In the spirit of “let’s talk about anything besides the last three games,” thought it could be a good time for a mid-year tape review of the class of 2023 commitments. Let’s not turn this into “well, they’re all just going to de-commit anyway,” eh?
Prospect name is link to highlight tape where available, otherwise link to click through individual games. I recommend sorting by newest on those pages.
Also shared some quick impressions of available tape.
QB Aidan Gray
www.hudl.com
Still a pretty long, lanky kid, but can move around the pocket a bit to extend plays. Don’t see an elite arm or athleticism, but hopefully can read out a defense. More “solid” than “spectacular.”
WR Frank Covey
Productive on tape and better than I was anticipating off junior film, but still very concerned that he lacks the speed/explosiveness to be an impactful P5 WR. Does at least have the size to contribute on special teams. I know I’ve been down on him from the jump, still think we need to (and can) do much better.
TE Camp Magee
www.hudl.com
Not much tape to go on, but at least shows the frame to be an actual ”big WR”/matchup problem TE. Probably will need a year or two to get stronger even then as he looks extremely skinny.
OL Dylan Senda
Playing tackle, definitely a guard/center at the next level. Good build, decent balance through contact, wish he would stop going to ground and even flopping on top of kids when they’re on the ground. That’s not finishing a block. But good prospect with tools to play inside.
OL Anthony Birsa
www.hudl.com
Playing guard, but has the frame and flashes enough movement skills to make you think RT might be possible. Seems very long-limbed with a lot of room to develop.
DL Mason Robinson
www.hudl.com
Very toolsy, still pretty raw. Plenty to like on tape, but won’t show up as a finished product. Flashes very good burst off the ball. Probably athletic enough to play stand-up OLB if we went that direction.
DL Ashton Porter
www.hudl.com
Pretty large kid, already playing DE in an odd front. Wouldn’t be entirely surprised if he bulked up enough to move inside. Very good, versatile DL prospect.
DL Michael Kilbane
Another kid who already looks the part, moves around the defensive front a LOT. Doesn’t have the physical skills of Robinson/Porter, but strong athlete that plays with good leverage and fundamentals. Not making this comparison, but somewhat reminiscent of Aidan Hutchinson in that he’s a high-energy kid with good technique that’s a better athlete than he gets credit for. Should be another valuable member of the DL group.
LB Justin Cryer
Already has the size to be a B1G LB, pretty decent run-and-hit LB. Probably not a sideline-to-sideline guy at the next level, but flashes enough that you don’t think he’ll be a liability in coverage. Already playing inside, so perhaps more accustomed to working through traffic than some of our recent LB recruits.
DB Jacob Lewis
Pretty physical kid that seems to relish contact, but perhaps almost too much as at least a couple clips were flagged for targeting (and a couple more probably could have been). Not a lot of publicity around his recruitment, but looks like a solid safety prospect.
DB Cole Shivers
Lacks ideal size/length, but plays physically and with some twitch. Not a ton to go off on a handful of games, but can see the makings of a decent prospect.
DB Josh Fussell
Much better size/length than Shivers, but stiffer and choppier in his pedal. Kept thinking we might be looking at a safety as I watch his tape.
Not enough senior tape available: WR Ricky A, TE Chico Holt (only 3 clips, not enough to go on), OL Alex Doost, OL Jordan Knox, DL Tyler Gant, DL Dylan Roberts, DB Damon Walters
Overall impressions:
Prospect name is link to highlight tape where available, otherwise link to click through individual games. I recommend sorting by newest on those pages.
Also shared some quick impressions of available tape.
QB Aidan Gray
Aidan Gray on Hudl
Watch Aidan Gray's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: NN Huskies 7th Grade Feeder Football Team - Huskies / QB, OLB / Naperville, IL
www.hudl.com
Still a pretty long, lanky kid, but can move around the pocket a bit to extend plays. Don’t see an elite arm or athleticism, but hopefully can read out a defense. More “solid” than “spectacular.”
WR Frank Covey
Productive on tape and better than I was anticipating off junior film, but still very concerned that he lacks the speed/explosiveness to be an impactful P5 WR. Does at least have the size to contribute on special teams. I know I’ve been down on him from the jump, still think we need to (and can) do much better.
TE Camp Magee
Camp Magee on Hudl
Watch Camp Magee's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: Edgewater High School - Varsity Football / WR, TE, DE / Class of 2023 / Orlando, FL
www.hudl.com
Not much tape to go on, but at least shows the frame to be an actual ”big WR”/matchup problem TE. Probably will need a year or two to get stronger even then as he looks extremely skinny.
OL Dylan Senda
Playing tackle, definitely a guard/center at the next level. Good build, decent balance through contact, wish he would stop going to ground and even flopping on top of kids when they’re on the ground. That’s not finishing a block. But good prospect with tools to play inside.
OL Anthony Birsa
Anthony Birsa on Hudl
Watch Anthony Birsa's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: Joliet Catholic Academy High School - JCA Soph FB / Class of 2022 / Joliet, IL
www.hudl.com
Playing guard, but has the frame and flashes enough movement skills to make you think RT might be possible. Seems very long-limbed with a lot of room to develop.
DL Mason Robinson
Mason Robinson on Hudl
Watch Mason Robinson's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: McDonogh High School - Boys Varsity Football / DE / Class of 2023 / Owings Mills, MD
www.hudl.com
Very toolsy, still pretty raw. Plenty to like on tape, but won’t show up as a finished product. Flashes very good burst off the ball. Probably athletic enough to play stand-up OLB if we went that direction.
DL Ashton Porter
Ashton Porter on Hudl
Watch Ashton Porter's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: Cypress Ranch High School - Boys Basketball / C / Class of 2023 / Cypress, TX
www.hudl.com
Pretty large kid, already playing DE in an odd front. Wouldn’t be entirely surprised if he bulked up enough to move inside. Very good, versatile DL prospect.
DL Michael Kilbane
Another kid who already looks the part, moves around the defensive front a LOT. Doesn’t have the physical skills of Robinson/Porter, but strong athlete that plays with good leverage and fundamentals. Not making this comparison, but somewhat reminiscent of Aidan Hutchinson in that he’s a high-energy kid with good technique that’s a better athlete than he gets credit for. Should be another valuable member of the DL group.
LB Justin Cryer
Already has the size to be a B1G LB, pretty decent run-and-hit LB. Probably not a sideline-to-sideline guy at the next level, but flashes enough that you don’t think he’ll be a liability in coverage. Already playing inside, so perhaps more accustomed to working through traffic than some of our recent LB recruits.
DB Jacob Lewis
Pretty physical kid that seems to relish contact, but perhaps almost too much as at least a couple clips were flagged for targeting (and a couple more probably could have been). Not a lot of publicity around his recruitment, but looks like a solid safety prospect.
DB Cole Shivers
Lacks ideal size/length, but plays physically and with some twitch. Not a ton to go off on a handful of games, but can see the makings of a decent prospect.
DB Josh Fussell
Much better size/length than Shivers, but stiffer and choppier in his pedal. Kept thinking we might be looking at a safety as I watch his tape.
Not enough senior tape available: WR Ricky A, TE Chico Holt (only 3 clips, not enough to go on), OL Alex Doost, OL Jordan Knox, DL Tyler Gant, DL Dylan Roberts, DB Damon Walters
Overall impressions:
- Remain very concerned about offensive skill position recruiting, wish we would prioritize speed over all else
- The OL with tape are solid prospects, but not sure we have a true tackle amongst the bunch. Doost is the most likely candidate, hopefully will flash tackle skills once tape is available. Senda definitively looks like an interior guy to me, Birsa more of a projection play at OT. Knox has always looked like an interior guy based on size/length.
- The DL group still provides a lot to be excited about.
- Gray should be just fine and was important to get a QB in the class, but seems mostly “more of the same”
- We can still be choosy at RB with both Porter and Hull having multiple years of eligibility remaining
- I seriously hope we are taking stock of each and every WR that hits the portal, desperately need an infusion of impact-ready talent in that position group
