Film Room: Juniors-to-Be with Breakout Potential

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's an important summer for juniors-to-be preparing for larger on-field roles this season. Teams will be filling the ones vacated by last year's graduates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a group of guys whose sophomore production indicates they might be able to take on more work:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1207827"],"_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-68155bae57532"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crowner operates in the one of the state's better programs. Most guys must wait their turn to impact the varsity. Crowner's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18233673/Logan-Crowner/highlights">sophomore highlight</a>s reveal an active presence on the defensive line. He explodes off of the snap and often is quicker than the guy trying to block him. Crowner can power through the opponent, too, and regularly separates from blocks. He operates as an end on the three-man front and kicks inside when it's four guys up there. He could climb the depth charter in 2025 and help the Jaguars continue play strong defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1207828"],"_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-68155bae575c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The four-time defending Class 5A state champions traditionally are strong in the trenches. It's a mixture of size and strength with their guys. Cunningham appears poised to join the fraternity as early as 2025 when we check out his sophomore highlights on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19412708/670589d06e26f34e9333ee4b">Hudl page</a>. With the program graduating plenty of production from last year's squad, the opportunity is there for him to move up the ladder. Cunningham mixes power and speed in accomplishing his mission, and should add more physicality to his game after another offseason with the champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1360430"],"_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-68155bae576c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dougherty was a pain for opposing defenses in 2024. The sophomore receiver hauled in 23 balls for 538 yards (23.4 YPC) and eight touchdowns. He could end up developing into a contributor at the position on the next level. Defensive back should also be in play. Dougherty intercepted six passes and recorded 12 solo tackles last fall. He kicked a 26-yard field goal and 40 extra points to boot. Dougherty's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19392012/677c00cffc774d3ba0aa34dc">sophomore highlight video</a> shows the speed to stretch the field, a playmaker in the back end of the defense and an accurate kicker. It feels like there's plenty of room for much more growth as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1453267"],"_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-68155bae57734"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dukes contributed on both sides of the ball as a sophomore in Class. 5A last season. He stood out on defense with 24.0 tackles (9 solo, 4.5 TFL) and a pair of fumble recoveries. Dukes added 57 yards and a touchdown rushing, and caught three passes for 39 yards. When we watch his sophomore highlights on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22838348/Cory-Dukes/highlights">Hudl page</a>, we see Dukes potential as a multi-dimensional running back. He's just more advanced at linebacker having had more reps there. Dukes runs well laterally processes what he's seeing fast, allowing him to get to the ball regularly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617712"],"_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-68155bae577a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eagle contributed 11.0 tackles (6 solo, 1.5 TFL) as a sophomore on the Muskie varsity in 2024. When watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19549591/67f55ed4956e7e329a582493">sophomore highlight video</a>, Eagle keeps his eyes on the opposing backfield has he takes care of his assignment. He operates within the defense and cashes in when the play comes his way. Eagle is effective coming off of either edge, playing with good tempo and determination. He's a well-rounded athlete, also wrestling and playing baseball at Muscatine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616422"],"_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-681579c5963f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elbert added a significant accomplishment to his prep football resume last season. The sophomore backup completed 8-of-12 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown during Wahlert's state championship game win against Humboldt. Elbert shared time behind center with a senior, so he should have a line on the starting job in 2025. We can witness his scoring pass in the title game in the first clip on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19390295/679513595256a9f1c114245c">sophomore highlight video</a>. The second play shows him completing a deep ball after taking a shot just before releasing a pass. Elbert stands out for his strong arm and the ease with he gets the ball down the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->