Seniors Who Put Themselves on the Radar in 2024

It is never too late to have a breakout year. Finding a way to put yourself on the map isn't easy in a state with 24,000 HS football players. It is always better late than never, and the seniors in today's article are athletes who grabbed our attention this season and proved week after week to be athletes that not only did we need to watch closely, but college coaches need to know about them as well. So we are here to turn on the tape and see how these athletes were able to grab our attention and stand out from the crowd. Don't overlook or miss out on these seniors!    Monroe HS is no stranger to talented offensive linemen. The standout senior that was on this year's playoff qualifying team was [player_tooltip player_id='1599686' first='Trent' last='Newcomer']. The 6'4" 245 lbs left tackle is an athletic prospect to get your eyes on. He has plenty of room to add the necessary size at the next level. I'm a fan of his current athleticism on the field. Trent has quick feet that allow him to quickly gain the positioning and leverage advantage. His heavy hands show up very often in his highlights too as he tosses around DL. Trent is a force in the run game. He has the power to drive DL off the line and the range to close quickly on LBs. The senior also plays with that mean streak where he is looking to punish his opponent. Give some of his highlight cutups a watch.      A senior to know who is still in the 2024 playoffs is [player_tooltip player_id='1599766' first='Nick' last='Martin']. Nick is so talented at the catch point. The way he tracks the ball and can twist, contort, and adjust to the ball while it is in flight jumps off the tape over and over. He finds ways to get his strong hands on the ball and then hangs on through contact. Nick not only adjusts to the ball, but he attacks it too. He doesn't wait for it or allow DBs to gain position on him. The senior is a well rounded option too. He can get behind the defense or get open on the short to intermediate routes and then run with power after the catch. Nick is a key piece to the high-powered offense of Fox Valley Lutheran. Check out some of the tape below.      One of the top hidden gems I have come across this season is TE [player_tooltip player_id='1599660' first='Brad' last='Moraza'] out of Greendale. Brad has a great frame for the position and his skillset is that of a traditional TE. The senior is a strong, physical run blocker who truly looks like an extra OL. He gets into the chest of his opponent quickly and has the power to drive edge defenders off the line and into the second level to open up windows. He also has the quickness to get edge defenders hooked so his RB can get outside. The senior excels in the short, quick passing game where he can focus on creating yards after the catch with his powerful running and contact balance. Moraza is a talented athlete who could truly blossom at the next level. Don't miss out on the hidden gem.      Rice Lake has a very talented offensive line. A new member of the group to our radar is senior Fisher Kunesh. The 6'2" 275 lbs left tackle is a bulldozer in the run game. He dominates with power and leverage. Fisher fits very well into the Rice Lake run scheme where he can fire out of his stance and overwhelm DL. The senior always gets good hand placement and uses his lower body flexibility to get leverage as he drives his opponent out of the running lane. Kunesh also has the quick feet to be able to position himself between the defender and the running lane as he closes in for contact. The northern WI senior OL is still in the playoffs and needs to have eyes on him. I think he has a future at IOL.      I came across Tony's film early this season and liked what I saw. Then I saw him in person this past Friday night and was even more impressed. Tony stands out from the crowd with his strong frame and once the game started he continued to catch my eyes with the play on the field. Throughout the season, Tony has shown the power to set the edge against the run. He does a great job of getting underneath TEs or OTs and holding his ground until it was time to shed the block and make the tackle. The senior DE/edge has quick and strong hands that aid in his ability to disengage. Tony is also an explosive athlete, both off the line and once he is in the backfield. Tony's best football is still ahead of him. Dive into his senior highlights and see if he is a fit for your team.      An edge defender who made a name for himself this season is OLB Colton Petska of Chippewa Falls. The long edge defender put together a very productive season with 100+ tackles, 9 TFLs, and 2 Sacks. Colton's best attributes are his length and his athleticism. You will find the senior all over the field on his highlights. From edge defender out to CB. Colton is a natural athlete with bend, change of direction, and balance that allows him to roam the field naturally. He has the range to chase down plays or make plays out in the flats. That athleticism also allows him to knife through attempted blocks on the edge while setting the edge vs the run. The senior is still uncommitted and open to all options. Give the tape a look. There is a lot to see.      Zach put himself on our radar when we attended a Mount Horeb game earlier this season. The 6'3" 215 lbs LB quickly grabs your attention with that frame. He is an instinctive athlete who was so quick to read and react against both the run and pass. Those instincts paired with his athleticism gave him the ability to make plays sideline to sideline. The LB also played with the physicality expected of a kid his size. He could shed blocks or power right through them and his tackles didn't allow any extra forward progression to be made. The senior LB and his team are still alive in the WIAA playoffs, so get eyes on him. A little bonus on Zach, he also is a talented kicker who made an intermediate field goal while we were at his game and also has a 60 yarder under his belt in practice.

It is never too late to have a breakout year. Finding a way to put yourself on the map isn't easy in a state with 24,000 HS football players. It is always better late than never, and the seniors in today's article are athletes who grabbed our attention this season and proved week after week to be athletes that not only did we need to watch closely, but college coaches need to know about them as well. So we are here to turn on the tape and see how these athletes were able to grab our attention and stand out from the crowd. Don't overlook or miss out on these seniors!