Midseason Offensive Players of the Year
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A look at three players on offensive who’ve had the best seasons through the first 5 weeks. Midseason Players of the Year Sam Beers Sam Beers 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Air Academy | 2023 State CO , Air…
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Continue ReadingA look at three players on offensive who’ve had the best seasons through the first 5 weeks.
Midseason Players of the Year
Sam Beers Sam Beers 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Air Academy | 2023 State CO , Air Academy Kadets (RB)(Sr.)(42) – Beers has been, by far-and-away, the state’s top rushing performer to this point in the season. If he continues with his current production, he is on pace for just over 2,000 yards and an obscene 32 touchdowns. Through the first five weeks, Beers has accounted for 1,023 yards rushing and 16 rushing touchdowns on 104 carries (9.8 YPC), while also passing for 72 yards and a passing touchdown, as well as 95 yards receiving and a receiving touchdown. For perspective on those numbers, he damn near averages a first down every time he touches the ball, which is pretty ridiculous when you think about it. When you put on the tape of Beers from this season so far, you can see that Beers displays a very physical running style, supported by his strong core and lower body that allows him to power through smaller defenders and arm tackles with relative ease. He’s an aggressive ball carrier that doesn’t shy away from contact and often takes multiple defenders to bring him down. Displays adequate athleticism and foot speed, routinely pulling away from second and third level defenders if they take a bad angle. Beers is currently sitting at the number 11 spot for RBs and the number 97 player overall for 2023, but I don’t think this ranking does his talent and production any justice. To say he’s been dominant would be an understatement and he is a rare talent to follow through the rest of his senior season.
Joseph Capra Joseph Capra 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Denver South | 2023 State CO , Denver South Ravens (QB)(Sr.)(7) – Capra, in my humble opinion, has been the top dual-threat QB in the state by a fairly wide margin. Capra has been the center of the explosive Ravens’ offense as he’s been dominant in every phase, going 59 of 78 (76%) for 1,011 yards passing, 16 passing touchdowns against an unbelievable zero interceptions, and a QBR of 156.8. If that wasn’t enough, he’s also accounted for 523 yards rushing and 11 rushing touchdowns on 38 carries (13.8 YPC). Capra has been a consistent force for the Ravens the past few years and when you turn on the film, it’s easy to see why. The first trait that stands out about Capra is his arm strength. The ball seems to jump out of his hand with relative ease, as he can make every throw to every area of the field with almost the flick of a wrist. Displays a consistent, smooth, over-the-top release and technically sound footwork that leads to consistent accuracy/ball placement on throws to every level of the field. Also displays an ability to throw off-platform and from different arm angles with good accuracy. A combination of outstanding athleticism and pocket presence allow him to buy just enough time against the rush to find a receiver open downfield, almost never looking to scramble immediately after feeling pressure. In addition, his outstanding athleticism also allows him to present a threat on designed runs or when he does need to scramble. Displays good vision and patience as a runner to find space, with enough foot speed to pull away from second and third level defenders. Requisite lower body and core strength allow him to run with adequate power at the point-of-contact. Elusive in one-on-one situations with defenders in the open field. Capra is currently rated the number 3 QB and the number 30 player overall in the 2023 class, holding a current commitment to Mines. While there’s no shade directed towards Mines, how Capra doesn’t have a D-1 offer is legitimately mind-boggling to me.
Micah Lumpkin, Sierra Stallions (WR)(Jr.)(15) – To this point in the season, Lumpkin has arguably been the best receiver in the state of Colorado, despite the Stallions’ struggles as a team through 2022 . Through five games this season, Lumpkin has accounted for a state-leading 769 yards receiving and 7 receiving touchdowns on just 31 receptions (24.8 YPR), in addition to 81 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown. If Lumpkin continues to play at a high-level consistently like he has to this point, he’s on pace for an incredible 1,538 yards receiving and 14 receiving touchdowns. If that’s not a top-flight receiver, I don’t know what is. When you watch the film of Lumpkins’ junior seasons so far, you can see he displays outstanding physicality when going up to high-point the ball, easily out-muscling and mossing smaller defenders. Big-bodied receiver that consistently wins with his size, strength, and length while making contested catches in traffic. Extremely physical runner after the catch that doesn’t shy away from contact and almost appears to seek it out. Shows strong and sure hands while making tough catches through contact over the middle. Adequate route runner when working deeper or intermediate concepts but mostly relies on his size/physicality to create separation. Extremely effective jump-ball receiver that consistently wins on fade routes in the end zone. Displays good top end foot speed to pull away from slower 2nd and 3rd level defenders. Lumpkin isn’t currently ranked on any recruiting boards for the class of 2024, but he’ll be impossible to ignore if he keeps showing out like he has this season.