2023 Offensive Recruits Standing Out In June
Camp season is off and rolling! With that, I’ve been able to make a handful already this month with plans to hit a few more. This piece is looking at some of the offensive recruits from the 2023 class that…
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Continue ReadingCamp season is off and rolling! With that, I’ve been able to make a handful already this month with plans to hit a few more. This piece is looking at some of the offensive recruits from the 2023 class that have really helped themselves this summer so far.
Richard Woodson – Pike – G/T – 6’2″ 280lbs
Woodson is the type of recruit that makes football go round. He’s got great size, is aggressive, and has a frame with a ton of potential. He likely needs a year or 2 at the collegiate level to develop physically, but he’s the exact type of player who develops into a reliable starter. He’s got a good center of gravity and is fairly nimble for a guy with his stature. He’s fairly light on his feet and delivers a powerful blow straight to the chest He’s played a lot of tackle for Pike but with his frame, mobility, and agility I tend to think he will shift inside at the collegiate level. He’s quick off the ball and when he’s going downhill has a different swagger to his game. He’s able to get to the second level and be the lead blocker and seal the edge and form a wall to his side when he needs to. There are times he can rise a bit out of his stance and play a bit high but it’s likely just trying to keep leverage. As the strength comes, that’ll clean right up. He can also get caught with his hands on the outside from time to time but again something that can clean up fairly easily. With Woodson, he does a lot of things well and is only going to get better. He’s looked good physically and has been putting the work in behind the scenes and it’s starting to show. If he’s able to come out and put it all on tape this fall, there’s no telling how many offers he could have. Woodson is going to make some college program really happy once they get him in the building and realize there’s more to this puzzle than at first glance.
Brady Probst – Brownsburg – TE – 6’4″ 240lbs
Probst is the perfect example of what you want in a TE prospect. He’s a legitimate TE who can block, catch, and go in motion. Brownsburg is a smart program and they understand the advantages Probst creates. Whether he’s on the end of the line, going in motion in the backfield, or lining up out wide you have to pay attention to him. Probst is massive but has a tendency to disappear behind enemy lines and end up wind open. In the RedZone, he’s a winner. Throw the ball in his area and he’s going to come down with it. He’s good at fake blocking, drawing his guy down, and slipping out the backdoor. Too many times last year did Probst just slip out the backend of the defense. He’s also hard to bring down and fights for the YAC. In the running game, he’s all over his defender. He plays defense which helps him see and understand the line. Probst keeps that aggression and likes to put his guy in the ground. He’s got soft but strong hands. He’s a fluid athlete and has a good head on his shoulders. He doesn’t make mistakes on the field and is always where he needs to be when he’s supposed to be there. He’s reliable and adds a layer to the offense that you really need to have. Probst’s versatility added with his size makes him an incredible recruit. I think there’s even a chance he could contribute on day 1 in the right program. Wherever he ends up, Probst is going to develop into a reliable starter and is going to end up making plays left and right.
Destin Beauchamp – Ben Davis – RB/Slot – 5’7″ 150lbs
Beauchamp is Ben Davis’s secret sauce. He’s fun and dynamic. Beauchamp is a fantastic change of speed back who you have to keep an eye on out of the backfield. If you don’t, before you realize it he’s catching a ball and 60-yards down the middle of the field. Beauchamp has a second gear that most guys don’t have and when he hits it, watch out. He’s fun to watch. Yes, he’s a smaller back but his skill set is unique. He’s the kind of guy you can develop into a satellite/3rd down back and have a sense of relief when he’s out there. He’s willing to block and throw his body at the play when he needs to. When he’s got the ball, he’s shifty. He’s got some of the best short-area agility and side-to-side movement you can ask for. If he didn’t make you miss, he’s going to lower his shoulder and fight for yards. While he can be brought down easily at times, I think a good summer of bag work and lower leg lifting could help. In the second level, he’s got great vision and is able to find angles and creases and hit the gas. Beauchamp makes plays when he’s on the field and gets the ball. He’s dynamic and is only getting better. Wherever he ends up, I can see them asking him to return kicks as well. He’s got all the traits to be an elite kick returner and it’ll help him see the field sooner. I’m excited to see what he can do this fall because the tandem Ben Davis has is special and Beauchamp has more than earned his role.
Kyle Antonie – Heritage – QB – 6’0″ 200lbs
Antoine is a dual-threat QB who really developed last season and it’s translating to his summer work. He dealt with an injury last year but it didn’t impact him when he was on the field. He was efficient, dynamic, and helped Heritage win some tough games. Antoine sees the field well and likes to get the ball out quickly to where it needs to be. Footwork-wise, he can be a bit all over the place. However, it rarely affects him because he’s got a fantastic arm. The ball comes out quick and on a line. He’s got a tight spiral and can release the ball from multiple angles if a defender is in his face. He’s able to throw on the run, in the pocket, or while falling back. He also throws with anticipation and can put the ball where only his guy can get it. Like any young QB, he’s got his misses but overall won’t miss many. When the footwork and mechanics come, he could really begin to light up the field. I mentioned dual-threat and that’s no joke. He’s able to run with the best of them. He’s hard to bring down and can move the pile. For a guy his size, he’s able to make more guys miss than you’d think possible. Time and time again, you’d see the opposing coach think they’ve got him cornered. The heartbreak of those same coaches 2 seconds later when Antoine somehow gets the 1st down is kind of humorous. I know his size is likely a question for some schools but I don’t think it should be. Antoine is the exact type of prospect who you take a shot on at any level. Great arm, mobile, hard to bring down, and lifts the play of others around him. He brings a cool and calm feeling to the field and never seems to get rattled. If he stays healthy this year, I think he’ll have a dominant season and separate himself from the rest of the pack.
Brady Krueper Brady Krueper 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Elkhart | 2023 State IN – Elkhart – QB – 6’1″ 195lbs
Krueper is a pocket passer who can run when he needs to. He’s best in the pocket when he’s able to read the field, make decisions, and then make a throw. He typically sees the field well and knows where to go with the ball. If his first read isn’t there, there are times he stays on it too long but then will go through the rest of his reads. It can make him late with the ball sometimes. However, Krueper’s best ability is his arm so he’s able to have a little bit of leeway because he can make some fantastic throws. As he develops and begins to see the game quicker, especially at the next level, he’s got the arm to light it up. He doesn’t have the strongest or most accurate arm but he’s consistent. He puts the ball in a good spot and throws with anticipation. As he develops physically, he’s only going to get a stronger and more accurate arm. For his age, his mechanics and footwork are fairly clean. Not perfect but better than most young QBs we come across. When things break down around him, he’s able to take off and run. He’s mobile enough to get away from most sacks and extend the play if he’s not able to take off and run. Krueper is consistent, never gets rattled or over-excited, and makes throw after throw. To keep it simple, he moves the ball and scores touchdowns. Some guys just have an uncoachable sense and knack to make plays when they need to and that’s what he does best. The guys on the field rally around him and he makes them better all while being the same guy all the time. I think wherever he ends up, he’s got the potential to develop into the starter for his program. The best is yet to come for Krueper and Elkhart is a team to keep an eye on this season.