West Michigan Breakout Season?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two weeks in, a ton of players are beginning to prove themselves. Most of these players are taking massive steps up this season, going from Varsity role players to Varsity stars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1049451"],"_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-68c1d5616301f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's no secret that Hudsonville lost most of its 2024 starters due to graduation. Last season, Tyler eventually earned his Varsity snaps, even getting in for a significant portion of the State Championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year, he's stepping up in a big way in what seems to be a full-time starting role. At 0:24, Tyler does a great job reading the short out route and exploding toward the WR for a big hit. Really good play recognition there. Next play, Tyler does something very similar against Byron Center. Sees the out route, and tackles the receiver before any damage is done. Then, at 0:47, Tyler contains the edge and earns a TFL. Finally, at 1:25, we get to see a glimpse of man coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This tape proves that Tyler is a willing tackler, plays fast, and can stop the run. Additionally, I like Tyler's change of direction and all-around athletic ability. Not a whole lot to go off of, but I am very intrigued. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19825095/68bfb27ad27c25ec359e2be4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68c1d5616306d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1613533"],"_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-68c1d561630ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1613533' first='Brandon' last='Holman'] had a big week 1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Brandon earned a significant amount of Varsity snaps. This year, he seems to be a full-time starter on both sides of the ball. The first play on Brandon's tape shows a very impressive pick-6. The QB let the ball sail for far too long, Brandon got in front of it, and took it to the house. A few more defensive plays on tape, but I can't tell just how much Brandon has improved as a corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lots of carries for Brandon. At 0:35, Brandon follows his blocks perfectly, shakes off a defender, and scores easily. At 1:02, Brandon takes the direct snap and follows his blocks to the sideline. I really like the uptick in carries for Brandon this season. Seeing some nice burst, and solid vision. 100% a breakout player two weeks into the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20384344/68b9b4cc957cdbb717792795' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68c1d56163125"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1170718"],"_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-68c1d561631a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This past spring, I was lucky enough to get a great in-person look at [player_tooltip player_id='1170718' first='Kingston' last='Nixon'] at an MHSAA Evaluation Camp. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, we have a little bit of game film from Kingston! Unsurprisingly, most of these highlights are run stops. Kingston checks some of the most important boxes when it comes to stopping the run. First off, he's a sound tackler. Plays like 0:49 and 0:57 show good 1-on-1 open-field tackling. Good job wrapping up and securing the ball carrier. Furthermore, Kingston's play recognition is about average. He gets the job done, but could react a little bit faster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are also some offensive highlights. 0:24 shows a deep crosser, beating man coverage for an 88-yard gain. 1:11 seems like a bit of a broken play, but Kingston does a nice job improvising, making a good catch, and earning good yardage before the fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like Kinston's tackling and his offensive explosiveness. I've always loved Kingston's upside, and look forward to seeing him continue to improve and break out throughout this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18407347/68b1d1d1ef558096d7651c90' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68c1d561631d7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1298563"],"_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-68c1d56163267"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Max keeps on improving. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A solid power rusher. Max's second highlight below shows him getting a near-free ride into the backfield, thus earning a TFL. Next highlight, Max reads the pulling linemen beautifully, and earns yet another TFL. At 0:33, Max again easily overpowers the offensive tackle and gets a tackle. Same with 0:45, but this time it's a QB hit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Max is going to continue overpowering most offensive tackles he faces. I know from watching him up close at camps that Max is built well, and has amazing high school DE upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19845368/68bbbc1f2172dda1ab4077ae' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68c1d561632b3"} /--> <!-- 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":"Easton Wychers","_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":"180","_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":"Byron Center","_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-68c45ac0ece83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Easton has been leading the charge for Byron Center. I've heard a lot about Easton in the offseason, and I was able to see what he could do against a very strong East Kentwood team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unsurprisingly, his style of play reminds me of Tungate, BC's QB from last season. Can make plays with his legs, always looking downfield, and is able to deliver accurate balls to open receivers. A great improviser who should lead Byron Center to another great record this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->