Week One Top Performances: Underclassmen
Time to wrap up our recap and coverage of Week 1 with the highlighting of several underclassmen who went off in week one! For several of these players this was their first meaningful varsity action, so watching them step up…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTime to wrap up our recap and coverage of Week 1 with the highlighting of several underclassmen who went off in week one! For several of these players this was their first meaningful varsity action, so watching them step up to the level of competition and surpass it in a lot of occassions is awesome to see. Each one of these student athletes are going to be must know names for the next 3-4 seasons. Underclassmen, going forward if you want to be highlighted in these weekly articles make sure you tag @PrepRedzoneWI or @ MJNFLDraft with your highlights on twitter. Now let’s get it started!
Derek Jensen, OL- Arrowhead
Stat Line: OT on OL that blocked for 400+ All Purpose Yards, and 5 TDs
The first thing that jumps out after watching Jensen’s freshmen film this spring is that he has made leaps and bounds of improvements in his body control. The player he is now is head and shoulders above where he was a year ago setting the stage for a very bright future. That future is already showing itself too as Derek has earned an FBS offer from Iowa State, and Illinois after his dominant week one performance at RT. I can’t stress enough how impressed I am with the flexibility and mobility improvements. The 6’6” 285 lbs sophomore looks the part and plays like it. Derek’s strength has made the next level jump as well. He drives linemen and edge defenders off the ball with his powerful, wide base and solid inside hand placement. He wrapped up his film showing off his pass set and his ability to use his length to control an edge rusher along with reactive athleticism. The future is bright for the ’24 star. Expecting a lot more offers coming his way.
Caymen Gebheim Caymen Gebheim 6'2" | 215 lbs | ATH Somerset | 2024 State WI , DL/OLB- Somerset
Stat Line: 4 Sacks
What a way to start off the season! Caymen dominated off the edge during their week one matchup with Bloomer. One thing that I really liked throughout his film is the fact that he didn’t take himself out of plays when he would rush the edge. A lot of times you will see kids rush past the QB, but Caymen did a good job of getting to the level of the QB and then closing on him instead of continuing to run the loop past him. Caymen’s high motor kept showing up as well as he has reps where he fought through several blocks before getting to the QB and showed us that he can make plays one on one out in space comfortably. Caymen is a kid to watch for the next 3 seasons. The 6’2″ 210 lbs athlete is on his way to becoming a solid prospect.
Starting off the season with a 26-14 win against Bloomer. Ended the game with 4 sacks. Great start but many games to go. @PrepRedzoneWI @travisWSN @Evan_Flood pic.twitter.com/wrtSmUFqHC
— Caymen Gebheim (@CaymenGeb) August 23, 2021
Damarcus Chappell Damarcus Chappell 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Nicolet | 2024 State WI , DE- Nicolet
Stat Line: 10 Total Tackles, 1 Sack
Nicolet is home to what I expected to be a very talented defensive line. They are looking even better now with the emergence of the 6’2″ 215 lbs DL Damarcus Chappell Damarcus Chappell 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Nicolet | 2024 State WI . Chappell was stout at DE in week one. Rep after rep you can watch him stand up the OL, get himself positioned in the hole, and then make the tackle. His play strength is varsity ready, no doubt. That strength is what got him his first sack of the season also as he plowed his way across the OL’s face and to the QB. He supplements his strength with solid quickness both out of his stance, and laterally as he putted out a lot of tape, week one, of him quickly crossing his OL’s face and getting through the gap and into the backfield. I’m excited to watching the level of player Chappell turns into over the next few seasons. Plenty of potential to build on. Damarcus’ Week One Highlights
Anthony Poole, OL/DL- Greenfield
Stat Line: N/A
The 6’1″ 230 lbs OG/DT showed some flashes of solid potential in week one while playing on both sides of the trenches. On offense, Poole look at his best when he was able to utilize his athleticism. Whether it was lateral movement as he looked for work in pass protection or downfield as he went to pick up second level defenders in the run game, Poole looked like he moves well for his size. On defense, that athleticism was his go to as well. A couple snaps on his highlights shows him making his way through gaps, and getting pressure on the QB before OGs can get their hands on him. Anthony is raw, but he is young so you expect that. He also has tools to succeed with and develop. Check him out! Anthony’s Week One Highlights
Karter Butt Karter Butt 5'10" | 215 lbs | RB Edgar | 2024 State WI , RB- Edgar
Stat Line: 18 Carries, 119 Yards, 3 TDs, 8 Total Tackles, 2 TFLs
It looks like Karter has grown into a good looking RB prospect over the past year. He now checks in at 5’10” 200 lbs with 4.6 40 speed. Coming into the season we here at Prep Redzone WI expected Karter to step into a large role after the graduation of Player of the Year Austin Dahlke Austin Dahlke 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Edgar | 2021 State WI . One week in and Butt is living up to expectations. The week one highlights show off a well balanced RB. His instincts look strong as he picks his way between the tackles continuously finding daylight to gain yards. He also has the physicality to pick up yards after contact, and help set the tone that Edgar wants to play with. I’m a big fan of the small jump cuts that show up throughout the week one film too. He makes them look simple as he does them at full speed. Once again it’s his natural instincts for the position shining through. Check him out. Karter’s Week One Highlights
Gavin Lettenberger Gavin Lettenberger 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Manitowoc Lincoln | 2024 State WI , RB- Manitowoc Lincoln
Stat Line: 16 Carries, 43 Yards, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Manitowoc Lincoln found themselves in a tough battle to start the season. The type of game where it comes in handy to have a 6’1″ 205 lbs power back to help set the tone and pick up the tough yards, and do the dirty work. That’s what Gavin spent his week one doing. It’s not a crazy stat line, but his three yards and a cloud of dust play style helped set the physical tone that Manitowoc Lincoln plays with. The north- south runner does a good job of locating his running lane without any delay, and hits the hole without wasting any time. Gavin and his QB, Prange, are a duo to keep an eye on this fall. Check out Gavin’s week one plays here! Gavin’s Week One Highlights
Other Noteworthy Performances
Langdon Nordgaard Langdon Nordgaard 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR West De Pere | 2024 State WI , WR- West De Pere
Stat Line: 4 Receptions, 119 Yards, 2 TDs
Chase Matthias Chase Matthias 6'0" | 215 lbs | ATH Two Rivers | 2024 State WI , RB/LB- Two Rivers
Stat Line: 20 Carries, 226 Yards, 4 TDs, 2 Receptions, 42 Yards, 7 Total Tackles
Jacques Brooks Jacques Brooks 5'10" | 185 lbs | WR Franklin | 2024 State WI , WR- Franklin
Stat Line: 4 Receptions, 60 Yards, 2 TDs, GW Hail Mary TD Reception