We stay right on the same team, and don’t have to move far down the rankings for our next steal in the 2024 Class. Ethan made his big impact in the Kenwood Academy backfield in 2023. Ethan dominated with his combination of vision/instincts and physical tools. He reads blocks, sets up LBs, presses the hole, and then can juke or jump cut into open field. From there he has the speed to create the big plays. Ethan is also a viable threat as a receiver out in space with soft hands and the ability to easily shake DBs one on one.

Another Kenwood Academy 2024 that makes up their FBS-rich offer going into the fall, 5’11, 185 lb. ATH Ethan Middleton Ethan Middleton 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Kenwood | 2024 State IL saw his recruitment kick off early in his career when the Penn State Nittany Lions became his first offer way back in December of 2021. 2022 was quiet for Middleton on the recruiting front, but things really picked back up in 2023 when Mizzou offered in April, which prompted Syracuse, Middle Tennessee State, Marshall, and Kent State offers. He also took unofficials to Mizzou and Louisville back in April as well. Like aforementioned teammate Grant, Middleton performed well and turned heads at some major offseason camps this spring and summer, so the film and in-person evals align well and both are sure to excite the potential suitors on his offer list. Middleton was CCL powerhouse St. Rita’s RB last fall, where he demonstrated a versatile skillset out of the backfield that included balance, good hands and route running capability, burst, and some exhilarating juice in 1-on-1 situations with would-be tacklers (see his hurdle around 1:20 into his junior tape). There were some potentially big-time runs where he failed to finish, so if he’s improved on that speed and finishing ability as a senior I can see more P5 opportunities coming his way. However, his pass-catching ability on both downfield routes and screens is a major and hard-to-find asset, as is his elusiveness in 1-on-1 situations. I CANNOT WAIT to see him with Kenwood Academy this fall. You’ll be seeing me on their sidelines this fall.