Semaji has had a great year of growth. He now measure in at almost 6’3″ and 207 lbs. He ran 4.91 in the 40, 4.41 in the shuttle, jumped 9’4″ and hit 7.44 in the L Drill. Those agility numbers matched what I saw on the field. Semaji is a smooth route runner. He was able to get out of breaks quickly and didn’t have to sacrifice speed going into breaks either. The TE demonstrated some power to fight through jams and to not be pumped off his route. The sophomore also had to show some toughness, playing through an injured hand. Semaji is consistently showing improvement. Keep an eye on him.

I’m most excited to see how Semaji has developed. When he first hit our radars the DE/TE was 6’2″ 180 lbs. He will now check in around 6’3″ 210 lbs. He also brings varsity experience. The first thing I check for with these bigger athletes is how easy do they move. Can they change direction, drop their weight, explode out of their stances and their changes of directions? Then you look further into the positional factors after you figure out the level of athlete they are. Petzold has been putting in the work, so he has earned a spot as a kid I’m excited to see.

Semaji first made an impression to us as a TE. This season he showed that it was his only way of impacting the game. The sophomore now makes plays at TE and on the DL. The 6’3″ 210 lbs TE brings a well balanced skill set. He has dominating power in the run game. We see him drive defenders off the ball, or get to the second level and bury LBs. Petzold shows the closing speed needed to land those big blocks on an LB. As a receiver, Semaji uses his big frame to create constant separation. His simple box out walls off defenders effectively.

On defense the DE plays with a strong mix of effort, power, and agility. The effort stood out first. Petzold is always battling to the whistle, fighting through blocks, and trying to get to the ball on every snap. We usually see him get there because he has the strength to bull rush, can swipe hands away to free himself, and again shows that closing speed to make the tackle. Semaji also shows that he can make the lateral slide to get around blocks or to maintain containment against the outside run and then attack to secure the talent. I’m excited to see him grow more into both positions. He could have a big year this fall with the potential he has shown.

The 6’2″ 185 lbs freshman made an impact at TE and OLB for the freshman team in 2022. His tape suggests that he could find his way onto the varsity field at either in 2023. TE appears to be open as it looks like the start from 2022 will graduate this June. Petzold would be a reliable option as a receiver. He made multiple tough catches through contact. The hand-eye coordination and concentration will be key to his success as a receiver. Semaji will need to be a great blocker to lock down that TE spot on the varsity level. Pewaukee pounds the rock, so Petzold will need to prove he has the strength to be an impactful blocker under the bright lights. His freshman tape shows that he has the range to make blocks in space and at the second level. Strength to block level one will be the major factor he will need to develop to take the spot.