Prospect Evaluations: Southeast Polk

It’s been some time since one program in Iowa has produced back-to-back potential four-five-star recruits. Southeast Polk has just that and then some. The rams are coming off a 10-1 season that saw them fall at the hands of Ankeny in the state title game. However, they bring back a bevy of talented prospects and should be serious contenders yet again in 4A. Head coach Brad Zelenovich has done a fantastic job building up not only the front end of the rams roster but also the backend as well. I drove out to Pleasant Hill, Iowa, to take a look at their top 2022 & 2023 prospects, and here’s who stood out! <hr /> 2022’s DB: [player_tooltip player_id="23942" first="Xavier" last="Nwankpa"], 6’2, 190 <img class="" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E11oCzEWQAA27S9?format=jpg&name=large" alt="Image" width="436" height="262" /> If you like physical safety prospects who play downhill, then you came to the right place. Xavier will speed his feet on contact and run through you if you get in his way. He sees the quarterback like it’s second nature and can go up and get the football. He’s shown loose hips and great recovery speed on film as well. To me, he’s one of the elite defensive back prospects in all of the 2022 class. His acceleration, ability to fit between the tackles, size, & knack for creating numerous turnovers is downright special.   WR: Cole Filloon, 6’2, 190 This is a sure-handed, possession-type receiver who is deadly in the short-intermediate passing game. He understands the holes in zone coverage and where to tempo down in them. He’s smooth after the catch and will run through arm tackles. He’s got a big catch radius and helped Dailey get out of a lot of problems in 2020.   QB: [player_tooltip player_id="23947" first="Jaxon" last="Dailey"], 6’2, 205 A competitive gamer with the poise and moxie you look for in a quarterback. This southpaw showed exceptional footwork and timing when throwing inside or outside the pocket. He does a good job working through his full progression to find a potential target. He’s got a tight windup and overall smooth operation time. He’s got some hidden athleticism that can be exploited in the quarterback run game. I really believe that Arkansas State got a hidden gem with this kid. <img class="" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E11sah4WUAIEjcK?format=jpg&name=large" alt="Image" width="397" height="272" />   RB: [player_tooltip player_id="23983" first="Titus" last="Christiansen"], 5’10, 175 This young man can scoot, that’s for sure. This spring, he’s even clocked a 10.8 100 meters on his way to breaking the school record. On film, this is a shifty back with the patience and acceleration you look for in a scat back. Titus can line up in the slot and beat linebackers with not only his speed but also his refined route-running ability. He’s an excellent zone runner who allows backers to flow play-side before cutting back the opposite way. <img class="" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E11t82TXEAEUaOz?format=jpg&name=large" alt="Image" width="418" height="246" />   DE: [player_tooltip player_id="101038" first="Andrew" last="Harris"], 6’3, 235 Harris has a good frame at 6’3, 235 and can easily add fifteen-twenty pounds if need be. On tape, he does a good job of keeping his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage when unblocked and will track plays down from the backside. He’s shown some versatility on tape playing as both a five and 3 technique. His quickness gave interior offensive linemen fits when he kicked down as a DT. Centers blocking back stood no chance as well, as he used pure speed and a good first step to beat them to get into the backfield.     2023’s OL: [player_tooltip player_id="24023" first="Kadyn" last="Proctor"], 6’7, 319 <img class="" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E11plfrWUAMP0ul?format=jpg&name=large" alt="Image" width="452" height="271" /> This young man already looks like a starting NFL tackle. I was shocked at how filled out he was and was expecting a kid his age to have some baby fat still on him. Not Proctor, though. This is a hard-working, humble, nasty offensive tackle prospect. He’s spectacular as not only a run blocker but also as a pass protector. He’s quick out of his stance against speed rushers and has a pretty vertical set on film. He’s dominant at the point of attack and has a punch with some serious pop behind it. I think he’s a no-brainer five-star and could be the top offensive line prospect in the entire country.   ATH: Sam Goode, 6’3, 210 A weight room warrior that is put together when you see him in person. On tape, he’s both a hard-hitting, instinctive linebacker and a matchup nightmare as a tight end. He does a good job diagnosing the run and triggering & making a play in space on defense. On offense, he can get it done as an inline blocker and shows no hesitation going up for the ball in traffic.   QB: Joe Zelenovich, 6’, 170 Once Dailey graduates, it looks like the Rams will have another talented signal-caller step in. Zelenovich is a talented runner who will challenge defenses if they don’t set the edge. He’s a strong thrower on the move who will square his shoulders to his target before letting it rip. He doesn’t get rattled against free rushers and is willing to sit in the pocket and take a shot if it means hitting his target downfield. Look for him to make an impact at receiver this fall.   Not In Attendance OL: [player_tooltip player_id="23986" first="Cade" last="Borud"], 6’4, 300, 2022 This young man plays extremely physical and can drive opponents off the football. He’s a gifted pass protector who can redirect and move laterally with ease. He’s a finisher who lives for burying opponents into the ground. On tape, he showed the ability to reach five techniques and can easily work to the second level. To me, he’s a guard through and through at the next level.   ATH: Abu Sama, 5’10, 175, 2023 A freakish athlete who long jumped 23’5 earlier this year. Despite his size, Sama is a physical runner, equipped with a nasty stiff arm. He showed great patience on tape and the ability to get to the perimeter fast. He’s shown soft hands out of the backfield and was a nightmare to guard on wheel routes. Look for him to have a big impact on varsity at defensive back this fall.   TE: [player_tooltip player_id="101036" first="Jordan" last="Mitchell"], 6’4, 230, 2022 On film, Mitchell plays with great hand placement on the breastplate and keeps his feet driving on contact. He does a good job bending at the knees and rolling his hips once he punches a defender. Look for him to take a big step forward this fall, and I think his recruiting stock could move up very quickly.