Coverage Needed: Part II
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Use code Johnson30 for 30% off on a subscription! Enjoy! We continue our series of finding athletes that deserve more shine from our Prep Redzone WI coverage. Part II contains eight more talented athletes that are going to be next…
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We continue our series of finding athletes that deserve more shine from our Prep Redzone WI coverage. Part II contains eight more talented athletes that are going to be next level contributors. We have a wide array of positions, and talent level. There are kids in here who will play D1 down to athletes who will have their choice of D2/D3 programs. So, let’s get more familiar with what these athletes have to offer the next level. We start in Sun Prairie with one of the state’s best DBs.
The 5’11” 185 lbs safety enters his senior campaign with a ton of experience under his belt. The junior has been an impact player on varsity since his sophomore season. With that experience comes a high football IQ. It shows up all over his highlights. He reads/baits the QB, and has a great feel for who is entering his zone and where. The play speed is perfect for his position, giving him the range to make plays anywhere on the field. Sam also has naturally soft hands that have led to several turnovers. I’m excited to see his numbers from camps this summer, and watch him on the field his final season of HS ball.
Highlights
The 6’3″ 295 lbs junior spent time at OC and OT in 2022. The big man was able to put his strengths on display at both positions. KJ does a good job with the consistency of his lower body footwork. He maintains a wide base, and is able to generate a lot of power and drive from there. KJ’s run blocking is impressive. He is able to dig big DL out of the trenches and walk them into the second level. KJ also does a good job of getting to the second level. At this point, Peterson looks best at the IOL positions. Positions where he can focus on using his strength in the run game, and anchor strength in pass protection. Keep an eye on him this fall. Middleton looks like they will have a strong OL group.
Highlights
The 6’2″ 220 lbs LB is the leader of the pack among Franklin’s exceptionally talented LB group. Talan looks the part of a next level LB already. He has a long, well filled out frame, yet Talan is still able to move every direction easily. That tells me he can be relied on for all three downs. A trait that not many LBs have. Against the run, Summers reads the OL well. It allows him to flow with the play, and get to his gap even while it moves laterally. Talan also has the agility to be able to maneuver through the trash that is ever-present in the trenches. Against the pass, Talan times his blitzes well, and as I mentioned earlier, he has the agility to be able to slide, drop, and change direction in zone coverage. Talan also qualified for State Wrestling this winter. Definitely an athlete to watch.
Highlights
The 5’10” 165 lbs CB isn’t the biggest, but Garrison has steadily improved his game over his HS career. To the point where he now holds a Top 10 ranking at his position. Garrison is a high IQ CB out on the boundary. He recognizes routes quickly, as well as things going on around him during the play. That allows him to come off his man to make a play outside of his assignment. Garrison also has the speed needed to run with receivers or cover ground in zone coverage. The CB also does a great job of getting his hands on the ball. He piled up double digit PBUs last fall while also grabbing some INTs. Don’t sleep on the CB.
Highlights
The 6’4″ 260 lbs All Conference OT out of Little Chute is another member of this loaded WI OL class that is putting himself in position to really explode in 2023. Looking through his junior highlights, you can see that he is a solid athlete. He can move laterally smoothly. So much so that he can reach across his man with just a quick lateral slide. Owen can also get out in space or the second level and land big blocks on LBs or DBs. Butkovich also makes powerful initial contact. Contact that gets them going the way he wants so he can finish them into the ground. To take that next step, I want to see Owen’s hand use become more consistent. He likes to get his shoulder involved in those initial blocks. As he starts using his hands more his game with take another step forward. There is a lot of potential to mold here.
Highlights
The 6′ 195 lbs athlete has the talent to play a lot of positions at the next level. Wyatt plays with sub 4.6 40 speed, and a powerful lower body. As an RB, Wyatt has impressive instincts and vision. He patiently waits for his blocks to develop, has good awareness once he breaks through the line of scrimmage to avoid defenders and find second level blocks. The speed is there to go the distance. Wyatt is also used at receiver thanks to his soft hands. At safety, Wyatt possesses the range to be able to play all over the field from his 2 deep alignment. When asked to drop down over the slot, Hamersma has shown loose hips giving him the ability to change direction quickly. Wyatt will have a big year after 1,600+ all purpose yards in 2022.
Highlights
The 6’4″ 210 lbs athlete is one that I will be watching who has WR/TE potential. Wilmot puts him in positions where he can use his size to his advantage. They use him deep down the field, and with quick hitting routes like curls where he can use his body to shield the ball. Down the field, Kade tracks the ball well. He goes and attacks it at the high point, and then uses his strong hands to pull it into his body through contact. The reason he could have TE potential is that he has the frame, uses his body well, and could really shine when matched up more on LBs because he has also shown to be elusive after the catch. Either way, Kade can play out wide at the next level.
Our final athlete of the article is the heavy handed, powerful OG out of Germantown HS. The 6’3″ 290 lbs junior is an absolute bulldozer in the run game. He will put kids in the dirt instantly, or run them 15 yards off the ball, and then bury them into the dirt. Walters plays with that dominant, tenacious demeanor you want in the trenches. His hands use is consistently strong. He always makes first contact with his heavy hands, and that allows him to control his man the rest of the play. I’m excited to see him this fall. If he can continue to develop foot quickness he could make a huge jump in his play, and next level interest. An athlete to follow along with this fall.