Film Analysis: Wisco Underclassmen Round One
This is something I have been doing with the Class of 2022 quite a bit. I have recently received enough film from the Classes of 2023 and 2024 to dive into their film and report what I see. So, for…
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Continue ReadingThis is something I have been doing with the Class of 2022 quite a bit. I have recently received enough film from the Classes of 2023 and 2024 to dive into their film and report what I see. So, for each of the eight underclassmen in this article I will dive into the film they have and give a quick snapshot of what I see. Obviously, these athletes have a couple of years of developing ahead of them, but they all clearly have the next level talent starting to shine through in their film. These are definitely names to remember going forward. Also just like with the other film analysis articles I have done, if you want to be included in the next round make sure to send your film to my Twitter DMs @MJ_NFLDraft or the Prep Redzone Wisconsin Twitter DMs @PrepRedzoneWI. Let’s get started!
Chris Flowers Chris Flowers 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Waukesha South | 2024 State WI , 2024 DB- Waukesha South
Flowers is an intriguing, up and coming cornerback for Waukesha South. He checks in at 5’8″ 145 lbs right now. While watching through the tape you can see that he plays at a higher speed than the rest of the underclassmen around him. In coverage, Chris shows off the early signs that he can develop into a top DB recruit. He has shown loose hips that he can quickly flip and change directions with. Chris also has shown off impressive closing speed and the ability to get him hands in the right place to disrupt the catch point. Add in the ball skills to create turnovers and you get a freshman that is going to catch a lot of eyes in the coming years. I also love to see that he isn’t afraid to step up and make tackles against the run game. Check Chris out, right here!
Mason Folkers, 2023 QB- Madison Edgewood
This is my first exposure to Mason and he has my full attention. The 6’2″ 195 QB played 6 games of varsity football this past fall and did more than hold his own. Mason’s sophomore showed the beginnings of a ton of positive traits that should intrigue coaches at the next level. Folkers already has shown a lot of poise in the pocket and when the pressure gets close he has the ability to successfully maneuver in the pocket and outside of it to buy time. The key trait that Mason has is his accuracy. Whether he is on the run or standing tall in the pocket he can deliver dimes to all three levels of the field. He has the arm strength to hit tight windows too. It’s one thing to be able to get the ball all over the field, but to be able to get it all over the field with velocity is another thing completely. Mason can do that. This is a dude to keep your eye on!
Derek Jensen, 2024 OL- Arrowhead
6’6″ 270 lbs freshmen offensive linemen don’t grow on trees, but we have one here! Derek has the makings of a dominant offensive lineman. He has an athletic lower half and a strong upper half that, when paired together, can maul defensive linemen. Even as a freshman, Derek shows off impressive body control before and during his blocks. In the run game, Derek creates a lot of movement in the trenches and, when he is asked to, he has the ability to get to the second level and make blocks on LBs. In the pass game, Jensen slides easily and uses his impressive length shut down pass rushers. Derek also does a good job of picking up stunts and twists.
Cameron Finerty, 2023 DL- Milwaukee Marquette
Cameron is another player on this list that made an impact on varsity as an underclassman. The 6’1″ 225 lbs defensive lineman looks the part on the hoof and plays like a kid a year or two older than he actually is. The reason it feels that way is because of the impressive strength, athleticism, and body control he plays with. Finerty can win in so many ways and can do it from any position along the defensive line. He can collapse the pocket with his bull rush on one snap, and then the next he’s ripping, swimming, or spinning around offensive linemen and getting pressure or making TFLs. The motor is there too. If the whistle hasn’t blown then he is hunting for the ball carrier or QB. Check out his sophomore film here!
Michael Franz Michael Franz 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Brookfield Central | 2023 State WI , 2023 LB- Brookfield Central
Franz is a fun edge defender to watch as he flies around the football field. Coming in at 6’1″ 210 lbs, the sophomore has a good base of athletic traits to build upon. He springs off the line at the snap, and he has an impressive knack for avoiding blocks as he flies into the backfield to make plays. From what I have seen, Michael looks like a high effort, high motor player. He is going all out on each snap. I look forward to watching what he develops into as he continues to improve his strength and technique to go along with that impressive athleticism. He will be a menace on the edge when he starts to reach his potential. Take a look at his film here!
Drew Vanoss, 2024 QB- West De Pere
Here we have an athletic, freshman QB prospect. The 5’9″ 145 lbs baller has plenty of time to continue to fill out and gain more and more strength, but what he does show in his current film is intriguing for his future outlook. Drew has good accuracy on short to intermediate routes and has the ability to fit the ball into tight windows at those ranges. Vanoss also has the athleticism to buy time in the pocket, and also to be able to take off and hurt the defense with his legs. This will be a name to follow in the coming years as he has the potential to be able to make an impact in several ways for a team.
Just a few of my freshman year highlights. Can’t wait to get back on the field with my brothers! pic.twitter.com/rcF1QLx5Nl
— Drew Van Oss (@DrewVanoss) February 14, 2021
Quinn Buchinger Quinn Buchinger 6'2" | 200 lbs | TE Kaukauna | 2023 WI , 2023 WR/TE- Kaukauna
Quinn has the potential to be a varsity breakout candidate this fall. He played JV this past fall, and he looks ready to take that next step. The 6’2″ 200 lbs sophomore receiver has a ton to work with. He already carries that size really well and has effective play speed. Quinn is also an effective route runner. He can get out of his breaks with speed and he does a good job of using his size to create even more separation between the DB and the ball. After the catch, Buchinger is a problem. His size and strength over defensive backs gives him the upper hand in one on one tackle attempts. Quinn is also surprisingly shifty and elusive with the ball in his hands. He is hard to contain after the catch. Check this kid out and remember the name!
Will McDonald Will McDonald 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Hudson | 2023 State WI , 2023 DL- Hudson
Will definitely looks the part of an up and coming DL prospect at 6’4″ 215 lbs and the film matches the image. The hand usage and strength is impressive to watch already. His punch gets offensive linemen on their heels and then he can either rip or swim past them, or use his strength to toss them aside before closing quickly on the QB or RB. The athleticism, acceleration, and agility at his size is wild to watch too. Will is already a well rounded prospect. He is impactful against the run and the pass game and has developed really good tools and traits to attack both areas. With two more years of high school ball still ahead of him, the potential is very high for Will. I highly recommend checking this out!