Diamonds in the Rough: Class of 2023
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We know the names at the top of the rankings, for the most part. Today, I want to go deeper. I want to dig into the rankings to find the studs that have been overlooked thus far in the recruiting…
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Continue ReadingWe know the names at the top of the rankings, for the most part. Today, I want to go deeper. I want to dig into the rankings to find the studs that have been overlooked thus far in the recruiting process. Athletes that either don’t have offers, don’t have offers from the level I believe they deserve, or athletes who don’t nearly have the overall buzz that they and their talent deserve. We will find one such athlete from each position giving us 9 total diamonds in the rough. Coaches, these are your steals. Don’t miss out on them!
Evan Voss Evan Voss 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Black River Falls | 2023 State WI , QB- Black River Falls (Evan’s Junior Highlights)
I have been a big fan of Evan’s since coming across him early last fall. The 6’2″ 190 signal caller is a raw, very intriguing prospect with a ton of tools. There are two main tools that standout from the rest, through. The first is his arm strength. The ball jumps out of Evan’s hands, and the velocity stays on the ball all the way to the catch point. Whether that is 10 yards or 40 yards down the field. That arm strength also allows Evan to throw off his back foot when pressure is right in his face preventing him from stepping into his throws. The other major strength is Voss’ ability to throw from awkward positions and with different arm angles. It is such a bonus to have a QB who doesn’t need a perfectly clean pocket to deliver the ball. Evan doesn’t need that. Add in that he has 4.8 40 speed to make him a threat on the ground and you have a QB prospect who is set to be a steal. Evan has a lot of D2 Junior Day invites and visits, but there haven’t been any reported offers. The small school standout is going to be a steal. Check the highlights linked above.
Chase Norton Chase Norton 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Grafton | 2023 State WI , RB- Grafton (Chase’s Junior Highlights)
The first thing that stands out about Chase has nothing to do with the field. It is his selflessness and willingness to help his team. A year ago, Chase was a QB. Now, Chase is a 1,500 all purpose yard producing RB, and conference Player of the Year. That willingness has led Chase to being in a position to be a steal for the next level. The 5’11″ 180 lbs RB’s #1 strength is his vision/instincts with the ball in his hands. Norton quickly finds lanes, blocks, and cutbacks, and then just as quickly makes his move to utilize what he sees. Norton’s short area agility and acceleration allows him to fully utilize those glimpses of daylight that he finds. He also has shown a strong stiff arm out on the edge. Chase holds one offer from Valparaiso at this time. He is there for the steal. Don’t miss out on him.
Franko Williams Franko Williams 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Waukesha North | 2023 State WI , WR- Waukesha North (Franko’s Junior Highlights)
Franko is an exciting WR prospect who is going to put up big numbers and averages this season. That is because of what he put on tape as a junior. The 6’ 160 lbs WR is a talented deep threat. He has the long speed to eat up cushions from DBs, and he has shown a quick release when pressed at the line. Where Franko is the most impressive, though, is at the catch point. Despite not being the biggest target, Williams repeatedly out jumps DBs and attacks the ball at the highest point. His soft, reliable hands give him the advantage in those jump ball situations as does his ability to put himself in a good position to have the leverage against DBs. I don’t see any offers for the WR leaving him as one of the top diamonds in the rough at the position.
Jack Opperman Jack Opperman 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Fort Atkinson | 2023 State WI , TE- Fort Atkinson (Jack’s Junior Highlights)
It is time for a team to pull the trigger, and offer the 6’5″ 225 lbs TE out of Fort Atkinson. The big man finished with 14 receptions, 174 yards, and 1 TD on his way to unanimous All Conference honors. It wasn’t the production that did it for him, though. In my eyes, it was his #1 strength that earned him that honor. His ability as a devastating run blocker. Jack is a man mover in the trenches. He basically was an extra offensive lineman that helped Fort Atkinson run the ball to a 7-3 record. Jack generates so much power with a strong base, good hand placement, and proper leverage. Power that easily resets the line of scrimmage or washes defenders down the line. Jack’s run blocking is so good that it has me thinking that he could be in line for a position change at the next level. He already has the frame for it, and his TE athleticism would shine at OT, not to mention how he would be even more of a force as a run blocker with the added size. The future is bright for the TE. Don’t miss out on him.
Aaron Effert Aaron Effert 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL Brookfield Central | 2023 State WI , OL- Brookfield Central (Aaron’s Junior Highlights)
This might be the steal of the article. Aaron locked down the LG position for Brookfield Central last fall. The 6’4″ 285 lbs lineman has all the size you could want in a player entering his senior season. The big man plays with a wide, strong base that he uses to drive DL out of the designated gap. Once he gets rolling, Aaron is tough for DL to slow down, and when Effert doubles with the OT or OC it is a done deal. Aaron has also demonstrated the athleticism to pull and lead out in space, and land his blocks. If the big man can improve his hand placement it will push his game up another notch, and further increase his diamond in the rough status. Don’t overlook the big man as you comb through the talented Brookfield Central roster.
Austin Moe Austin Moe 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Brodhead | 2023 State WI , DL- Brodhead (Austin’s Junior Highlights)
The DL is a strong group here in the Class of 2023. Within that group is a 6’4″ 280 lbs steal of a prospect. Austin is a two way First Team All Conference lineman who helped Brodhead make a solid playoff run in 2021. The first thing that pops out to me when watching his junior highlights is his ability to win with speed or strength. He has repeatedly proven that he can use his first step to shoot a gap or cross a lineman’s face without being touched, and then a few plays later hold his ground against double teams and still make the tackle. That strength also showed up in pass rush situations where he was able to collapse the pocket from the interior and create a lot of pressure that effected the QB. Austin has been on visits to a few schools, but it looks like his first offer is still eluding him. It is time to take a look at the tape of the big man, and also catch up to him at any camps to get an up to date look. Check out his highlights.
JJ Joiner JJ Joiner 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB West De Pere | 2023 State WI , LB- West De Pere (JJ’s Junior Highlights)
The 6’ 215 lbs LB’s recruitment has me believing that he is going to be a massive steal for a program. JJ does such a good job of reading the flow of the play, and the blocking/pulling of linemen. He also does a good job of getting to his gap or assignment, or putting himself in position to make a play based on what he reads. Joiner is a stout LB who is able to power right through blocks on his way to the ball. He really excels in situations where he can attack downhill. JJ currently holds one offer from Ripon College. If he can take the next step this season I wouldn’t be surprised to see interest and offers from even higher levels come in. Either way, JJ is going to be a steal.
Brady Mader Brady Mader 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Arrowhead | 2023 State WI , DB- Arrowhead (Brady’s Junior Highlights)
Brady is pushing for the biggest steal of this article. He is fun to watch out at the CB position. His highlights show a DB with exceptional closing speed, quick recognition skills, the awareness in zone coverage to feel receivers enter his area, and the reactive athleticism to be able to stay in receivers’ hip pocket in man coverage. Mader also does a solid job of transitioning his closing speed into power when tackling, and I like how aggressive he is at the catch point to either break up passes or go and get it at it’s highest point. Brady is a next level athlete with a school record 3.08 30M, and a track & field offer from Stevens Point already under his belt. However, Brady is still looking for his first football offer. Don’t miss out on the All Conference CB. He just finished up a productive junior track season. Check out his highlights above.
Dadon Gillen Dadon Gillen 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB McFarland | 2023 State WI , ATH- McFarland (Dadon’s Junior Highlights)
The 6’2″ 190 lbs athlete finished 2021 as a First Team All Conference safety and a Second Team All Conference WR. I could very easily see him play either position at the next level, and that versatility paired with his size, and 4.75 40 speed should have the interest of the next level. However, it looks like Dadon is still hunting for his first offer from the next level. As a receiver, Dadon stretches the field with his speed, natural ball skills, and ability to go over defenders for the ball at the highest point. He relies mainly on his athletic gifts to create separation. At safety, Dadon is a rangy prospect who can easily roam half the field after reading the QB and diagnosing what he sees developing in front of him. Gillen is quickly becoming one of the more versatile steals. Keep an eye on him this fall. I think he really goes off.