MI’s Best Small School Prospects in the District Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a big week for all 128 programs still alive in the postseason. By Saturday evening, the field will be cut down to just 64 teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most of the coverage (including my own) has been focused on the D1 and D2 brackets. Today, we'll be taking a look at five of the best small school (D5-D8) prospects taking the field this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["568150"],"_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-690ba6018b8d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Purdue commit should have a field day against West Catholic. Playing from his off-ball OLB position, I'm expecting Brayden to have several solo tackle opportunities. West Catholic will try to get the ball out into the flat, and Brayden will have to cover a lot of ground, all while avoiding blockers. Brayden will also play a big role in stopping WC's inside run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brayden has always done a great job tackling. He doesn't only wrap up and bring his guy down, but Brayden does an excellent job driving the ball carrier backward and not allowing any extra yardage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The #1 linebacker to watch in West Michigan this weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1327706"],"_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-690ba6018b97d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keegan is as consistent as they come. Always brings the energy, always brings the physicality, and you can always count on Keegan to lead the team in big-time playoff games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berrien Springs is going to have to force the ball away from Keegan. He's extremely good in man + zone coverage, and I honestly don't think Berrien Springs has the athletes to get open against him. Additionally, Keegan has made strides as a run stopper. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, Keegan is also an excellent weapon on offense. He should be a major factor in all three phases of the game this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1648003"],"_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-690ba6018b9e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lumen Christi's most promising young ATH. Of course, when I see a game-breaking ATH for Lumen, I think of KaDale Williams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ayden is a similar player to KaDale. Patient runner, quick to hit top speed, and is showing quite a bit of promise with his contact balance. His power and contact balance aren't quite there with D1 prospects yet, but it's on its way. Ayden does a great job staying balanced through arm tackles, and has moments where he's able to fully absorb hits without giving up much momentum. Right now, Ayden is an excellent running back in the D6 bracket. In a few years, I expect Ayden to develop into a D1 guy- that's how much I like his tape. </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":"AJ Sivil","_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":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"240","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ida","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-690ba6018bad3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Good luck running the ball into the A gap against Ida. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AJ is a towering defender. A massive presence in the middle of the defensive line, and someone who will rarely, if ever, get moved. Stopping the inside run comes relatively easily for AJ, as all he needs to do most of the time is anchor himself in the A gap. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm actually more impressed with what AJ is able to do outside of the tackles. I don't think AJ is super explosive or bendy, but I DO love his effort and motor. Several times on tape, AJ is able to earn TFLs late in the play, mostly due to his unrelenting effort. The opposing team could be running outside toss, and AJ will make sure he's there to stop the cutback lane. Super high-motor DT who should have a great game against Ecorse. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1225740"],"_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-690ba6018bb49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The man to watch for West Catholic. It's been a long time coming for the senior QB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Every single year, Grady has improved. This season, he's proven to be a super reliable, consistent QB. Doesn't matter if it's 2nd and 2 or 3rd and 15- Grady is an experienced, comfortable QB who knows how to execute the next play. He's done a better job than ever of getting the ball out quickly, but I also think he's improved when throwing off-schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, this Friday's game against Catholic Central is massive, but I don't think any sort of pressure is going to get to Grady- he's ready for this. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->