PrepRedzone’s 2021 Regular Season Top Midwest Performers
In this article:
Autumn is firmly upon us, and as the leaves begin to change, the temperature drops, and more and more teams get eliminated from the state playoffs each week, I wanted to take advantage of this window of opportunity and wrap…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAutumn is firmly upon us, and as the leaves begin to change, the temperature drops, and more and more teams get eliminated from the state playoffs each week, I wanted to take advantage of this window of opportunity and wrap up our weekly PrepRedzone featured series covering and highlight Midwest stat monsters and top performers. If you read last week’s edition, you got to see which athletes from the middle of America had the craziest single-game performances from this 2021 regular season, and boy were there some numbers put up. We had athletes from Wisconsin put up 11, 9, and 7 TD showings, Kansas preps rushing and throwing for 6 TDs, Nebraskans pick off 6 interceptions, and more monster stat lines than you could believe from the 12 best states in America. Now that we’ve wrapped up the single-game feature, I wanted to end things on a high note and highlight the Top-2 overall individual performers from the 2021 regular season from each of the 11 states in America’s Heartland. As a quick note, a PrepRedzone “Top Performer” in this case doesn’t necessarily mean the state’s leader in an offensive category, but rather an athlete who has continually and consistently caught our attention for his week-to-week production on the gridiron, and/or whose film and Hudl tape have been up to snuff. I am very excited to bring to our subscribers these couple dozen absolute stud selections, as well as a brief glimpse into their weekly production, season totals, and an evaluation of their game. Thanks so much for reading and congratulations to the 2021 PrepRedzone Top Midwest Performers. What a season it’s been.
Dakotas
1) Lincoln Kienholz (Pierre, SD) 2023. QB. 6’3, 185 lbs. @LincolnKienholz
A multi-time PrepRedzone Weekly Top Performer honoree, Kienholz was the most productive QB in both North and South Dakota and finished with some impressive stats to go along with some eye-popping, single-game performances during the regular season. The junior went 18-27 for 400 yards and threw a whopping 7 TDs against Aberdeen Central on October 15th, and also completed 11 passes on 18 attempts for 193 yards along with 4 TDs against Douglas. He also balled out against Huron on October 1st, and 16-27 for 396 yards and 8 TDs! The stat monster finished with 156 completions on 286 attempts for 2,849 yards and 35 TDs to only 5 interceptions. He also added 127 rushes for 874 yards and 10 TDs, and added 24 tackles and 2 interceptions on defense as well as a forced fumble. The three-sport standout also was the team’s punter and averaged 40 yards a punt with eight balls inside the 20. His Week 1-8 film shows a mobile and athletic signal caller who can buy time scrambling in and outside of the pocket and improvise and make plays with things break down. His long legs and athletic frame help him slip out of weaker tackle attempts whether he’s on the run or scrambling, but he’s primarily a throw-first QB who keeps his eyes downfield when he’s out on the edge with the ball. He also shows some accuracy and touch on his balls downfield, and can put zip onto his shorter throws and is always able to hit his receivers in stride. At around a minute into his junior tape he makes an impressive throw on a rope from the boundary hash mark to the opposite sideline on a corner route that his throw made look like a deep comeback. I think the arm strength may be legit, and there’s just a lot to like on tape that makes me think he could play D1 football at the QB position one day. With the attention Jacob Knuth (Harrisburg HS, Minnesota commit) brought to South Dakota and of course the QB position, I’m hoping Kienholz can ride that momentum and college coaches will be checking out the Mount Rushmore State for gunslingers and will run across this athletic, intriguing, junior prospect and see what I see. He’s got a fan in me now, and it’s been fun watching him tear it up this season.
2) Xander Sheehan (Hamlin, SD) 2022. QB. 5’11, 185 lbs. @XanderSheehan
Another multi-time PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performer selection, Sheehan recently visited Augustana University in Sioux Falls but doesn’t hold any official offers at this time. The Hamlin High School senior had a big game in Week 8 against Oldham-Ramona/Rutland and went 19-26 for 325 yards and 3 TDs (Game 8 highlights), and also had a big day against Warner and completed 19 passes on 28 attempts for 339 yards and 2 TDs. He also added a 4 TD performance against Arlington/Lake Preston on eight completions, and finished his season with 104 completions on 164 attempts 1,705 yards and 18 TDs to only 3 interceptions. He also added 97 rushes for 574 yards and 8 TDs, five tackles on defense, and also handled kickoffs and punts. On kicks he averaged almost 50 yards a pop and on punts he was averaged out at almost 42 yards an attempt. His highlights display a QB prospect who can fire the ball out of his hand quickly and with a ton of power, as his deep balls get a ton of air before he drops them into the breadbasket, and I love how he can show some velocity on his shorter throws. He can fit the ball into tight windows, gets the ball out of his hands quickly, and is poised in the pocket and can step through pressure easily. It definitely looks like he could play QB at the college level, and I hope some local DIIs, DIIIs, and NAIAs give him a look. Keep it up, Xander! Best Highlights
Illinois
1) Seth Glatz (Morton) 2022. RB/OLB. 5’11, 185 lbs. @SethGlatz
Recently received his first college football offer from Missouri Baptist after leading the Land of Lincoln in rushing with 2,422 yards on 251 carries for 36 TDs. At an impressive 9.6 yards per carry, he had single-game TD totals of 5, 4, 4, 5, and 7 TDs, and rushed for over 215 yards eight times, including 344 and 417 yard games. He also added 57 total tackles, 13 TFLs, and 6 sacks plus an interception defensively. On his Week 1-6 highlights you can see a RB with big play ability who can take advantage when given daylight and has a nose for the endzone. His OL opened some big holes for him, but Glatz still could burn by angles of DBs and has some shake and a strong cutting ability in the open field to consistently make the first man miss. He has the lower body strength to run through weaker tackle attempts and shows good balance to boot, and can hurt defenses between the tackles or out on the edge. I’m surprised there isn’t more college interest here!
2) Aiden Cyr (Hoffman Estates) 2023. QB. 6’5, 195 lbs. @AidenCyr_
The most consistent PrepRedzoneIL Top Weekly passing Performer, Cyr was a multi-time selection who possesses great size for the position and finished as the third leading passer in all of Illinois at the end of the regular season. He finished with over a 70% completion percentage and completed 126 passes on 179 attempts for 2,226 yards and 28 TDs to only 4 interceptions. Some of his single-game performances that earned him PRZ Top Weekly Performer nods included going 15-19 for 324 yards and 5 TDs against Fremd High School, 25-37 for 353 yards and 6 TDs plus a rushing TD against Schaumburg, and 21-28 for 434 yards and 4 TDs against Rolling Meadows. On tape, Cyr has a long, lean frame that will thrive in a college strength and conditioning program, and he possesses some solid on his deep balls and puts the ball where only his WR can make a play on it. He also has a quick release and put some balls into some tighter windows in his junior tape. I like the groundwork he’s laid as a prospect and he should be one of the best ‘QB prospects in his state next season. He’s also got his Hoffman Estates squad heading into Round 2 of the playoffs, so his season ain’t over yet. Good luck, Aiden! Junior SZN Week 1-9
Indiana
1) Alan Karrfalt (Covington) 2022. QB. 6′, 165 lbs. @AKarrfalt
Also a selection for a PrepRedzone Top Regular SZN Single-Game Performance in the state of Indiana, Karrfalt is the Hoosier State’s passing leader who averaged nearly 300 yards a game in the 2021 regular season. A total stat monster in 2021, Karrfalt finished with 257 completions off 411 attempts for 3,289 yards to go along with 38 TDs and 10 interceptions in 11 contests. He recorded three games where he passed for over 400 yards, posted seven games where he threw for over 4 TDs, and averaged 12.8 yards a toss. He had three particularly thrilling games in 2021: a 44-62 for 544 and 8 TDs against South Vermillion, a 33-54 for 458 and 5 TD game against North Vermillion, and a 40-58 for 485 yards and 5 TD performance against Fountain Central. He also added 108 rushes for 557 yards and 11 TDs. Unfortunately, he hasn’t updated his film from this season but I hope he gets on that soon now that Covington’s season has ended against Riverton Parke.
2) Chrishon McCray (Avon, Indiana) 2022. WR/RB. 6′, 165 lbs. Committed to Kent State.
The senior offensive weapon had a ridiculous receiving season in Indiana and was a multi-time PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performer throughout the regular season who was just too consistent to leave off this list. There were a ton of impressive rushers and rushing performances in the Hoosier State this season, but it was rare to see some of the receiving stat lines that the Kent State commit was producing throughout the entire Midwest, much less Indiana, so my gut told me to go with Mr. McCray. Some of the efforts that earned him a PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performer nod included an 8 catch, 317 yard, 4 TD game vs. Ben Davis,a 12 catch for 230 yard and 4 TD game vs. Z’Ville where he also passed for a touchdown, and a 4 catch for 156 yard and 2 TD game against Brownsburg. Although these big games helped him pad the stats, what really set things apart for me was the fact that McCray’s production came on a 1-9 Avon Orioles squad that took some lumps and had some tough losses this fall. Despite the team woes, he still finished as the second statistical receiving leader in the state, behind only a Covington WR who had the #1 top performer in the state throwing to him. On tape, he shows some game-changing speed that can finish plays when he’s given daylight and can burn angles of defenders, as well as eat up DB cushions when going deep. He also possesses some quick feet in the open field who can throw a well-timed cut on an opponent with deadly accuracy, and also shows body control and the ability to high-point the football up and over defenders if need be. His speed shows up on film the most and he had a heckuva senior season that should have the Golden Flashes coaching staff excited. Midseason Highlights
Iowa
1) Caden Matson (Humboldt, Iowa) 2022. QB. 6′, 185 lbs. @CadenMatson
The undisputed stat monster in the Hawkeye State, it felt like every week for the PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performer series I was adding the senior from Humboldt under the state of Iowa. Check out some of the stat lines produced by the 6′, 185 lb. gunslinger:
– Against Webster City he threw 15-16 for 233 yards and 5 TDs and added 10 carries for 48 yards in a 35-7 win last Friday! Hudl: vs. Webster City High School
– In his Week 2 matchup against Garner-Hayfield/Ventura the 2021 stat monster went 12-23 for 296 yards and 4 TDs + 17 carries for 149 yards. Hudl: highlights
– The consistent top performer had another big week against Esterville Lincoln Central as he went 14-23 for 231 yards and 2 TDs through the air and added 26 rushes for 109 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. Hudl: highlights
– The ultra-productive stat monster went 14-15 passing for 209 yards and 2 TDs and added 30 carries for 240 yards and 4 TDs in a 52-31 win over North Polk.
His success earned him in-season offers from the University of St. Thomas and Pittsburg State, and he’s also visited Missouri Western, Northwest Missouri State, Northern Iowa, and MSU-Mankato this fall. Although he’s only ranked 7th in the state in passing yards and 5th in passing TDs- having posted 145 completions on 199 attempts for 2,319 yards and 30 TDs to 8 interceptions – what really set him apart from the rest of the stat monsters was his accuracy and how well he takes care of the football. He had far and away the highest completion percentage of any QB in the Top-10 of Iowa, and there was only one player who threw less interceptions, so I think it’s safe to say he’s smart with the football. Additionally, he was quite consistent with his week-to-week production, and has led his Humboldt squad to an undefeated 10-0 record going into the 3A quarterfinal matchup with Independence this Friday. He also rushed for 1,310 yards and 13 TDs and added 43 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and an interception on defense. In his first four week tape, Matson shows off his athleticism as a ball carrier, as he threw a Marshawn Lynch worthy stiff-arm to throw a kid off him. He also uses that athleticism to make accurate throws on the run, and to come up and hit ya from his safety spot as well as make plays on the ball when it’s in the air. He probably projects as a wideout or DB in college, but he’s been a phenomenal prep QB who has state championship dreams for his senior year. Keep an eye on Matson and the Humboldt squad! Weeks 1-4
2) Bryant Williams (Burlington) 2022. RB. 5’9, 180 lbs. @BBryantWilliams
One of the most selected PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performers of the entire 2021 regular season, Williams was a 4x honoree of the Top Performers series that included performances of 23 carries for 345 yards and 3 TDs to set his school record for single-game rushing yards (highlights from BW), a 19 carries for 208 yards and 4 score game, a 17 rush for 237 yard and 5 TD effort vs. Clinton, and a 20 carry for 206 and 2 TD game versus Iowa City Liberty (vs. ICL). He totaled 219 rushes for 2,226 yards and 28 TDs for an impressive 10.2 YPC average. He also added a receiving TD, an interception, 9 kickoff returns for 222 yards and a TD, and three 2pt conversions. He’s taken gameday invites to Iowa State and Iowa this fall and has received a fair amount of interest from Drake, but at this point in 2021 he is without an offer. It’s surprising, as Williams had some electric runs in 2021 and showcases some legit speed on film that is a total gamechanger for his offense. With breakaway burners, the senior also has a ton of tackle breaking ability and possesses a strong lower body and a low center of gravity that makes him hard to line up and get a clean shot on. He can run and slip through weaker tackle attempts and has the burst to pull away from defenders bearing down on him, and also can completely annihilate angles and scorch defenses when he gets the edge. Also shows good vision and the quick feet to cut by defenders and leave them sprawling in his wake. Man, he’s fun to watch, and scholarship programs really need to start getting involved with this kid. I love watching him run. Senior Year Highlights
Kansas
1) Camden Barta (Seaman) 2022. QB/DB. 6’3, 200 lbs. @camden_barta
The 1x PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performer is an accomplished safety but had a heckuva senior campaign at QB and is currently sitting at 123 completions on 198 attempts for 1,911 yards and 21 TDs to only 5 interceptions. He also added 193 yards on the ground and 4 TDs, as well as 46 tackles, 2 TFLs, and an interception on the defensive side of the ball. He had a couple of particularly noteworthy single-game performances in 2021, including a 10-14 for 337 yard and 5 TD effort against West, a 22-36 for 270 yards and 4 TD game versus Washburn Rural, and a 18-21 for 312 yards and 4 TDs against Emporia High School. Currently, he holds offers from the likes of Culver-Stockton, Highland CC, Bethel College, MidAmerica Nazarene, Coffeyville CC, Friends University, Ottawa University, Hutchinson CC, and Bethany College. His offensive film at the midseason point of the season showcases a QB with some natural arm strength and accuracy who is a good athlete at the position, but his safety highlights are where he really shines. He can run the alley and lay the wood with authority, and has the athleticism to break on the ball and make plays on poorly thrown tosses. His future is at safety, but with that knowledge I think it’s even more impressive that he’s the #3 QB in the state in passing yards.
2) LJ Phillips (Wichita Northwest) 2023. RB. 5’9, 200 lbs. @LJphillips_12
The third leading rusher in the Sunflower State, Phillips is sitting at 120 carries for 1,835 yards and 25 TDs at a baller 15.3 YPC average with his season still ongoing in the Kansas state playoffs. During the regular season he posted some nutty single-game efforts such as his 23 carries for 260 yards and 4 TDs against Heights, an 11 carry for 333 yards and 4 TDs against Southeast, and 10 rushes for 262 carries and 5 TDs versus South High School, and totaled five games over 200 yards during the season. He’s a thicker RB prospect who can break tackles in a variety of ways and is fun to watch as he’s a great combination of speed and strength. With great speed for his size, he can burn defenders angles, cut on a dime, and sees the cutback lanes well. Speed is the name of his game, but with solid size for the RB position he can drag, run through, and break weaker tackle attempts at his thighs and chest, and is overall is a definite name to watch out of Kansas in their loaded 2023 class. Regular SZN 2021
Michigan
1) Ty Holtz (DeWitt) 2022. QB. 5’11, 195 lbs. Committed to Brown University. @tyholtz_
A PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performer selection, Holtz is a 2020 state champion who built on his junior season to ball out in the state of Michigan as a senior and has thrown for the sixth most yards, tied for second in TDs, and seventh in yards per game up to this point in the season. At the time of this article being published he has gone 104-174 for 1,971 yards and 27 TDs to only 3 interceptions, and has added 89 rushes for 585 yards and an additional 8 TDs. Some of his best single-game performances during 2021 include a 15-27 for 353 and 6 TD night against Traverse City Central and a 9-10 for 277 yard and 3 TD performances versus East Lansing, but what mostly set him apart was his consistency throughout the year. His QB rate only dipped below 100 once during the year, and he never threw more than one interception in a game as well. His senior week 1-4 highlights display a QB with a strong arm who is athletic and elusive when maneuvering in the pocket and possesses a smooth, quick release and consistent footwork. He can launch the ball downfield and hit his receivers in stride, fire deep outs and slants with velocity, and is athletic enough to hurt defenses when he takes off and runs. I really like watching him work to buy time and let his receivers get open when things break down, and he is smart with the football and seems to make good decisions in terms of ball placement and getting the ball out quickly. Brown University and the Ivy league is getting a stud!
2) Kellen Reed (Holt) 2022. WR. 5’10, 155 lbs. Committed to Grand Valley State University. @Reed2Kellen
Reed is heading to DII powerhouse Grand Valley State after he graduates this spring, but before that he’s put up one of the best receiving campaigns in all of Michigan in 2021. The PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performer awardee is ranked fifth in the state for receiving yards with 864 and has posted a noteworthy 22.7 yards per reception average to go along with 12 TDs. He also added a rushing TD and a kickoff return TD to boot, and has totaled 1,223 AP yards during last year of playing high school ball. On tape, Reed is a legit burner who can go from 0-60 in a flash and has a ton of elusiveness in the open field. That speed is also very useful in tracking down and getting under deep balls, especially when they’re overthrown, and he absolutely tears by DBs when running his routes and eats up their cushions like it’s his Thanksgiving dinner. For a smaller prospect, he also possesses good contact balance and can run through and break weaker tackle attempts as a ball carrier. He’s also a willing downfield blocker and checks the boxes you want in the physicality department. He’s fun to watch play football and had himself a really strong 2021. GVSU is getting a baller! Senior SZN
Minnesota
1) Emmett Johnson (Academy of Holy Angels) 2022. RB. 6′, 185 lbs. @EmmettJohnson_
The Land of 10,000 Lakes stat monster is second in MN in carries with 269, first in yards with 2,030, and first in TDs with 35 – which is 10 more than the next leading RB. Johnson has also added 58 tackles, 9 TFLs, 2 FF, 2 INTs, and a kickoff return for a TD. He’s had an incredible senior season that has resulted in him winning a ton of PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performer nods as well as a ton of local coverage from Minneapolis’ media. His production has lead to in-season offers from Florida A&M, Southern Illinois, and St. Thomas, as well as gameday visits to Iowa State and Iowa, but is still holding out for a P5 offer as either a RB or DB, both of which he plays well. Check out some of his stat lines from the 2021 season so far:
– 37 carries for 240 yards and 4 TDs against Hill-Murray
– 38 carries for 360 yards and 5 TDs against South St. Paul
– 28 carries for 222 yards and 4 TDs against Benilde-St. Margaret’s
– 24 rushes for 416 yards and 5 TDs against St. Louis Park
– 50 carries for 229 yards and 4 TDs against Waconia
– 17 carries for 235 yards and 5 TDs against Delasalle
He hasn’t rushed for less than 100 yards once in 2021, averages 225.6 yards rushing per game, and has scored at least one TD in every contest Holy Angels has played in this season. On tape, Johnson is an intriguing blend of speed, quickness, burst, and vision, and has a very powerful cutting ability when he sticks his foot in the ground and plants on a dime. He’s great at setting up defenders in the open field as well as waiting for a hole or lane to develop, and sees the field well overall. He’s also got the game speed to take advantage of the edge or an open hole to daylight, and possesses a ton of pop as a DB and closes on the football in impressive fashion. Whoever gets this kid is getting a stud. 2021 Highlights
2) TJ Chiabotti (North Woods) 2022. RB. 5’11, 195 lbs. @tjchiabotti24
This is the Northern Minnesota RB’s second year putting up ridiculous numbers on the gridiron, yet somehow the senior is still without an offer at the time of this article being published. The second-leading rushing in the state and fifth in MN in TDs, Chiabotti did it in far less carries than his peers and put up 1,818 yards on only 164 carries to go along with 22 TDs and zero fumbles. That’s a 227.2 per game average and a 11.1 per carry clip, and he had three particularly strong games during the regular season that included: 20 carries for 306 yards and 5 TDs against Chisolm, 19 rushes for 348 yards and 4 TDs at Braham, and 22 for 320 and 3 TDs versus Mesabi East. He was one of the more recognized PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performers of the 2021 season, and backed it up with the Hudl film. He had electric runs that involved him throwing defenders off his back, pumping his legs through multiple person dog piles, and crazy cuts, jukes, spins, and truck sticks for some eye-popping reps over the course of the season. It looks like he just received a gameday invite from NAIA heavyweight Valley City State, so I hope the Vikings like what they see from the young man. Keep it up, TJ! Full 2021 SZN
HM: Jacob Weckop (Randolph) 2022. QB. 6’2, 180 lbs. @JacobWeckop
Full Season Stats: 149-256 for 2,544 yards and 29 TDs.
Best Games: 12-17 for 331 yards and 5 TDs at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown – 21-37 for 520 yards and 5 TDs at Kenyon-Wanamingo
Missouri
1) Cooper Brown (Holt) 2022. QB. 6’3, 205 lbs. @cooperbrown_22
One of the most written about Midwest athletes from this 2021 season comes out of the Show-Me State and the prolific gunslinger Cooper Brown. Mr. Brown just visited UT-Martin a few days ago, visited Lindenwood in late October, and is also coming off being named the GAC South Player of the Year and a First Team All-Conference QB. He was named to the PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performers four times throughout the regular season, and put up some crazy stats such as his 21-26 for 403 yards and 4 TDs + 2 rushing TDs vs. FZW, a 23-31 for 277 yards and 4 TDs for a 74.1% completion percentage game against Timberland (Game 4), a 27-38 for 338 yards and 3 TDs vs. T-P, and a 196 yard, 5 TD, 82% completion percentage win at Howell Central. He finished his season going 151-202 for 2,326 yards and 32 TDs to only 4 interceptions, and added 270 rushing yards and 6 TDs. His almost 75% completion rate really stands out, and on film he’s calm, cool, and collected in the pocket and a good athlete at his size who can evade pressure in the pocket and deliver a strike downfield or take off for a big gain. He also shows some solid accuracy and flick the ball out of his hand quickly and effectively on a variety of throws. He’s also smart with the football and seems to do a good job of reading multiple progressions through the course of a play. There’s a lot to like on film, and when you back it up with his production it’s a tough combo to beat. He only holds offers from Benedictine and Culver-Stockton at this point in time so I hope some more programs get involved. Regular Season Highlights
2) Cole Rickermann (Festus) 2022. QB. 6’2, 170 lbs. @ColeRickermann
Another signal-caller from the Show-Me State who had an impressive senior campaign and was named to the PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performer teams three times throughout 2021, Rickermann broke the single-season passing record at Festus High School with 2,613 yards in 2021 and is still alive in the MO state playoffs tomorrow. At the end of the regular season he totaled 109 completions on 160 attempts with 24 TDs to only 2 interceptions, and lead the STL metro area with 2,345 passing yards. Some of his performances that earned him PRZ weekly recognition included his 15-26 for 364 yards and 3 TD game vs. Farmington, a 17-29 for 344 yard and 5 TD contest versus St. Genevieve High School, and a 15-26 for 364 yards and 3 TDs vs. Farmington performance. He’s tall in the pocket and has a high release point that can really generate velocity and shorter and intermediate throws in the middle of the field or threading the sideline, and that zip helps him to power throws into tight windows and get the ball downfield nicely. He’ll also hang in there to deliver a strike with a big hit bearing down on him, and is decisive in his reads and can get the ball out quickly. Somehow, he has no offers at this point in time, but has visited NW Missouri State and received a gameday invite from Butler five days ago. Senior Highlights
Nebraska
1) Christian Meneses (Plattsmouth) 2022. RB. 5’11, 185 lbs. @_C1M_
The Cornhusker State stat monster earned a PRZ Weekly Top Performer nod this season and has put up some eye-popping rushing stats such as his 237 attempts, 2,054 yards, and 30 TDs in 10 games. Some of his best single-game performances from the regular season included a 25 for 300 yard and 5 TD game versus Ralston, a 20 for 326 and 5 TD effort vs. Mount Michael Benedictine, and a 19 for 247 and 4 TD win vs. Elkhorn North. He’s been named the KMA Player of the Year, an All-State RB, and is a 2x Nebraska Rugby state champ, and has been receiving a ton of graphics from Nebraska this season, but somehow doesn’t have an offer at this point in time. His regular season highlights show off a RB with homerun speed who can cut in a well-timed fashion and has good balance to boot. Also, like our National Scouting Director mentioned, he’s violent and has a very mean stiff-arm. Somehow offer this man!
2022 Stat Stuffer…
RB: Christian Meneses, 5'11, 185, Plattsmouth, NE
📒: A violent runner with the football, equipped with a nasty stiff-arm in traffic.
Stats: 2,017 yards rushing & 30 TD's.https://t.co/ljfKpVs0Dk pic.twitter.com/Od0QAZ5dUF
— Jake Lemming (@HSFBscout) November 2, 2021
2) Noah Walters (Lincoln East) 2022. QB. 6’1, 195 lbs. @noah_walters
The leading passer in all of Nebraska, Walters has completed 186 passes on 280 attempts for 3,382 yards (!) and 44 TDs to only five interceptions. He totaled three 400+ yard passing games, three 300+ yard passing games, two 6 TD performances, and five 5 TD efforts throughout the year, with his best stat lines coming against Lincoln Southeast (23-29 for 430 yards and 5 TDs) and Lincoln Northeast (19-21 for 350 yards and 5 TDs). He holds three DII NSIC offers at this point in time, and also took a gameday visit to Ames and the Iowa State Cyclones. The tape on the senior displays an athletic signal-caller with good anticipation and arm strength who can break tackles and make people miss behind the LOS and he buys time and looks downfield. He can hit a variety of different throws at all three levels of the field and can fit the ball into tight windows for the prep level, and also shows some ability to throw off-platform. His tape shows him completing a multitude of different tosses, and he’s also got some speed and wiggle as a ball carrier. If he joined the Northern Sun I would be so dang excited…and it’s hard to ignore what Wayne State has been doing this fall. Senior SZN highlights
Ohio
1) Bryce Schondelmyer (Arcanum) 2023. QB. 6’2, 195 lbs. @Sch44do
A favorite of the PrepRedzone staff, Schondelmyer is an exciting 2023 QB prospect out of one of the nation’s best prep football states. He was named to the PRZ Top Weekly Performers features thrice, as he had a monster Week 6 game in which he posted 336 passing yards and 4 TDs and added 133 rushing yards and 3 TDs on the ground. He added a 349 yard and 2 TD game plus a rushing TD in Week 8, & also recorded a six TD game where he passed for 274 yards and 4 TDs plus 63 rushing yards and 2 TDs during Week 9. In the 2021 season he’s completed 60% of his passes (229-386) for 3,278 yards and 45 TDs to go along with 856 rushing yards and 12 TDs on the ground. I love how he climbs the pocket to step through pressure, and he’s got a rocket of an arm that shows up on a ton of different passes. I also am a fan of his ball placement, and he knows when to put some touch on his passes and when to fire it in there as hard as he can. He seems to have a good feel for the game and is a natural at the QB position, and his junior production is really impressive at the prep level, so I think it’s safe to say he’s a D1 prospect as a signal-caller and I’m pumped to see how his offseason takes shape. You got a fan in me, Bryce! Junior Season
2) Timothy “TC” Caffey (Hubbard) 2022. RB. 5’11, 205 lbs. @tC2_2Caffey
The most hotly recruited prospect on this list, Caffey holds offers from Kentucky, Army West Point, Charlotte, and Youngstown State, but that P5 SEC offer that came on the 24th of October has really set him apart compared to everyone else on this list. He is currently Ohio’s leading rusher and stands at 302 attempts for 2,559 yards and 37 TDs with a 8.5 YPC average. When you look at his stat line I was pleasantly surprised to see how consistent his week-to-week stat lines were. It’s not a few big games that drove that YPG average up, he continually rushed for over 200 yards a game no matter who his competition was. His best single-game effort came against Norwayne in the first game of the season, as he put up 33 carries for 456 yards and 5 TDs, but had six additional games over 200+ yards and has scored over three TDs in every game but one this season. On tape, the Buckeye State product displays speed, quickness, and contact balance, and I really love his body control and how well he’s able to cut on a dime from different positions while maintaining his balance and keeping his body in a position to burst forward for more yards. He’s got a shiftier gait that helps set up those well-timed cuts, and can run through weaker tackle attempts thanks to a strong lower body as well. After watching his tape there’s no surprise he just earned that Kentucky offer, as he looks like a special back with a ton of positives and potential in his game. Senior Year Highlights Regular SZN
Wisconsin
1) Robby Michael (KLC) 2022. QB. 5’11, 175 lbs. @robbymichael15
The PrepRedzoneWI Showcase standout has been a mainstay on the PRZ Weekly Top Performers features and has earned himself four awards throughout the regular season in his record-breaking senior campaign. In the beginning of the season he broke the Wisconsin state record for single-game TDs with 9, and later in the fall he broke the career passing TD record in the Badger State as well. He has well over 100 career TDs, and in 2021 he’s the second-leading passer in the state with 2,596 yards to go along with 1,540 rushing yards and 18 TDs. Some of his best performances of his senior year include a 19-26 for 265 yards and 7 passing TD + 131 and 2 more TDs on the ground vs. Random Lake, his 162 passing yard and 3 TD + 234 and a TD on the ground vs. Valders, his game against Chilton in which he threw for 181 yards and 3 TDs and added 260 rushing yards and 3 TDs, and finally his 192 passing yard and 2 TD + 176 rushing yard and 3 TD effort vs. New Holstein. Michael also plays defense, and has recorded 42 tackles, 5 TFLs, 3 interceptions, and a sack in 2021. He’s just a smooth and natural football player who can do anything asked of him on the gridiron. Although he most likely projects to another position in college, he’s got some solid arm strength, but does his best work as a ball carrier and is shifty and elusive and has good vision that helps him set up defenders for big runs. Senior Midseason Senior Defense
2) Cole Bergorn (Badger) 2022. RB. 6′, 210 lbs. @ColeBerghorn22
Although he somehow doesn’t hold any offers, Berghorn is second in Wisconsin in rushing yards with 2,178 and seventh in TDs with 27. The multi-time PrepRedzone Top Weekly Performer recorded six 200+ yard rushing games, a 300+ yard rushing performance, and seven games with 3 more TDs. The 210 lb. bruiser is a tough North-South rusher who can run through weaker tackle attempts without losing momentum, and honestly when watching the film it looks like opponents are a little scared of him and adjust their tackling positions to try and not meet his massive legs in their face and chest. I love how he finishes his runs and can carry multiple defenders for extra yards, and he’s gotta leave opposing teams sore as heck the day after they have to play him. He recently visited the Minnesota Gophers on a gameday visit and may be a PWO recruit for them, but more schools need to get involved at the DIII, DII, and possibly FCS levels.