Week 3 Top Performances: Class of 2023
In this article:
Time to turn our eyes to the Class of 2023 and their performances in Week 3! We have some crazy performances to dive into too. We have a 300 yard rusher, players making impacts at new positions, and players making…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTime to turn our eyes to the Class of 2023 and their performances in Week 3! We have some crazy performances to dive into too. We have a 300 yard rusher, players making impacts at new positions, and players making big plays on both sides of the ball. I can’t wait to see the film, so let’s not waste any time and dive into it!
Colin O’Neil Colin O’Neil 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Cashton | 2023 State WI , RB- Cashton
Stat Line: 18 Carries, 153 Yards, 2 TDs, 2 Tackles, 1 INT
Another strong performance by Cashton’s workhorse back. This week’s first play does a great job of highlighting who Colin is as a ball carrier. He has big play potential because of the way he plays without hesitation. When you don’t hesitate you don’t need to slow down, so O’Neil is able to hit the line at full speed. From there he uses his power to easily break through any and all arm tackle attempts, and he has enough long speed to pick up a long of yardage once he gets to open field. Colin is also one of the most consistent players that I have covered. You know what you are getting from him week in and week out. Check him out! Colin’s Week 3 Highlights
Deven Soerens, RB/LB- Cedar Grove- Belgium
Stat Line: 10 Carries, 132 Yards, 1 TD
We have covered Deven a couple times this season, but that was as an OLB prospect. This week the dude went off from his FB position posting 13+ yards per carry on the way to a dominant night. Deven attacked the edges of the defense on the majority of his carries. He looked to be a decisive ball carrier. He would stretch the defense, and as soon as he saw a lane or had a blocker he could utilize Deven would stick his foot in the ground and get north and south. He is definitely more of a power back, and that shined through once he got north-south and started breaking arm tackles with ease and always picking up yards after contact or falling forward at the very least. Deven’s Week 3 Highlights
Ryder LeSage, WR- West De Pere
Stat Line: 3 Receptions, 56 Yards
It’s quick film, but it has the makings of a solid WR prospect. The 5’11″ 160 lbs WR did all his damage from the slot position, and was able to attack the defensive backfield in a couple ways. His first reception we got a glimpse of the straight line speed as he ate up a large cushion from the safety, and then beat him deep with that speed to haul in a long pass. Then Ryder gave us a glimpse into some of his route running with a pair of out routes that gave his QB plenty of room to target. This is my first film of Ryder. I’ll be keeping track of him. Ryder’s Week 3 Highlights
Dawson Rud Dawson Rud 5'7" | 170 lbs | RB Mondovi | 2023 State WI , RB- Mondovi
Stat Line: 30 Carries, 310 Yards, 3 TDs
What a performance! Wow! Just the stats alone are mind blowing! He took a full time workload of 30 carries and then he went and averaged over a first down with every touch. Not to mention he averaged a TD every 10th touch! You won’t find better production this week. The 5’8″ 165 lbs RB has eye catching speed, and has been timed as fast as 4.57. One of the most impressive parts of the film, and something I wasn’t expecting, is how many arm tackles he broke. An athlete his size doesn’t give off the idea that he will be able to play through a ton of contact, but that’s what Dawson did in week three. Rud is a true playmaker. Nearly every snap of his highlights seems like a play that not many backs could make. His elusiveness in the open field and in tight quarters, thanks to his quick feet, allowed him to also make several defenders miss on the way to his elite night. Check out the film. This kid is explosive! Dawson’s Week 3 Highlights
Gunnar Hanson, OL- Waukesha West
Stat Line: Blocked for 150+ Passing Yards, 360+ Rushing Yards
The 6’5″ 300 lbs Waukesha West product spent week three mauling defensive linemen. The strength jumps off the tape as he plows linemen off the ball and into the second level. That’s just in one on one situations. When Gunnar double teams linemen he and his partner are able to bury defenders with ease. Hanson gains the upper hand quickly in the run game because of his heavy hands that give defenders very strong shots that stop their momentum. Then from there Gunnar does a strong job of keeping those heavy hands on the defender as he removes them from the line of scrimmage. Very exciting OL product to keep your eyes on. Gunnar’s Week 3 Highlights
Nolan Wulf Nolan Wulf 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR West Bend West | 2023 State WI , WR- West Bend West
Stat Line: 6 Receptions, 67 Yards, 1 TD
After missing a week due to Covid, Nolan was back on the field hauling in targets. The 6’2″ 180 lbs junior is shaping into a solid go-to WR. He is able to win while lined up in the slot or out wide. I really like his spatial awareness during his route running. For example, on his TD reception this week he did a great job not fading towards the sideline as he beat the DB. Instead he stayed on his path from the slot allowing himself the space to run the corner route on the short side of the field. I really liked the way Nolan also used his length keep defenders away from the ball on his underneath routes. As long as he had the defender at his back they couldn’t get to the ball. Nolan is going to be a WR to know as the attention turns to 2023s over the next several months. Nolan’s Week 3 Highlights
Maliq Crawford Maliq Crawford 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Brookfield Academy | 2023 State WI , WR/DB- Brookfield Academy
Stat Line: 2 Receptions, 64 Yards, 1 TD, 5 Total Tackles
Another solid week of two way play for the Brookfield Academy prospect. The 5’11″ 165 lbs athlete had a very impressive TD reception that highlighted his concentration and top end speed. He was able to haul in the pass with 4 defenders closing on him, and then get right to top speed smoothly as he left the defenders in his wake. On defense, despite not being the biggest kid, Maliq is not afraid to do the dirty work and make tackles out on the edge against the run game. Crawford is a versatile athlete that could find a home on either side of the ball at the next level. Maliq’s Week 3 Highlights
Thomas Paasch Thomas Paasch 6'7" | 295 lbs | OL Green Bay Southwest | 2023 State WI , OL- Green Bay Southwest
Stat Line: N/A
I love this kid’s mean streak in his film. He is looking to bury kids, and he has the tools to be able to do it at a consistent rate. The 6’6″ 290 lbs OT is a massive presence to get around the edge on. Where he shines is when he attacks in the run game. Led by heavy hands, Paasch is able to get a good punch on initial contact. There’s one clip in the film where that punch alone puts a DL on the ground. Once he gets those clamps on the defender Thomas doesn’t have much of an issue walking defenders off the ball. As soon as he gets on his feet churning he has far superior strength in his lower body to clear huge running lanes by driving guys off the ball or collapsing them down the line of scrimmage. Love the improvement in his body control that he has shown over the past couple weeks as well. Check this dude out! Thomas’ Week 3 Highlights
Jackson Flottmeyer Jackson Flottmeyer 6'5" | 220 lbs | QB Aquinas | 2023 State WI , QB- La Crosse Aquinas
Stat Line: 7/10, 146 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Carry, 26 Yards
Jackson is in the midst of a breakout junior season! A member of the Top 10 in passing yards and passing TDs, Jackson has led his team to a 3-0 record on the year with a well developed skill set. The 6’5″ 215 lbs QB has elite size for the position that comes with enough dual threat ability to at least be able to buy time inside and outside of the pocket at the next level. The biggest improvement is Jackson’s overall arm strength. He has always been able to put the ball where he needs it with accuracy and touch, but this season Flottmeyer has shown a jump in the velocity he is able to put on the ball as he drives it downfield. All while the accuracy is sustained. Aquinas is playing in one of four games in action this Thursday. You can bet I’ll be in attendance to watch Jackson and his team. Jackson’s Week 3 Highlights
Austin Eklund Austin Eklund 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Sussex Hamilton | 2023 State WI , DB- Hamilton Sussex
Stat Line: 2 Tackles, 0 Receptions Allowed
Austin is one of the state’s top 2023 DB prospects, and he received that type of respect on the field in week three. The 6’ 160 lbs DB only saw one target on the night that was overthrown. We still got to see a lot of what makes Eklund the DB that he is. Austin proved to be an aggressive, man to man cover corner who already has solid length for the position and isn’t afraid to get right up to the line and press the receiver. This week we got to see Austin go up against a larger target, and even the size advantage wasn’t enough to create separation from Austin. The other of his game that jumps off the tape is his speed to be able to turn and run with his receiver in man to man. The film shows his ability to easily flip his hips and go stride for stride with the receiver while staying right in his hip. Check him out! Austin’s Week 3 Highlights
Carsen Koch Carsen Koch 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Madison East | 2023 WI , QB- Madison East
Stat Line: N/A
Carsen led Madison East into a huge showdown with rival Madison West this past Friday night, and helped them pull out the hard fought 24-22 victory. Carsen did his damage predominantly through the air with a focus on shredding the defense in the short to intermediate range. His timing with his receivers was perfect throughout the night as he as able to going through his drop and hit his targets in stride allowing them to do damage after the catch. The velocity that Koch was able to put on the ball in that range made it hard for defenders to react to the throw, much less make an actual play on the ball. Carsen is also a good athlete that shows that he can be very elusive inside and outside of the pocket as a runner and as he buys time. Another kid to keep an eye on in a very deep 2023 QB Class here in Wisconsin!
@CarsoGbg Carsen Koch 2023 Madison East. Highlights including a 90 yd drive for the win over @MadisonWestHS. True East West battle 24-22. @EastSide_FB @MJ_NFLDraft @thebrickwahl87 @PrepRedzoneWI @PrepRedzone @UWPlattFootball @UWStoutFootball @WisPrepZone @QBNation2023 pic.twitter.com/O5CjstxDdg
— Coach K (C. Koch) (@kochc78) September 4, 2021
Matthew Miller Matthew Miller 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Fall River | 2023 State WI , ATH- Fall River
Stat Line:15 Carries, 126 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 Tackle
Matthew is more of a do it all athlete than any specific position. This game alone he threw the ball, ran the ball, led blocked downfield, and long snapped. Miller’s main standout is on the ground from the QB position. He does an impressive job of playing in super tight quarters and using his vision to find the smallest openings to continue picking up yards before being gang tackled to the ground. Matthew had a very successful night attacking the edge of the defense where he could utilize his vision to be able to find the natural lanes between defenders as they got spread out while he stretched the defense laterally. Matthew’s Week 3 Highlights