Buckeye State Blitz 7v7: Day 1’s Best Playmakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a full day of football here in Lebanon, we got to see a TON of game changers and playmakers! Elite DBs, hard-to-guard receivers and more, Saturday had it all! Below are just a few of the top playmakers that made their mark early. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Prince-John Lard ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Liberty ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"330Xposed","_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-69c89ce3e15c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Prince kicked things off this morning with a bang. He was extremely impressive on the outside, with multiple reps where he was just too athletic to guard. He understands how to use leverage and speed to his advantage and create separation. When he cuts, he is able to slow quickly and change direction without tipping off which way he's going. When the ball came his way, he was sure handed and didn't have any drops. Great day 1 for Prince and his team! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1089872"],"_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-69c89ce3e162e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kane was one of the quickest athletes on the field today, which allowed him to be an absolute YAC monster. He took quick slants and turned them into explosive chunks plays with great speed, vision and agility. He hits his top-end speed quickly and creates a mismatch, especially over the middle when linebackers are attempting to stop him. Super impressive day 1 for Kane, who will undoubtedly be utilized heavily during bracket play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2143022"],"_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-69c89ce3e1678"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jack was very impressive all day, but his statement moment came when he made an incredibly circus catch in traffic in the end zone. It was a microcosm of what was a really impressive day for the freshman. His great route running and impressive vertical made him a mismatch, especially for smaller defensive backs who had a hard time jumping with him. I absolutely love the way he catches the ball away from his body, and has late hands when the ball comes his way. Croft could be an absolute weapon in crunch time if it comes down to it on Championship Sunday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["432324"],"_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-69c89ce3e16bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Defensive backs had an absolutely horrible time trying to cover Jamel on Saturday. His ability to get open was impressive enough, but even when he didn't get separation, he was still able to go up and get the ball. 50/50 balls are not 50/50 when Hammary goes up for it. This played out perfectly towards the end of one of their games, where the QB just threw it up for Jamel, and he went up and snagged it with one hand just inside the back pylon. His size and athleticism allow him to be open, even when it doesn't seem like it. Sunday should be a great one for Jamel and his HARM team! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665598"],"_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-69c89ce3e16fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You could tell almost immediately, Andrew was different. He's long and lanky, but doesn't move like it. His arms are tight to the body, and he flips his hips and finds the ball better than anyone I saw today. As far as technical skill and raw ability go, he was the best DB I laid eyes on today. He already has a few offers, and I suspect there will be more on the way before long. His upside is sky-high, and I suspect he is going to create some more havoc on Sunday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1706089"],"_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-69c89ce3e173b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Christian has tremendous size, and absolutely knows how to use it. Especially in the red zone or when his team needs a first down, Christian is able to box his man out and get position, where he can then utilize his size. Defensive backs had a difficult time trying to fight through his size, especially when Lawson broke off his route abruptly. If he is able to come up big in those spots again on Championship Sunday, G.A.B.O.S will be an incredibly tough out! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->