Impressive live and coming back for more – playoff addition
In this article:
Circling back to an earlier series of stories, I looked back at the playoff performances I watched in person. Thanks to the high school league not allowing prepredzonemn.com writers to be credentialed for the state tournament – this story does…
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Continue ReadingCircling back to an earlier series of stories, I looked back at the playoff performances I watched in person. Thanks to the high school league not allowing prepredzonemn.com writers to be credentialed for the state tournament – this story does not include the state semi-finals or State finals. Here are some of the guys – unranked at the time and coming back for more high school football this fall – who impressed me live and on tape.
Elijah Randle RB Richfield
Live:
Randle was able to use his quickness to get to the outside on some runs. He showed his speed and footwork when he caught a screen pass and made people miss for fifteen yards.
On tape:
The junior made his most significant impact last season at corner and as a kick returner. He is a threat to break a big return every time he is kicked to. His open-field skills showed as a running back when I saw him play and show when returning kicks. He has solid ball skills as a corner and breaks well on routes. He comes up aggressively in the running game and is an effective tackler in the open field.
Khalif Brown
Khalif
Brown
6'1" | 190 lbs | WR
Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025
State
MN
Benilde-St. Margaret’s WR
Live:
The freshman used his speed on an end-around for a first down. He made a catch in the flat, made a move in the open field, and picked up a first down. He showed his speed and quickness when he caught a bubble screen and turned it into a twenty-five-yard gain.
On tape:
Brown is going to be a force for years to come. His straight-line speed is already impressive, and he adjusts to the ball like a seasoned veteran. His catch radius will be a massive help to Red Knights’ quarterbacks. Leaping catches about his head dot his season highlights. As a freshman, Brown was used on a ton of short routes and bubble screens – showing his quick feet and cutting ability.
Jonathan Shrum
Jonathan
Shrum
5'11" | 170 lbs | DB
Farmington | 2023
State
MN
Farmington DB
Live:
Shrum led the team with nine total tackles. He made a tackle stopping the Rangers’ offense short of a first down. He set up a touchdown by breaking through the center of the line to block a punt. Shrum got position on a receiver and out jumped that receiver for an interception.
On tape:
Shrum has outstanding instincts at the safety position. His breaks on the ball look even better because he anticipates so well. He has excellent athletic ability and gets up in the air to deflect passes and make picks. The Tigers’ coaching staff is not afraid to get Shrum involved at the line of scrimmage. He blitzes off the edge as effectively as a linebacker and hits almost as well. He is a problem on special teams. He is a good kick coverage guy – and like in the game I watched – a threat to block punts and field goals. He had at least three blocked kicks in 2021.
Caden Renslow
Caden
Renslow
6'1" | 185 lbs | QB
Simley | 2023
MN
Simley QB
Live:
Renslow put a ball on a deep post pass right on target. Using his legs, he scrambled around the corner for eight yards. Later, he threw a ball to the sidelines on the move for a touchdown. Renslow was called on to pick up yards on designed runs too. Two runs up the middle went for touchdowns – the second went for 52-yards.
On tape:
Renslow’s strengths on tape mirrored what I saw live. He is a threat with his feet and his arm. He has great touch on his deep ball – accurate but with enough zip on the ball to stretch the defense. He does an excellent job running the read-option, and when he tucks the ball, he has the speed to get the corner and just enough wiggle to make someone miss in the open field.