MI 2029 Rankings: Elite Watch List Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We just released a light update to the 2029 rankings, and we've got a ton of new additions on the Watch List (WL). Still, this is a WL-heavy class. With the younger classes, I typically like to wait until I have a confident top-100 or so. As a result, we have a ton of guys who will eventually be highly ranked who are currently on the WL. Below are five offensive players who are trending toward being ranked. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1610736"],"_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-697132dc659e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I feel good about Tristan developing into a strong Varisty QB. This past season, Tristan showed a lot of promise, as demonstrated by his highlights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scheme-wise, Tristan typically played in the shotgun and earned opportunities in a lot of 4-WR sets. Needless to say, he's in a very QB-friendly offense. The scheme translates to college very well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for his highlights, there's a little bit of everything. The tape begins with a couple of deep balls, which is always nice to see. 0:26 is a turning point, as Tristan throws a well-timed slant into the endzone. 0:54 is another really nice highlight, showcasing patience outside of the pocket, and great touch to the back of the endzone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like all freshman prospects, there are plenty of areas to nitpick. Though that's not what I'm here to do right now. Tristan showed that he can run a basic version of the Varsity offense, and as long as the IQ and mechanics keep improving, he'll be a great West Michigan QB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/25868512/6913a88d10678cbff3df56df' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697132dc66012"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1593099"],"_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-697132dc660cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Milton is a promising RB/OLB/DB, headlined by his athletic ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Milton showed flashes on Varisty. Watch 0:47- the DT wins in the B gap, and Milton smartly cuts into the C gap, and earns a few yards. At 0:57, Milton does a solid job following his blocks. All in all, it's a short highlight tape, and a little hard to get a decent evaluation. Though I can say confidently that Milton can showcase his burst a bit more. I'd love to see Milton accellerate quicker, and be more deicsive with the holes he hits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milton has also been working hard so far this offseason. Running with Rising Stars, he's done well at workouts/camps. I'm especially intrigued by his work as a receiver; his route running looks way more advanced than most 2029 RBs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I do expect Milton to develop into a great college prospect. He's got the athletic traits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26493118/6913b00acc4483b5a6c17478' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e`","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697132dc66130"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688216"],"_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-697132dc66203"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Combining standout measurables with standout effort is usually a recipe for greatness. It doesn't take long to turn on Dax's tape and immediately get very excited for his future at South Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Dax was utilized in several roles. Most of the highlights feature Dax as an off-ball TE, typically in the slot. The aspect of Dax's game that I'm most impressed with is his physicality. Check out 4:51. Dax does an awesome job blocking for the screen, locking onto the DB, and driving him backwards. Same with 2:00. Lining up at H-Back, Dax delivers a textbook reach block. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dax is not a super polished receiver yet, but the effort is great. Several highlights showcase high-end effort and physicality. Similar traits are shown on the defensive side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would be shocked if Dax didn't develop into a great college prospect. Love the effort and physicality shown, and Dax could be a household varsity name as soon as this Fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22878917/69066d0aab529b1a0ee6c5bb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697132dc66250"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688264"],"_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-697132dc662fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">George had himself a very good freshman season, and even got pulled up to the Varsity squad during the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kicking off George's tape is an excellent example of hands, focus, and body control. Running a fade from the 10 yard line, George gets thrown a slightly late and underthrown ball. The DB gets his head around and gets in an excellent position to break up the pass, but George reaches overtop, snags the ball, and gets his feet down. In fact, several highlights show George boxing out DBs in order to go up and get underthrown deep balls. One of his best traits. There are also moments of solid physicality and RAC, but he absolutely needs to improve in these areas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next season, George could be a good possession receiver for Brother Rice. He's a natural hands catcher, sports great focus, catches in traffic, and plays bigger than he is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/27073294/68fd814aeb7926ec3657289a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697132dc66348"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1653422"],"_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-697132dc663f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aiden is one of the most promising watch list offensive linemen in the class of 2029. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, he showed flashes. I'm most impressed with Aiden's physicality and effort in the run game. Play after play, Aiden's effort pops. His technique needs work, but I like that Aiden plays with leverage and tries to finish his blocks. There are several moments on tape where Aiden does a great job getting to his spot, but he sometimes struggles to drive his feet through his block. Regardless, I see a great foundation and a young prospect who will likely make strides this year. Hoping to see Aiden earn Varsity time this coming 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/3/20551793/6907ff1f0815db8cab8cdc11' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697132dc66441"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->