Stock Risers: Southeast Minnesota – Part II
Continuing around the state of Minnesota, my virtual travels take me to the southeast corner of the state to review more high-level talent on the gridiron to watch this fall. This story is part two of two stories highlighting some…
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Continue ReadingContinuing around the state of Minnesota, my virtual travels take me to the southeast corner of the state to review more high-level talent on the gridiron to watch this fall. This story is part two of two stories highlighting some of the top returning talent from the Rochester area. Credit has to go to the Rochester Post Bulletin for supplying a good starting point for the story.
Adam Poncelet Goodhue WR
Poncelet’s length will give any but the biggest corners trouble. His long-striding style covers ground quickly. He has good ball skills and body control when adjusting to the ball. Although he usually lines up wide, he has been known to line up in the backfield and even as a running quarterback. Poncelet’s catch radius is an asset, as is his speed. He beats one on one coverage deep often and can get the corner as a quarterback on designed quarterback sweeps.
Peyton Byrne Stewartville OL/DE/LB
Byrne sets up with a wide, low base, making him hard to get off balance. He has excellent size and a long reach but – partly because of that low base – can still get his pad level under defenders. Byrne moves well for an athlete his size – both straight line and laterally. One of the most impressive five seconds of his tape is a screen pass where the running back started three yards in front of him, and Byrne sprinted to get in front of his back and throw a block. His length and quickness make him an effective outside pass rusher on defense. Back on offense, not just a speed guy; when he locks a defender up, that guy is moving backward.
Ethan Kramer Rochester Mayo DL/OL
Kramer is explosive out of his stance at both defensive tackle and offensive guard. He has quick feet and uses them well to move down the line of scrimmage. He has a high motor, trying to get into the play even when it is not run his way. The best example is when he ran forty yards downfield to track down a defensive back after an interception. Although not the biggest interior lineman, Kramer has good upper body strength to lock up defenders blocking and get off the blocks of bigger foes.
Bryan Cassellius Bryan Cassellius 6'1" | 180 lbs | LB Winona | 2023 State MN Winona LB/TE
Cassellius sets the edge well as an outside linebacker by keeping good leverage and using his arms to keep blockers off his body. His upper body strength allows him to get rid of blockers to pursue the football. A solid all-around linebacker, Cassellius has good lateral movement and does well in pass drops. He rarely comes off the field doubling as a tight end, field goal kicker who can hit from at least 35 yards, and a kickoff guy who has the leg strength to occasionally force a touchback.