1572326"],"_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-67815a11682f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lorek should be featured in our Tuesday Trench Talk, but he's too good to wait until next week. He has a good first step, strong skills as a pass rusher and has great edge speed. If he continues to grow and develop the sky is the limit for his potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1232586"],"_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-67815a1168382"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smart was 114 for 198 for 1,873 yards and 26 total touchdowns. He has good accuracy in the short to intermediate game.</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":"Zaiden Nichols","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_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":"Western Brown","_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-67815a116847e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nichols is flying under-the-radar in recruiting. He is a two-way player, contributing on both offense as a receiver and defense as a safety. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound prospect's college fit is likely at safety, where he flashes good ball skills, range and is strong in coverage.</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":"Laken Pierce","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_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":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Beavercreek","_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-67815a116855d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although he is more of a linear route runner, Pierce has great a great size-speed ratio and can take the ball to the house. He displays good adjustment to the ball over the middle of the field and has a wide catch radius. Also contributes on defense as a corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1314039"],"_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-67815a11685cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Starr is slightly undersized but he has outstanding ball skills with good leaping ability and is a solid cover corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

Recruiting season is really heating up with college coaches visiting schools and extending offers to top players. Here are five standouts:

Calvin Lorek

Calvin Lorek

HEIGHT 6'3"
WEIGHT 240
POS EDGE/DL
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Calvin
Lorek EDGE/DL
Class
2026
Height
6'3"
Weight
240
HS
Loveland
|
OH
Five Southeast Ohio Playmakers
Lorek should be featured in our Tuesday Trench Talk, but he’s too good to wait until next week....
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Calvin Lorek

Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Loveland
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Brayden Smart

Brayden Smart

OH
QB
HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 185
POS QB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Brayden
Smart QB
Class
2026
Height
6'1"
Weight
185
HS
Roger Bacon
|
OH
Five Southeast Ohio Playmakers
Smart was 114 for 198 for 1,873 yards and 26 total touchdowns. He has good accuracy in the...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Brayden Smart

Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Roger Bacon
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Zaiden Nichols

Zaiden Nichols

HEIGHT 6'3"
WEIGHT 190
POS DB
CLASS 2026

Zaiden Nichols

School: Western Brown
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Laken Pierce

Laken Pierce

HEIGHT 6'3"
WEIGHT 185
POS WR
CLASS 2026

Laken Pierce

School: Beavercreek
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Zion Starr

Zion Starr

OH
DB
HEIGHT 5'10"
WEIGHT 160
POS DB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Zion
Starr DB
Class
2026
Height
5'10"
Weight
160
HS
Lakota West
|
OH
Five Southeast Ohio Playmakers
Starr is slightly undersized but he has outstanding ball skills with good leaping ability and is a solid...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Zion Starr

State: Ohio
School: Lakota West
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Prep Redzone

Access all of Prep Redzone

Continue reading this article and more.

Continue Reading
Already a subscriber? Log in

Rankings

608 Players Ranked

  • 1
    Elbert Hill

    Elbert Hill

    Hoban

    USC
  • 2
    Maxwell Riley

    Maxwell Riley

    Avon Lake

    Ohio State
  • 3
    Victor Singleton

    Victor Singleton

    Toledo Central Catholic

    Texas A&amp;M
  • 4
    Cam Thomas

    Cam Thomas

    Lakota West

    Illinois
  • 5
    Shahn Alston

    Shahn Alston

    Harvey

    USC
View Full Rankings

Related Articles

  • Young Bucks in the Buckeye State: 2029s To Know

    Young Bucks in the Buckeye State: 2029s To Know

    Bryan Ault • October 8

  • Small School Studs: Region 25 Prospects With Bright Futures

    Small School Studs: Region 25 Prospects With Bright Futures

    Bryan Ault • October 7

  • LAUNCH: Prep Redzone 7 on 7 Circuit

    LAUNCH: Prep Redzone 7 on 7 Circuit

    Eric Gardner • October 7

  • Five Small School Standouts in Region 28

    Five Small School Standouts in Region 28

    Bryan Ault • October 6

  • Big Stat Studs For Week 7

    Big Stat Studs For Week 7

    Bryan Ault • October 5

Follow Us

  • Jared Luginbill

    Jared Luginbill

    @jaredluginbill

  • Mike Robinson

    Mike Robinson

    @coach_mikerob

  • Tyler Stevens

    Tyler Stevens

    @TylerStevens94

Loading...
Home Ohio Five Southeast Ohio Playmakers

Prep Network

  • Prep Network
  • Prep Dig
  • Prep Girls Hoops
  • Prep Hoops
  • Prep Lacrosse
  • Prep Redzone
  • Prep Soccer
  • Prep Softball

Company

  • News
  • About
  • Careers
  • Store
  • Partner Interest Form

Resources

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Cookie Policy
  • NCSA College Recruiting
  • Recruiting Tips
  • Student Loan Resources
  • College Scholarship Search

Support

  • My Account
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Prep Redzone. All rights reserved.