Needless to say it’s been a huge week of recruiting at Indianapolis Cathedral, with offers pouring in to the team from several top Division I programs around the country. One guy flying under-the-radar is Gaven Johnson (pictured far-right), a 6’3” 260-pound center. Johnson is quick to pull, reads and reacts to twists, plays with a good base and exhibits hand use in pass protection. He has visited Illinois for their junior day, but has not received any offers so far.
Joey Diekmann was on the fast track to being a college prospect after what Evansville Reitz head coach Andy Hape called a “tremendous freshman year.” Those plans were put to a halt last June at a Purdue camp. An opportunity to impress college coaches was taken away when Diekmann tore up his knee while contending a pass. Diekmann said he landed in “an irregular fashion.” He wound up missing all of the 2015 season, but is expected to bounce back in a bigger way in 2016.
“The big question with Joey is how he will come back,” Hape said. “We are excited to have him back in the mix of workouts, but putting the pads on is different. He has done a great job of rehab and has taken plenty of time to get back. We are excited to see how he will play.”
Diekmann, a 2018 linebacker, says that he has grown stronger through his injury. He says that he has matured as a player and learned the virtue of patience.
“I’ve studied film more than I ever have before and have become mentally sharp in all aspects of the game,” Diekmann said. “But more importantly, my faith in Christ has flourished through adversity.”
Based on his freshman tape, Diekmann is a legitimate college prospect. He has the size (6’1” 225) that Division I college defensive coordinators value. He’s strong at the point of attack and aggressively flies to the ball.
“Big, fast and strong,” Hape said. “That is a good combination. He seems to always be around the action. One of the best I’ve seen from tackle to tackle and has no problem playing outside the box.”
A challenge still awaits Diekmann this offseason as he prepares for 2016. He says that he is training intensely. He also plans to focus on the mental aspects of the game, as well as increasing speed and lateral movements.
“As good as a player as he is, he’s a better kid,” Hape said. “He’s extremely humble and knows how to lead both vocally and by example. When he speaks, people follow.”
The Hoosiers have offered several talented Indiana underclassmen over the past week, and Julius Brents is among them. The 6’1” 2018 DB from Warren Central tells IndyScout that he is “most definitely excited” to receive an offer from the Hoosiers.
“I’ve been an IU fan ever since I was introduced to football,” Brents said.
Brents also says the Hoosiers have been the only team to show interest so far, but expect that to change heading into his junior season. Brents said he hopes to
“continue to be a leader on and off the field and increase my overall game” heading into 2016.
He isn’t the only player at Warren Central to be on IU’s radar. David Bell, a 2019 wide receiver, also holds an offer from the Hoosiers.
Several college programs have taken a very keen interest in Indianapolis Cathedral LB Pete Werner. He currently holds 25 offers, including in-state IU. Notre Dame offered last week. Cal and Ohio State offered this week.
His most recent offer came from Michigan State yesterday.
Werner has the size that college defensive coordinators covet. He’s 6’3” 215, and has played both defensive back and linebacker. He possesses top instincts, range, and closing speed. He also hits like a bullet and serves on special teams as a kickoff coverage man, where his downhill speed is put to good use. Cathedral head coach Rick Streiff says that he plays with passion on the field, but is also a gentleman off the field.
“Athletic, big, strong and physical,” Streiff says of him. “Pete is an outstanding young man, a quiet leader but determined to have success. He goes about his business but has a knack for bringing others with him.”
Werner is also blessed with athletic bloodlines. His father, Greg, played in the NFL for the Jets and Eagles. His older brother, Dan, plays tight end for Harvard. Tom, his younger brother, is a sophomore quarterback for Brebeuf.
Several Indiana players stood out during the Best of the Midwest Combine last week. Among them was Cameron McGrone, a 2018 Lawrence Central linebacker who won the LB MVP Award. He has been on IndyScout’s radar since seeing him during his first varsity game last August.
The 6’1”, 165-pound Castle wide receiver has not received any recruiting attention despite leading the state in receiving yards in 2015. As top quarterback Dayne Keller’s #1 target, he expects to have an even bigger 2016 campaign. He finished the season with 1,499 yards and 16 touchdowns. On tape, he can catch in a crowd, adjust to the ball, and exhibits elusiveness in the open field. Highlight Link:
What is your birthday?
My birthday is September 20th.
What is your greatest memory as a high school player?
One of the greatest memories as a high school player is getting an interception against Avon.
What motivates you to play football?
The thing that motivates me to play football is the struggle.
Do you have any family members who have played?
Yeah. my dad and my cousin. Sports is all through the family.
Have you had any recruiting attention lately?
Yes; I just got two offers two days ago and I took a visit to IU on Wednesday. I plan on taking other visits in the spring after basketball.
What are you looking for in a school?
In college, I’m looking for whatever school will set me up for success in the future.
Muncie Central quarterback Trenton Hatfield wasn’t a household name before this week. The Best of the Midwest Combine changed that. Hatfield won the Most Valuable Player award, which has him on the brink of a Division I offer.
“I have only played football for two years,” Hatfield said. “I thought I was going to be a college basketball player and had been getting interest since eighth grade. My mom suggested that I try football, so I did as a sophomore.”
Hatfield is a multi-sport athlete. On film, he exhibits a quick release, poise under pressure, and a live arm over the middle of the field. He also flashes good touch on the deep ball. His quarterbacks coach, Levar Johnson, thinks he is extremely athletic.
“He has great liner and lateral speed, and does a great job of making plays with his feet,” Johnson said. “I think he has good pocket presence and senses pressure well. I feel that he’s becoming better in the pocket.”
Johnson and his personal trainer, Ty Terrell, believe that he can play at the Division I level.
“He shows on a regular basis that he is not scared of any situation, wants to compete and will do what is necessary,” Terrell said. “Mix those with athletic ability and you have a special athlete.
Hatfield excels off the field, too. He has a 4.3 GPA, works hard, and quickly processes information, a key quality considering the complexities of college football offenses.
“He wants to be great and it shows in how much time he puts into training, both physically and mentally,” Johnson said. “He’s a pretty even-keeled individual but competitive at the same time.”
Both coaches say he possesses key leadership qualities. He has trained with some of the top quarterbacks in the state, including Maryland signee Max Bortenschlager, Ball State freshman Riley Neal, and Clemson commit Hunter Johnson.
“The growth I’ve seen from Trenton in the last six months has been tremendous,” Johnson said. “With being able to watch Trenton train with and compete against those guys, I do feel like he is capable of playing at the FBS or FCS level.”
Hatfield said that he has taken visits to Indiana, Purdue, and Ball State. He has also been invited to junior days at Akron and Princeton.
After his performance at the combine, he received an invitation to the Rivals Quarterback Challenge in Columbus, Ohio.
“I am very new to all of this, of course, and I just want to get better so I can help my high school team and continue to play quarterback in college,” Hatfield said. “I am a quarterback that just needs a chance, an opportunity, and I will take care of the rest.”
What is your birthday?
July 21, 1999
What is your greatest memory as a high school player so far?
My greatest memory was playing in my first varsity game as a freshman. There is just something about stepping under those lights for the first time. It’s almost surreal.
What motivates you to play?
I always want to improve and become the best player I can possibly be, but the main motivation is winning, hopefully a championship next year.
Do you have any family members who have played?
My dad and uncle both played in college.
Have you had any recruiting attention lately?
No recruiting attention yet; hopefully I’ll be receiving some offers by the end of next season.
What are you looking for in a school?
I’m looking for somewhere I feel at home and can provide the best opportunities for my future. I’m searching for somewhere that can make me a better person, student, and athlete.
Indiana Football Scout 