Prep Redzone WI Showcase MVPs

<p>The Prep Redzone WI Exposure Showcase is in the books! The event brought out a great cross-section of talent from the Classes of 2027-2029. That included several of the best uncommitted 2027s and multiple top ranked 2028s and 2029s. That set the stage for a very competitive day where nearly every rep was a quality rep vs high level competition. The highly competitive environment brought out the best of these guys too as we would see several of the premier talents bring home MVP honors after proving their dominance throughout the day. Today we recap the day of those MVPs. Let's dive in position by position!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterback MVP</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">I had written about Eli coming into the event as one of the players I was most excited to watch live. The '27 QB delivered on that hype with an MVP winning performance. The '27 QB left no doubt that he is one of the state's best QBs. Checking in with a strong frame at 6'1" 199 lbs, Eli looked the part more than ever. Once we got to the routes on air and 1 on 1 reps it was time to tune into Eli's performance.</p>   <p>Among a large group of QBs Eli's arm stood out from the crowd. The way the ball jumps out of his hand was different from the rest of the field. His smooth mechanics made it look easy for him to create that velocity. The repetitive motion also allows him to be so accurate with his ball placement. Placement all over the field too from the sideline on out routes to up the sideline, or on quicker routes underneath. Eli demonstrated fantastic control and understanding of how to get the ball to his man so they could have the best shot to make a play on the ball without it being at risk of turnover. Coaches, Eli is undoubtedly a QB you need to get on campus this summer and watch throw live.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Running Back MVP</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">If I was to give out an MVP for the entire event it would go to [player_tooltip player_id='1315891' first='Kain' last='Strong']. The '27 RB out of West De Pere has made a massive leap in his development this offseason. He has built a jacked up frame that looks ready to tote the rock 15+ times every Friday this fall. The 1 on 1 battles let him show that he can also very easily add another 3-5 touches a game through the air. Kain is outstanding as a receiver. He has natural hands and has the route running prowess to not just be a checkdown option, but someone you can split out or run routes out of the backfield.</p>   <p>The lower body explosiveness shined in everything Kain did throughout the day. That started with a 10'5" and 10'6" efforts in the broad jump. Then in 1 on 1 run drills vs LBs Kain showed how that powerful lower body gave him the ability to either cut on a dime or accelerate up the sideline and leave LBs with bad angles of pursuit. We are going to see a big leap up our boards for Strong. What a day from the West De Pere RB. A legitimate backfield weapon that coaches need to watch live if they haven't already.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wide Receiver MVP</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Sam left the Showcase on Sunday as a repeat MVP at WR. There is no questioning the talent of the '27 WR. The kid shows up and dominates. Just this past weekend he attended the Bemidji State camp and left with an offer from the Beavers. Then Sunday he came out and went home with MVP honors.</p>   <p>Sam was another athlete who I identified as an athlete I wanted to see heading into the event and obviously he delivered. With the Madison Memorial WR it is all about route running. The '27 WR's elite body control, balance, and explosive lower body have made him one of the best we have seen at the craft. That ability was illustrated by a 4.32 shuttle, 9'4" broad jump, and 6.69 L-Drill. Sam is elite when it comes to change of direction and getting back to top speed out of those CODs. Then in 1 on 1s you see it in action, and you also see the outstanding ball skills that easily track the ball into his hands from all different flight paths of the football. This summer is going to be huge for Sam because I have no doubt wherever he shows up he will pile up the wins rep after rep and impress a lot of people.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tight End MVP</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Our first of what turned into several 2028 MVPs was at the TE position. [player_tooltip player_id='1668147' first='Nehemiah' last='Steward'] of Sheboygan North came out to the event and proved to be a legitimate mismatch thanks to his size. The '28 TE/WR measured in at 6'4" 210 lbs, and that frame has so much space on it to easily add 15+ lbs over the coming years. Nehemiah was working back from an injury so we didn't get a full combine from him, but once we went live he went to work.</p>   <p>The big man demonstrated a great understanding of how to use that size and length to his advantage. Over and over he was able to go get the ball off the top shelf where DBs simply couldn't get to it. We also watched him use that size to muscle DBs away from the catch point or box them out last second. The big man did really well to play with strong hands too that were able to secure the catch and bring in back into his body when he did have to go up and get it. I'm really impressed by the weapon that Steward is turning himself into. Make sure he is on your recruiting boards for 2028s, coaches.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Line MVP</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">What a day from our OL1 in the Class of 2028. Roman left no doubts that he is heading into this summer fully healthy and ready to impress a lot of coaching staffs. The 6'3" 290 lbs '28 already is built for the part of a future D1 IOL and during the 1 on 1 session Roman verified that he has the talent and tools to do so also.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">My first big takeaway was how athletic the big man is. While he has that massive frame, Roman plays so light on his feet and is able to play with really good natural flexibility in his knees and ankles so he can stay low throughout the play/rep. The big man was great at mirroring IDL and staying square in front of them throughout 1 on 1 battles. Of course the overwhelming power also jumped out from the crowd. His ability to set his anchor and instantly stand up an IDL was special to watch. His heavy hands were able to control his opponent basically as soon as he could lock his hands onto his man. Roman's size, mobility, flexibility, and power are a combination you don't see often and have him in position to do something you don't see often at Arrowhead. Be an eventual 4 year varsity athlete on the OL. Coaches, don't miss out.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Line MVP</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">It is clear that Luke has been working this offseason. Since the Winter Showcase Luke has gotten bigger and more explosive and it resulted in a great day for him on Sunday. The sophomore is growing and filling out an impressive frame. He checked in at 6'4" 240 lbs, and the DL/edge put on a show when we got to the 1 on 1 battles to end the day.</p>   <p>In those 1 on 1 battles Luke did an elite job playing with his hands. Every rep he utilized his length to maintain separation and constantly was working them to try and defeat blocks. Luke won reps in a variety of ways too. He showed that he could drive OL off the ball and back into the QB. We saw him win with a strong first step and effective pass rush moves. It was also impressive to see him counter when his initial move didn't win him the rep. Luke always seemed to have a plan and his ability to execute separated him from the crowd. I'm very excited to watch this kid continue to grow and develop. He is just getting started.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Linebacker MVP</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Elias is another Showcase alumni who was back for another showing and delivered a huge day. The 6'1" 200 lbs sophomore LB proved that he is well on his way towards being a three down LB. He started the day with a fantastic combine. He ran a 4.91 laser 40, jumped out of the gym with a 10' and 10'2" broad jump, and ran a 7.15 L-Drill. Explosive short area athleticism and agility paired with that effective long speed allow him to make plays all over the field.</p>   <p>When we got to 1 on 1s vs the run and pass Elias further proved to be the leader of the pack. Against the run Elias was fantastic at getting downhill and closing space quickly. It left no time for the RBs to try and make a cut or juke against him before being tagged down. Then against the pass Eli proved he could pick up an LB out in space and run vertically with them. I also was able to watch him stay in the hip pocket of RBs on the shorter routes too where they try to win sudden cuts, but Eli's agility and length came together to help him be in position to make PBUs. Big things ahead for the 2028 LB.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Back MVP</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">What a showing from the 2028 DB out of Racine Case. The 5'10" 145 lbs sophomore DB checked a lot of boxes while dominating basically every part of the Showcase. Zadari started the day off with one of the best combines. He ran a 4.66 laser 40 time, an unreal 4.06 shuttle, and a 6.91 L-Drill. There is no lack of speed or reactive athleticism/agility for the 2028 CB and he proved he understands how to weaponize those tools to be a lockdown CB.</p>   <p>Watching him in 1 on 1s was even more impressive than the raw testing numbers. Zadari is so confident in his athleticism and it shines in the 1 on 1 battles. He clearly trusts his talents. Zadari was great with his closing speed and used it to collect PBUs and INTs throughout the day. Also we saw so many examples of him being able to instantly read and react to route breaks and stay glued to his man through those breaks and be right there to break up the pass. I loved the way he read his receiver throughout reps too like when he would have to turn and run vertically and read the WR to know when he should look back for the ball. It was a great day from the '28 CB out of Case.</p>

The Prep Redzone WI Exposure Showcase is in the books! The event brought out a great cross-section of talent from the Classes of 2027-2029. That included several of the best uncommitted 2027s and multiple top ranked 2028s and 2029s. That set the stage for a very competitive day where nearly every rep was a quality rep vs high level competition. The highly competitive environment brought out the best of these guys too as we would see several of the premier talents bring home MVP honors after proving their dominance throughout the day. Today we recap the day of those MVPs. Let's dive in position by position!