Winona State Prospect Camp: Standouts, Part III
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WINONA, MN— Part III of our standouts from the Winona State Prospect Camp gives us a ton of prospects that had promising days in Winona, but show smaller amounts of traction on their recruiting trail that will likely kick their…
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Continue ReadingWINONA, MN— Part III of our standouts from the Winona State Prospect Camp gives us a ton of prospects that had promising days in Winona, but show smaller amounts of traction on their recruiting trail that will likely kick their high level of competitive steam from prospect camp season into their upcoming high school seasons. With prospect camps, we yet again take a Midwest approach as this list has prospects from our homeland of Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. If I am a college program trying to plant my wings for some fall season steals on the recruiting trail, I would certainly be looking at this group of prospects for my big board as we approach the fall season.
Let us make this known, If we evaluate a standout prospect more than once a summer at a college camp, it should be a sign that many football programs in the Midwest should be recruiting this kid, which stands the case with Prior Lake LB Bruce Soukup Bruce Soukup 6’1″ | 210 lbs | LB Prior Lake Highschool | 2023 MN . You probably remember Bruce’s name from the SDSU camp earlier this summer, and he yet again brought the juice of his ample skillsets to the Winona State prospect camp last week. Bruce impressed me in his Indy drills with his patience, as he ensured his feet were set and his vision was evident when he connected with the ball carrier in mind. He also showed what you would see consistently on his tape, solid ball-tracing skillsets and making the proper contact with the ball to get the pass break up. Bruce showed off a growing motor that has gotten a lot tougher from camps this summer. You can rely on Bruce to finish the play with his contact if the running back escapes beyond first contact. If I had to hand out a few camp MVPs from the summer, there’s no doubt Bruce would be on my list as an LB prospect that made the most of his reps camp after camp throughout the Midwest.
Highlights
Sam was a QB/LB prospect I got my eyes on at the Winona State Prospect Camp and one that really showed some skill from the linebacker position. I don’t use the term “workhorse” too frequently to describe a prospect’s skills, but Sam showed that mentality from the reps I watched. He also showed some explosive steps with his footwork and had a physicality level that packed a solid punch in his reps to the ball. His QB tape from last season shows some upside as we turn the corner on Sam’s development in 2022. He shows a quick release on deep and intermediate routes and, with some development, can grow on his touch throws as we look into the upcoming fall season from a mechanical perspective, along with the balance of his throws. I also like his precision on his throws, as he gives his wideouts a good base to finish the play with their agility and speed in the long run. Excited to see what his senior season brings for the Wolfpack.
Highlights
Michael was an OL prospect that impressed me with his technique and his ability to finish what he started with a sound pad-level and very aggressive punching ability for 6’3 220 pounds. Watching some tape from his junior season, I love Michael’s control he has with his hand position once he drives beyond the first level, especially in the state championship for Van Meter last season. If you are looking for an OL prospect that will control his man until that whistle blows, look no further as Michael does just that with his tape. This is a young man you can put some solid amount of weight on in a college weight room and still get the finished first step, balance and great technique this kid brings to the table. A few NAIA programs have caught the eyes of Michael, but I would love to see the D2 level get into the mix in the NSIC as we enter the fall season here very shortly.
Brody showed sufficient potential when I watched his footwork in action at the Winona State prospect camp when we got into drills. He showed a competitive first step and solid speed that he brought to the table in those live reps. Brody shows high productivity from the slot back position, especially in the red zone for the Norskies. As an All-Conference Honorable Mention last year on the gridiron and the hardwood, Brody shows smooth balance with his route-running ability on multi-levels of the field. You can also depend on this young man to bring in those higher contested catches, as he shows several of those on his junior tape. No offers yet, but I think this fall will show off even more upside from Brody when it comes to the next level, as I think he has the tools to play on Saturdays.
Highlights
Thomas was another WR prospect that showed off the competitive balance I look for when evaluating wide receivers in a live setting at the Winona State Prospect Camp. Despite missing his junior season due to injury, there is a lot of great change of direction footwork that this young man can create with his legs, especially in the return game, as he shows a lot of fluidity in his footwork. This matched up with what I saw in Winona, too, as Thomas showed a valuable change in his direction, especially in the pro agility drills. I also really like his vision in the return game, as he can flip nearly the duration of the field with those competitive feet. I am stoked to see what this young man can put together on tape in his senior season, as a senior season bloomer with a lot of skill to show off for the college programs that will be looking on for this Packers slot receiver.
Highlights
Gavin Twaddle
Gavin Twaddle
Gavin was a younger prospect at the Winona State prospect camp that, although is undersized at the moment, showed some promise in the drills I got to catch. I was impressed with Gavin’s ability to show off the twitch of his lower body in a north-to-south setting, showing off his agility in his arsenal. We will have to wait until this fall to get some game tape on Gavin, but he is a prospect I will be tracking for sure out of Pine Island.
Caden showed off some noticeable rotation of his hips at the Winona State prospect camp. He also showed a smoothness when I watched him in 1v1 reps down in Warriors Country. When I watched Caden’s junior tape, I was impressed with the complete speed he ran with for the duration of his deeper routes. He also showed off competitive vision, as he could dial in his eyes to the ball on balls thrown just outside his wheelhouse. Caden is certainly a prospect that thrives in the red zone, as he shows a great physical presence in the short side of the field to use his strong hands to make a contested catch. He also has a developed reach for his 6’0 175 pound size to provide assurance in the passing game for the deep ball. Caden was First Team All-Area as a junior, and I expect him to climb onto more college radars in the coming months as he still waiting for that first offer.