The Watch List- North Alabama Prospects With Big Seasons Ahead

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to The Watch List!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're watching some talented prospects out of North Alabama who've already been impressing in the opening week of the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have a talented group here today- make sure to check out their tape below!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1852688"],"_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-68aca7441f0c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1852688' first='Charleston' last='Owens'] is a talented 2028 QB out of Madison Academy everyone should have on their radar moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After starting and impressing in his freshman season, Owens is set up for a big sophomore season this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Owens has impressive arm talent. He has great arm strength and throws with great anticipation and accuracy, leading his WRs for huge plays deep downfield. I'm just as impressed with Owens' speed and ability to make plays on the move. He's quick on his feet, does a great job keeping his eyes downfield, and is a talented dual threat that defenses will have to look out for moving forward.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Friday, Owens did a great job getting the ball out quickly and made some really impressive throws on the move in his team's matchup against Mars Hill. Although they weren't able to secure the win, I'm excited to see how Owens and Madison Academy's season unfolds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure you check out some of Owens' Week 0 tape below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19050762/68abcb5d0f149a59781308f7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68aca7441f395"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1852707"],"_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-68aca7441f418"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1852707' first='Cayne' last='McClure'] is a talented 2027 athlete from East Lawrence who has lined up and produced at WR, CB, QB, and OLB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"No matter where he lines up on offense, McClure is dangerous with the ball. He has great speed, is highly elusive, and can quickly cut and change his direction to create huge gains in the open field. I'm seriously impressed with his skills as a rusher. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Defensively, McClure can defend the run and pass at a high level. He has a high football IQ and impressive speed he uses to make sideline-to-sideline plays. When you combine that with his skill in coverage, it makes him someone you don't want to put the ball near."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few months back, McClure picked up his first offer from North Alabama! With his versatile skill set, I'm sure more programs will reach out to him soon. We're gonna have to watch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McClure put together a huge sophomore year last fall. Take a look at some of his highlights below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18343386/67409f28f6497cbd050152e4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68aca7441f459"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1852717"],"_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-68aca7441f4d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1852717' first='Cam' last='Ballinger'] is a dominant WR out of Brewer that everyone needs to know moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>'At 6'4 180, Ballinger has the size, speed, and hands to dominate secondaries out wide. He's great at using his size to his advantage. He does a great job climbing the ladder and high-pointing the ball</em> <em>for huge catches over the tops of defenders.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm most impressed with Ballinger's athleticism. He moves really well at his size and can effortlessly change his direction and evade defenders in the open field. There's a ton to like with Ballinger's game; he's a complete WR with a huge year ahead.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently, Ballinger lists offers from North Alabama and Murray State. I won't be surprised if more schools send them his way soon. He's off to a hot start this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballinger started this season off with a huge performance against Hayden, racking up 170 all-purpose yards, a receiving TD, a punt return TD, and creating huge blocks as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take a look at some of Ballinger's highlights from this week. He came up huge in Brewer's 26-6 win, and is a player we'll all have to look out for moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18852035/68ab62695000976562fe7cba' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68aca7441f50d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1852747"],"_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-68aca7441f577"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1852747' first='MaCarri' last='Johnson'] is an explosive RB/ATH from West Morgan who started his season up with a huge performance last Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Johnson is explosive with the ball in his hands. He's quick out of the backfield, has great vision, and impressive speed/acceleration he uses to carve up defenses on the ground. Once Johnson gets into the open field, good luck stopping him. He can easily separate and outrun defenders; it's impressive to watch. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm most impressed with Johnson's contact balance. He is fantastic at staying on his feet and consistently shakes off defenders to keep plays moving upfield.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson found a ton of success on the ground this week in his team's 41-14 win over Randolph. He racked up 19 carries for 131 yards and 4 TDs on the ground, and a great punt return as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out some of Johnson's tape from last season. He's a talented prospect with tons to offer; we'll have to keep watching him down the stretch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15008641/675d0dc81e7dd28f4f415097' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68aca7441f5ae"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1852781"],"_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-68acafbfd2841"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1852781' first='Ollie' last='Howell'] is a dominant RB out of West Point who's started his senior season on the right foot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"At 6'2 225, Howell is an extremely tough RB to take do</em>wn. <em>He runs hard, has impressive contact balance, and has the strength and physicality to require multiple defenders to stop him every carry. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Howell also has impressive speed and vision. He's patient behind the line of scrimmage, is great at following his blocks, and can quickly turn upfield for huge gains on the ground."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howell dominated in his team's 30-6 win over Haleyville, carrying the ball 19 times for 147 rushing yards and 2 TDs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take a look at Howell's junior tape below- you'll come away impressed. We'll have to keep track of him moving forward. He's off to a hot start this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17908619/6739521f2e6d268f865e71c8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68acafbfd2a3d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->