Rankings Jump: #88 up to #37rnAnother athlete earning a big jump is the 6’4″ 200 lbs TE/OLB out of Menomonie. While the junior will need to fill out that frame at the next level we haven’t see him have an issue with the physical demands of both positions. He can break tackles after the catch and is able to set the edge against the run and can disengage from offensive linemen. On offense Brody is a TE who has the athleticism to force defenses into tough matchups. Defense is where Brody excites us most though. He has excellent range for an OLB. We see him fly off the edge and wreck havoc on the backfield. Brody closes quickly and delivers hard, sound tackles. Thornton is also comfortable playing out in space off the edge. You can rely on him to pick up TEs/RBs or make one on one tackles off the edge thanks to his lateral agility and ability to move easily in all directions. I’m excited to see how he performs at camps this summer.

Our final standout of the game was the junior who gave us our first big play. That was the 6’3″ 190 lbs TE/OLB Brody Thornton Brody Thornton 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH Menomonie | 2025 State WI . On offense, Brody has his athleticism and size utilized to the team’s advantage. They get him the ball quick and let him either run through or away from LBs. On his TD play, Brody ran way from everybody. Defense is where he looks most at home. The length is there to rush the edge and keep separation from OTs. The athleticism he has also made him reliable out in space and over the slots. He has smooth, fluid hips that allow him to change direction as quickly as he reads to what he sees. The range allows him to close quickly and he isn’t afraid to hit. Brody was already a favorite based on his film, but I came away even more impressed Friday.