Recruiting Roundup: Top Prospects With Big-Time Potential

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With spring practices and college days under way, college camps looming large, and the upcoming fall season right around the corner, we are taking a look ahead at some under-the-radar prospects who plan to make a name for themselves over the next few months. Here are four standouts who pop on film and have taken their recruiting up a notch with strong showings during spring showcase season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2120894"],"_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-6a200f09443c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wayne High School defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='2120894' first='Javontae' last='Eldridge'] will make a strong case for being a top-five prospect in the Class of 2028 in the Hoosier State. Eldridge has impressive size, arm length, and athleticism. He is a tremendous pass rusher with good first-step quickness. He can turn the corner, long-arm opposing offensive tackles, align in both a two-point and three-point stance. Love him as an edge. His recruiting cooled off for a time, but recently, he picked up offers from Iowa State and Rutgers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2221923"],"_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-6a200f0944402"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keep a watchful eye on Class of 2028 tight end, linebacker, and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='2221923' first='Andre' last='Walker']. I love the Jeffersonville High School prospect's versatility. He is a talented prospect who makes a high impact on the field. Walker is disruptive when he puts his hand in the dirt, flashes a quick first step and is a good block shedder. At tight end, he is a physical blocker who can hit like a linebacker in space. Holds two offers from Tennessee State and Bowling Green; transferred from Silver Creek High School. Excited to see this Southern Indiana prospect develop over the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1247661"],"_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-6a200f0944426"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Avon linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1247661' first='Makyi' last='Hines'] is a huge hitter that teams have to account for. The 6-foot-0, 225-pound linebacker plays with a chip on his shoulder; he has very good closing speed and a nose for the ball. If left unblocked, Hines can deliver big hits on opposing quarterbacks and is quick to wrap up running backs in the flat. Very good closing speed, range, and explosiveness. Franklin College is his fist offer. Recorded 110 tackles last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1700701"],"_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-6a200f0944444"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What stands out about Pike athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1700701' first='Jaylen' last='Griffin'] is his elite ball skills on both sides of the ball. Strong receiver who can win contested catches, get downfield and win one-on-one battles. For as good as he is on offense, he is even better on defense; he is quick to read and react, breaks on the ball and is very smooth out of a backpedal. He recoded three touchdowns and one fumble recovery on offense, and is stout against the run, too, having 26 total tackles in 2025. He has picked up offer from Thomas More and Indianapolis this month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->