2024 Top Ten film review – Part II
Continuing with my look at the top-level talent roaming around the Minnesota gridiron this fall, I am moving from the Class of 2023 to part one of my dive into prepredzonemn.com‘s top ten from the Class of 2024. The state…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingContinuing with my look at the top-level talent roaming around the Minnesota gridiron this fall, I am moving from the Class of 2023 to part one of my dive into prepredzonemn.com‘s top ten from the Class of 2024. The state will have a good mix of skill position players and guys in the trenches to follow over the next two seasons. Here is a breakdown of the guys we have ranked 6-10.
Sam Macy Sam Macy 6'5" | 230 lbs | LB Chanhassen | 2024 State MN Chanhassen OLB/TE
To start, Macy can get after the passer. He is already a solid speed rusher on the outside and has the beginnings of the upper body strength to be an effective power rusher. His length allows him to use his arms to get separation from blockers when rushing around the edge. His length also makes it easier for him to get off blocks in the running game. He has the speed and athletic ability to run plays down from behind. As a pass rusher, he stays under control and doesn’t overrun plays just to get to the quarterback. Not just a pass rusher, Macy has good footwork and works well in space, both in the running game and when he drops into pass coverage.
Wyatt Gilmore Wyatt Gilmore 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Rogers | 2024 State MN Rogers DL
Gilmore is quick off the ball and has great agility getting down the line of scrimmage. His speed is impressive. He can run down plays from behind and plays several yards downfield. His motor doesn’t stop, and he doesn’t give up on plays. He is extremely explosive with his upper body with good upper body strength. When he delivers a blow to the chest of blockers, the impact rocks the linemen on their heels. That forceful punch gives him separation in the passing game and makes it much easier for him to get off blocks in the running game.
Luke Speedling Luke Speedling 6'4" | 260 lbs | OL Minnetonka | 2024 State MN Minnetonka OL
Speedling is an impressive offensive lineman already as a sophomore. One of the biggest issues with linemen is their pad level and, if they get their pad level low, how they do it. Speedling’s pad level is low, and he gets there – not by bending at the waist – as linemen not at his talent level sometimes do. He gets his pads low with a nice knee bend lowing at the hips – not the waist. It doesn’t sound like much, but it is a huge difference-maker. While it looks like he has solid upper body strength, because of his hips, he generates most of his power with his lower body – allowing him to bury defenders.
Aiden Horel Aiden Horel 6'5" | 325 lbs | OL Prior Lake | 2024 State MN Prior Lake OL
Watching Horel’s film right after Speedling’s, I felt like I was watching the same guy. Like Speedling, Horel gets off the ball and, using his hips and knees, comes off the ball with a similar low pad level. His powerful lower half and good base make him hard to push off his spot. Once he makes initial contact with a defender, he has excellent hips to keep his pad level low and flip his hips quickly to get himself between the defender and the hole he is helping to open. Once his hips and base are set, Horel can bury people. The Lakers’ big man can also play both right and left tackle.
James Mankaka James Mankaka 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Rochester Mayo | 2024 State MN Rochester Mayo DB
Mankaka has outstanding closing speed. His ability to put his foot in the ground and come out of his backpedal to attack short routes jump off his highlights. Quickly closing the gap wouldn’t mean much if he wasn’t willing to use that quickness. He backs it up with a willingness to make the big hit to make a tackle or separate the ball from the receiver. He is not the kind of guy who will lay a big hit on a guy just to make the Sports Center hit and maybe let the ball carrier bounce off the impact. Mankaka wraps up. He also uses his body well when defending the deep ball and is usually in a good position to make a play on the ball.