PA Elite Winter CHP Series, AIT 15U Top Performers

<p>I have to begin with the man behind "center". I finally got an up-close look at [player_tooltip player_id='388094' first='Colt' last='Sprankle'], the would-be successor to [player_tooltip player_id='64005' first='Cadin' last='Olsen'] at Armstrong HS. A ton of hype and buzz has surrounded this kid's name for some time, I got a chance to understand why. Humble and respectful kid, Sprankle was arguably the most comfortable quarterback in attendance. Usually, scouts equate big quarterbacks to having the biggest arm, yet Sprankle might've flashed the liveliest arm at the event. Deep shot after deep shot, accurate and on time, Sprankle showed how off just how hard he's been working in the off-season, both in terms of reworking his mechanics, as well as in the weight room. At least 25+ TDs, not an interception that I could remember, Sprankle connected with targets across all three levels of the field. The flashy 40-yard bombs were easy with kids like Coke and Scott running free, I had the chance to see Sprankle layer the football in the red zone, however. I witnessed him look off safeties, and work through his progressions, I watched his feet align with his eyes in real-time. I have all the confidence in the world that Sprankle will continue to elevate our rankings for years to come. Great first impression. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1622084371527131138?s=20 </div></figure>    <p>Sprankle had no shortage of weapons to work with at this event. [player_tooltip player_id='598689' first='Ian' last='Olsen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='402439' first='D'Antae' last='Sheffey'] are both soon-to-be, if not already, household names in the state. One of the prospects listed above is not as well-known yet, that being Albert Gatlin's [player_tooltip player_id='388166' first='Makel' last='Darnell']. I'm fond of [player_tooltip player_id='388166' first='Makel' last='Darnell'] the football player, his tape is quickly becoming one of my favorites to promote, especially among prospects in his class. Sprankle and [player_tooltip player_id='498148' first='Caden' last='Matthews'] connected with Coke and Scott downfield all event, [player_tooltip player_id='388166' first='Makel' last='Darnell'] ate up a ton of yards in the short-to-intermediate game. Digs, crossers, active in a ton of pre-snap motion sets, If Coke and Scott didn't provide the big plays, [player_tooltip player_id='388166' first='Makel' last='Darnell'] got AIT close with his acceleration and separation skills. Smooth pass-catcher too. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1622787706987196417?s=20 </div></figure>     <p>Was a pleasure seeing [player_tooltip player_id='598689' first='Ian' last='Olsen'] work, he looked great for his age, speaking from a build perspective. The recently-ranked top-five wideout wowed me in an area I didn't expect him to, that's after the catch. I know how easily this kid gets open, I know he's going to produce out of his mind in the years to come. I know [player_tooltip player_id='598689' first='Ian' last='Olsen'] has some of the more reliable hands in his class, I didn't know he could accelerate both off the LOS and after reeling in catches. On multiple occasions, [player_tooltip player_id='598689' first='Ian' last='Olsen'] flat-out beat angles with his stride, leaving kids grasping at air. </p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='402439' first='D'Antae' last='Sheffey'] was present, yet was hobbled by a nagging injury for the majority of the event. Sheffey is one of the prospects where not much he can do in this setting would surprise me. His stock can't necessarily rise, it's already tough to rise as a top-ten talent in the state. It was still nice to see Sheffey work the little reps he did. It's always good to see a special talent work up close, I had the opportunity to do so. I doubt this will be the last time I see him this off-season. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1622778545851232259?s=20 </div></figure>    <p>I could make the case that no two prospects performed more dominantly than WR/S [player_tooltip player_id='212414' first='Elias' last='Coke'] and WR/CB [player_tooltip player_id='142837' first='Michael' last='Scott']. I am well in the know of all things [player_tooltip player_id='212414' first='Elias' last='Coke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='142837' first='Michael' last='Scott'], this is far from the first time I've witnessed them work. Both of these kids have been on our radar for quite some time. </p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212414' first='Elias' last='Coke'] continues to build momentum after the Harrisburg State Title game. Offers are coming in waves, his confidence is oozing, the young man is a hot name right now, deservedly so. Coke was on a different level at this event. Of course, nothing beats his awesome freshman tape, his performance at this event will act as a close second. Time and time again, I can't speak about this young man without mentioning his stride. Everyone thinks they've got the book on [player_tooltip player_id='212414' first='Elias' last='Coke'], I talk to kids and they think they can out-physical him at the LOS or at the catch point. That's great to hear, yet no one seems to respect the way this kid can fly downfield. He's more than a big body who can jump, if you sleep on him on the boundary, he will burn you and gain strides on you. Before you know it, Sprankle, and Shawn Lee in-season, will have let him loose and he's scoring on DBs vertically. The young man is tapping into goal-line skills at every event. Combine that with his continued progress at Safety, and you've got one of the best WR/DB prospects in the state. I knew all of this beforehand, Coke just added some un-needed validation. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1622233339934507010?s=20 </div></figure>    <p>I can't speak more highly of [player_tooltip player_id='142837' first='Michael' last='Scott']'s game. Other-worldly speed, [player_tooltip player_id='142837' first='Michael' last='Scott'] served as the top performer amongst an elite group of prospects. There's speed, and then there's whatever [player_tooltip player_id='142837' first='Michael' last='Scott'] possesses. I know I should take a step back and take every rep with a grain of salt, as we are without pads, yet we know [player_tooltip player_id='142837' first='Michael' last='Scott'] showed off the same ridiculous acceleration skills on Friday nights. Scott looks to be in tune with his game, more so than in previous years. Multiple passes caught within 15-yards were taken to the house after [player_tooltip player_id='142837' first='Michael' last='Scott'] went untouched to the endzone. Lateral agility, vertical/straight-line speed, pacing throughout routes, different gears. This is what [player_tooltip player_id='142837' first='Michael' last='Scott'] brings to the table. I've seen kids jump out of the gym, this kid can do it like no other and he's hardly 5'10. Fantastic DB skills that are just now starting to blossom. He still relies on his speed and athleticism when at corner, understandably so, just wait until he develops technique. All in all, it was a pleasure to watch this kid dominate this setting. It wasn't his first elite performance, it won't be his last. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1622077005314285568?s=20 </div></figure>