Cherry on Top of the Eau Claire Region

We haven't had to go three articles deep to cover a region up until this point. However, the city of Eau Claire and surrounding cities have so many athletes to know about that we are back for a third article. Almost every school in the area is again represented in this group of seven athletes. Similar to other articles in this series, we have athletes from all over the field and with levels of talent primarily for the D2/D3 levels. Let's dive in and finish this region of the state off strong!    Brett is an athlete who we could see take on a more consistent varsity role this fall. The junior is a 5'10" 185 lbs athlete, undersized at LB but the agile athlete has the tape showing he can play in the box. He is able to slip through traffic without getting hung up on blocks, and Brett is a pretty stout tackler on top of it. Look for the '26 to make his presence felt more this fall. Check out his junior highlights below.      Kahne is a very intriguing junior DL prospect. He has a budding frame at 6'4" 240 lbs and easily carries it, suggesting he can handle more weight if needed. Kahne plays DE in the Memorial 3 man front. Lyons is at his best using his quickness to cross the face of the OL or shoot through a gap. He does well getting skinny to slip between OL too. When he can position himself to only have to beat half a man Kahne is able to win consistently. This summer and fall I want to see Lyons come back stronger and play more stout at times. The potential and tools are there to tap in.      Carter is an athlete in position for more work in 2025 than he did in 2024. Last season we saw Carter go for 35/203/2 on the ground and also make 26 tackles on defense. Even at just 5'8" 155 lbs, Carter has shown he can rip through arm tackle attempts. He is patient to follow his blocks and let them open up the lane for him before flashing the burst to top speed. Carter brings that same surprising physicality to defense where he is a reliable open field tackler as a DB. A lot of productive seniors graduate and leave behind plenty of production for him to try and earn this fall. Keep an eye on him.      Unfortunately, there isn't really any film to go off of from the very productive LB out of Altoona. Johnson is undersized at 5'9" 185 lbs but he is all over the field making plays. Isaac led Altoona in tackles, TFLs, and sacks in 2024. Overall he collected 90 tackles, 9 TFLs, 1 sack, and an INT. It will come down to how he plays athletically and what future tape shows, but his versatile production and frame could have him as a nickel in the future.      The leading rusher for Altoona will be back in 2025. Last season Exavier Jandt finished with 86 carries, 457 yards, and 5 TDs on the ground. Jandt plays FB in the Altoona offense and does well with his responsibilities. The junior is a one cut, get up field runner. He plays behind his pads and runs his feet through contact. Exavier is able to pick up the tough yards and also has shown the ability to slip out of the backfield as a receiver. The '26 has solid speed too when he does get out into the open field. Keep an eye on the FB this fall as he looks to continue to wear down defenses.      Jaylyn is coming off a strong junior season that has him on our radars and in position for a big senior campaign. He finished 2024 with 38 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, and an INT at CB. He also was second on the team as a receiving threat with 16 receptions, 209 yards and a TD. On defense I am a big fan of Jaylyn's change of direction, acceleration, and closing speed. Coming off that closing speed the junior does an excellent job of tackling too. That quickness and body control also help him be a sudden route runner on offense. I believe the junior best projects as a CB with his tackling, agility, quickness, and ball skills. Check out his CB highlights. He is one of the top defenders from the region returning this season.      OLB Collin Clary is coming off a productive junior season with 44 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 blocked kick, and a scoop and score TD. Collin plays with excellent range, easily getting into the backfield from the off-ball OLB position to make TFLs. Clary does really well setting the edge vs the run too. You see him battle to keep contain and also has the lateral mobility to square up and make the tackle on an RB 1 on 1 in the open field. Coaches should check out Collin's quickness and physicality that he brings to the field.

We haven't had to go three articles deep to cover a region up until this point. However, the city of Eau Claire and surrounding cities have so many athletes to know about that we are back for a third article. Almost every school in the area is again represented in this group of seven athletes. Similar to other articles in this series, we have athletes from all over the field and with levels of talent primarily for the D2/D3 levels. Let's dive in and finish this region of the state off strong!