Stock Risers: First Half of 2021 Season
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We have made it over the halfway hump of the 2021 regular season for football here in Wisconsin! I can’t believe how fast it has flown by, or how many athletes have been able to make a name for themselves…
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Continue ReadingWe have made it over the halfway hump of the 2021 regular season for football here in Wisconsin! I can’t believe how fast it has flown by, or how many athletes have been able to make a name for themselves and show how much they have developed over the last 6 months! Today, I want to take a look at those student athletes in the Class of 2022 and 2023 that have risen their stock on the recruiting circuit with impressive first half tape. For each athlete we will dive into how they have gone about improving their stock and take a look at the new attention that development has brought them. Let’s get it started!
Cameron Fane Cameron Fane 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Madison Edgewood | 2022 WI , ATH 2022- Madison Edgewood
Season Stats: 12 Carries, 192 Yards, 3 TDs, 17 Receptions, 376 Yards, 4 TDs, 2 Tackles, 2 INTs, 4 PBUs
Cam has burst onto the scene more than any other player in the state, in my opinion. He spent the summer making his rounds to D1 camps at Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, but left each camp without some sort of offer despite impressive times and workouts. However, once the season started and we saw that those impressive testing numbers of a 4.5 40, 4.1 pro agility, and 10′ broad jump translated onto the field the D1 schools really started showing their interest. Since the season has started, Cam has been invited to gameday visits at NIU, Wisconsin, and Iowa. It’s easier to see why the interest has really spiked once the pads came on. Fane is a very versatile athlete who has shined in every role he has been utilized in this fall. He clearly has D1 level traits when it comes to his elusiveness, acceleration, play speed, and overall play making ability. This is one of WI’s most electric senior playmakers. Cam Weeks 1-3
Abiathar Curry Abiathar Curry 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL Janesville Parker | 2022 State WI , OL 2022- Janesville Parker
Season Stats: Blocked for 497 Rushing Yards, 284 Passing Yards, 10 Total Offensive TDs
What a jump in interest Abiathar saw during the first half of the season this fall! During this past summer, Curry was receiving D2 interest and early in the 2021 season was on campus visiting the D3 level. However, once the 6’6″ 270 lbs LT started dominating kids week after week he definitely started grabbing the interest of the highest level of competition. By September 11 Abiathar was on the NIU campus for a gameday visit, and then 10 days later announced his commitment to the Huskies. This could turn into one of the bigger steals coming out of the cheese state. I have used this term with Curry often, but he seriously is a dancing bear. He is so light on his feet, yet has the overall strength and heavy hands that will allow him to be be a force at the next level. Abiathar has also shown impressive development over the last several months, so you can expect him to keep getting better as he goes through his college career. I can’t wait to follow this dude’s career at the next level! Abiathar vs Milton
Alijah Maher- Parr, RB 2022- Arrowhead
Season Stats: 92 Carries, 664 Yards, 8 TDs, 3 Receptions, 28 Yards, 1 TD
Alijah has been a fun high school career to follow. 5’8″ 165 lbs athlete has been willing and able to fill whatever role the Arrowhead offense needs him in. As a junior, he spent the first five games playing receiver where he averaged 11+ yards/rec each game. Then the final three weeks he flipped to the backfield and quickly took on a large workload toting the rock 15+ times each of those last three weeks. That success at multiple positions had me excited for his senior season. As his senior season kicked off it was clear that he was going to be the RB1 for the Arrowhead offense. It didn’t take long for Alijah to make himself one of the more consistent senior RBs in the state. His 9 total TDs are 3X more than the next closest player on his team. What really stands out is how in their closest games of the season the offense really has leaned on him. In the team’s three tightest games thus far, Alijah averages 24 carries, 146 yards rushing, and 1 rushing TD. Even better for the team, they came out of those three tough battles with a 2-1 record. Productive, and a positive impact. At the next level, Alijah fits best as a change of pace back with his track speed, playmaking ability in space, and ability to be an equal threat as a runner and receiver. Check this kid out! Alijah vs Waukesha West
Ahman Brewah Ahman Brewah 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Menomonee Falls | 2022 State WI , LB 2022- Menomonee Falls
Season Stats: 60 Total Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sack, 13 Carries, 43 Yards
What a first half for the Menomonee Falls LB! In five games, he already has 10 more tackles than his six game junior season. He also has almost double the tackles of anyone else on his defense. Add in that he also leads his team in TFLs, and sacks and you get an athlete who has taken his game to the next level. The 5’11” 200 lbs defender is undersized for the position, but that’s the only part of his game that comes up short. He has taken the next step in his development from his junior season showing off even more speed/range, better play recognition and reaction, and he has shown his versatility by being a good edge rusher in 2020 and now an impactful ILB in 2021. A program at the next level will be able to use Ahman in so many different situations and alignments. Brewah received plenty of graphics to start the spring/summer. It’s time for those same programs to take another look at the versatile LB prospect. Film is here! Ahman’s Midseason Highlights
Colton Geurink Colton Geurink 5'11" | 215 lbs | RB Wausau West | 2022 State WI , RB 2022- Wausau West
Season Stats: 91 Carries, 710 Yards, 9 TDs, 3 Receptions, 11 Yards
Watching Colton breakout this fall has been some of my favorite film. The 5’11” 215 lbs back is a tone setter with the ball in his hands as he has the leg drive, strength, and contact balance to break any tackle and rack up tons of yards after contact on a weekly basis. It’s great to see that it has play has started moving him through the recruiting process. He spent the summer making visits and receiving graphics showing interest, but no offers came of it. He didn’t let that effect his play. If anything it fueled it as he burst onto the stage right away in week 1 with a 5 TD performance. That first game was just a glimpse into what he would do this fall. Those numbers listed above are from only FOUR games this fall! He has clearly carried the load for his offense as he alone has 91 carries compared to 30 total pass attempts for his offense. Even the second closest rusher only has 13 carries. So, teams know what Wausau West has wanted to do on offense, yet they can’t stop one of the state’s best power backs. That impact has led those interest graphics turn into letters, game day visits, and his first offer! That first offer being from FCS member Valparaiso University! Should be the first of many more. Colton’s Midseason Highlights
Luke Haertle Luke Haertle 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Lake Country Lutheran | 2022 State WI , QB 2022- Lake Country Lutheran
Season Stats: 53/84, 747 Yards, 12 TDs, 16 Carries, 215 Yards, 3 TDs, 23 Total Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 FF, 1 INT
Love seeing Luke blowing up on the football side of coverage and recruiting. Really until this season, the majority of coverage relating to the multi-sport athlete was centered around basketball. However, coming into this season you could see the recognition and anticipation starting to build. His dominant play also clearly started catching the eyes of the highest level of competition as the senior signal caller made a gameday visit to the Minnesota Golden Gophers back on September 11. There is no question to whether he deserves that interest or not. The 6’3″ 200 lbs dual threat QB has been torching defenses the past couple seasons, but he has really taken that next step this fall. The signal caller plays with such impressive poise. Even if the pocket is collapsing, you never see him panic. Instead, he keeps his eyes downfield or, if necessary, has the ability to tuck it and take it 80+ to the house like he did to start his first half highlights. It’s interesting to look at his play on the basketball court and see how similar it is to his play on the gridiron. On the hardwood he also shows that ability to facilitate the ball averaging almost 5 assists a game, or he can take control of the game himself highlighted by his nearly 25 ppg as a junior. I think the interest is just starting to peak for Luke. Big things coming for him. Luke’s Midseason Highlights
John Clifford John Clifford 6'5" | 245 lbs | TE Watertown | 2022 State WI , OL 2022- Watertown
Season Stats: Blocked for 619 Passing Yards, 531 Rushing Yards, 16 Total Offensive TDs
I love the summer/fall that John has had! The Watertown product played TE on the super run heavy Watertown offense as a junior where he developed into a dominant run blocker. It was during that season as a TE that I got my first exposure to his film. That run blocking jumped off the tape and put it in my head that if the 6’5″ 260 lbs TE were to switch to OL he could potentially catch the eye of the D1 level. You can guess my excitement when I saw that he had been playing OG to start the first half of his senior season, and the film was even more impressive than I was hoping for. The big man moves so well for the guard position allowing him to reach block, or get to the second level, and he has the strength paired with the nasty mentality to maul defensive linemen. I was even more hyped to see that that position change and the film that came out of it eventually got him a gameday invite to Madison. Shortly after that visit Clifford announced he had earned a PWO to the home state team! Prior to that offer, John had held one other offer from Upper Iowa. It has been quite the breakout season for the stud OL this fall! Check him out! John’s Midseason Highlights
Cole Berghorn Cole Berghorn 6'0" | 210 lbs | ATH Badger | 2022 State WI , ATH 2022- Badger
Season Stats: 114 Carries, 1115 Yards, 14 TDs, 1 Reception, 18 Yards, 3 Tackles
Cole has busted his way onto the scene this fall the same way he has busted through about 100 tackle attempts in his first five games. The 6′ 210 lbs athlete has made an amazing jump as a senior. Just with his play at RB, through five games this season compared to last season he has 46 more carries, 721 more yards, and 7 more TDs. That huge jump in production matches up with the film. The state’s leading rusher in a physical ball carrier who definitely has the agility to win laterally, but is totally fine winning with his equally as gifted strength attributes and balance. The Badger athlete has also tested off the charts posting a 40 of 4.41, 40″ vertical jump, and a 4.1 shuttle time. The D1 level has taken notice of this huge first half of the season too. Berghorn was on the Gophers campus on September 11. It’s great to see the interest being reciprocated after Cole spent his summer at several camps including the Gophers’ camp and NIU. The athlete has a bright future ahead of him, and I believe we haven’t seen the full breakout yet as far as recruiting attention goes. He’s just getting started. Cole vs Elkhorn
Nick Blatnik Nick Blatnik 6'3" | 255 lbs | OL Arrowhead | 2022 State WI , OL 2022- Arrowhead
Season Stats: Blocked for 935 Passing Yards, 1115 Rushing Yards, 23 Total Offensive TDs
Talk about a breakout season! Maybe the most under the radar offensive linemen in Wisconsin coming into the fall season was the 6’3″ 255 OL/LS out of Arrowhead High School. It wasn’t from a lack of effort either. Nick had a solid junior campaign, and then I crossed paths with him at camps this past spring as he continuously worked to improve him game. Despite the work and the solid film, Blatnik was not getting the attention he deserved. That was until his film as a senior became available. This season, Nick has found his home at LT on one of the state’s most talented OL units.The leap from his junior film is clear as he has really improved his body control, and flexibility allowing him to be even more dominant, especially in the run game where he can let his aggressive mentality shine. I’ve also seen a ton of rave reviews on his leadership this season telling me that he is the complete package. To complete the breakout, Nick has finally received that recruiting attention he deserves. It started on September 6th with an offer from Northern Michigan, and then took a big leap forward with a PWO offer from the Fighting Illini on September 14th! Love seeing all the hard work pay off for these kids! Blatnik Week 5 OL Play
Drew Evans Drew Evans 6'4" | 260 lbs | OL Fort Atkinson | 2022 State WI , OL 2022- Fort Atkinson
Season Stats: Blocked for 452 Passing Yards, 890 Rushing Yards, 15 Total Offensive TDs
Drew is an interesting recruit to go back through and see how the breakout came about. The 6’4″ 260 lbs was on radars early and was receiving graphics from several FCS schools early in his junior year. However, as I was looking through his twitter feed it appears as though nothing has come of that interest, yet. These schools can’t hold off for much longer if they want his services. The film shows no reason to hold off. It shows more the opposite. Schools should be lining up at the door for the Fort Atkinson product. Watching through his senior film is so fun. The big man is a very effective puller from his guard position, and he steam rolls defenders with his heavy hands and far superior strength. Yet, after five weeks of dominant play nobody had come calling. That was until September 17th when Drew announced he had received a PWO from the Wisconsin Badgers! What a find by the Badgers as they look to potential steal one of the state’s most linemen. You gotta see this block!
Jack Strand, 2022 QB- Bloomer
Season Stats: 43/73, 719 Yards, 6 TDs
Jack is a breakout candidate on our radar, but based on his Twitter page it’s time for him to be a breakout for the college programs as well! The 6’4″ 210 lbs senior signal caller has a cannon for an arm. He has video on his twitter of himself throwing it 70+ yards in the air, and his game film from the first half of the season also highlights that arm strength. The type of arm strength that makes him just as dangerous 50 yards down the field as he is 10 yards down field. Watching through the film I have become impressed by his ability to control that live arm. He shows off good touch on shorter throws and when the window is wide open he understands he doesn’t need to deliver it 90 mph. Strand is also very good moving in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. Even when he has to drop his eyes he will get them back downfield as soon as he gets himself free of the pressure. Strand might be the biggest hidden gem at the QB position in WI. I don’t see any offers, so click on the film! You don’t want to miss this kid! Jack Strand First Half Highlights
Jackson Flottmeyer Jackson Flottmeyer 6'5" | 220 lbs | QB Aquinas | 2023 State WI , 2023 QB- La Crosse Aquinas
Season Stats: 48/61, 1,156 Yards, 18 TDs, 11 Carries, 66 Yards, 1 TD
One of the most efficient passers in the state is the junior QB out of La Crosse Aquinas. We are five games into the season, and Jackson only has 13 incompletions while also being 7th in passing yards, 2nd in TD passes, and 8th in QB rating. I have been lucky enough to watch Jackson live as a sophomore and a junior. The jump between the two was very clear. Not only has he added about 20 lbs, he has also seen a jump in his overall arm talent. His blend of touch and arm strength, paired with the ability to know when to use which has made him a very effective passer to every level of the field. I can tell the 6’5″ 215 lbs QB has also gained a lot of his coaches’ trust as he clearly handles a much larger portion of the team’s offensive success compared to last fall. He has rewarded that trust with not only those impressive numbers and the big leap in development, but also by leading his team to a 5-0 record. To date, Jackson has heard from NDSU, Central Michigan, Yale, Iowa State, and Air Force. Jackson is one of the biggest junior breakouts of the fall thus far. Check out his film! Flottmeyer Weeks 1-5
Nollenn Tabaska, TE 2023- Brookfield East
Season Stats: 2 Receptions, 45 Yards, 2 TDs
Until this season, Tabaska was a basketball recruit. Well deserved as the 6’7″ 230 lbs junior has the tools and traits to succeed on the hardwood. However, Tabaska has been taking his talents to the gridiron this fall and the early returns are exciting. He hasn’t gotten involved in the passing game much, but his two receptions show off sufficient long speed and a tough runner with the ball in his hands that’s not easy to drag down. He also did a good job using that size to shield the ball on one of his catches. Nollenn makes his largest impact as a blocker. He has made an impact out wide blocking downfield, and in the traditional inline TE position. He uses that elite length to get the initial contact and then is able to walk defenders back off the line. It’s not easy to have the athleticism to stalk block out in space on a DB and then drive a DE off the ball the next play. Tabaska has shown he can. He has fully broken onto our radar here at Prep Redzone WI. Take a look at for yourselves! Nollenn Weeks 1-4
Najeh Mitchell Najeh Mitchell 5'9" | 175 lbs | ATH West De Pere | 2023 State WI , ATH 2023- West De Pere
Season Stats: 94 Carries, 347 Yards, 8 TDs, 17 Receptions, 290 Yards, 5 TDs
Najeh has quickly become one of the most exciting young playmakers in Wisconsin. A year ago, Najeh was an electric change of pace back for his team as he averaged over 12 yards a carry. As a junior this fall, he has been utilized in much more of a three down role leading to impressive numbers and explosive plays. Where Najeh catches the most eyes is with his work as an athlete out in space. Whether attacking the edges with the run or allowing him to get downfield in the passing game, once Mitchell gets out in the open he is hard to keep up with and even harder to contain after he gets the ball. Najeh possesses lightning fast long speed, acceleration, hands, and vision to become a D1 playmaker. Najeh started receiving that D1 interest back on August 14 when the Badgers invited him out to their week one game. Since then, he has heard from Central Michigan Dartmouth, as well as continued graphics from the Badgers. Najeh Week 1-4 Highlights
Jerry Kaminski Jerry Kaminski 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Sun Prairie East | 2023 State WI , QB 2023- Sun Prairie
Season Stats: 58/83, 1,014 Yards, 17 TDs, 0 INTs, 13 Carries, 89 Yards, 2 TDs
Every week Jerry breaks out a little bit more than he did the week before. We are five weeks into the season and the junior signal caller still hasn’t committed a turnover. Don’t let that trick you into thinking he is conservative with the ball. Jerry attacks every level of the field on his way to piling up wins and impressive numbers. Numbers that put him top 3 in TD passes, top 10 in QB rating, and top 15 in passing yards in the state. All those eye catching numbers are on the back of only the 77th most pass attempts. That perfectly highlights how well he not only protects the ball, but how efficient he is with the ball. That efficiency comes from an arm that has developed very well over the past several months. The short, intermediate, and deep accuracy have always been there, but the velocity he has been able to put on the ball this fall to hit the tight windows and not have to loft the ball downfield has me thinking that the Sun Prairie product has a future at the D1 level. The D1 level seems to agree as NIU, and Wisconsin have both had him on campus for gameday visits this fall. Check out his junior film! Jerry’s Midseason Highlights
Ben Vallafskey Ben Vallafskey 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Appleton West | 2023 State WI , RB 2023- Appleton West
Season Stats: 117 Carries, 747 Yards, 5 TDs, 7 Receptions, 61 Yards, 2 KO Returns, 118 Yards, 1 TD
Ben has put together a very impressive junior campaign! The 5’10” 175 lbs RB has taken the next step in his development and performance on the field since the spring when he played his sophomore season. As far as usage, you can see that his team has started relying heavily on him as he has already more than doubled his touches and yards from the spring. It’s also noteworthy that he has 100 more carries than the next closest RB on the team and Ben has more rush attempts than the team has pass attempts. So the offense goes as Ben goes. That has proven to be a great gameplan because teams haven’t been able to slow down the impressive athlete. Watching through the film it looks like Vallafskey is well on his way towards possessing D1 level instincts, playmaking abilities, and speed. I’m not the only one who seems to believe that. Starting September 9, Ben has started receiving interest from the FCS and FBS levels as NDSU and Wisconsin have both sent interest including a gameday invite from NDSU. This looks like just the start of an exciting recruitment for a very explosive weapon. Ben vs Hortonville