Brownsburg QB Hunter Johnson is Mr. Football.
For good reasons.
Johnson, backed by new coach John Hart, took a Brownsburg team from 4-6 to 8-2. The Clemson commit had a strong senior season.
But so did Russ Yeast.
Yeast, a transfer from Ohio, finished the season with 1,525 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns, and added another 602 with 8 touchdowns in the passing game. He gave an added boost to the Center Grove Trojans’ offense. The 5’10” 178-pound Louisville commit was tough to bring down, frequently running through contact against the state’s best competition week after week.
“One thing I am looking forward to is being in an established, winning program,” Yeast told IndyScout prior to the start of the 2016 season. “I’m here and ready to work. I think my greatest strengths are my IQ and playmaking ability on the offensive side of the ball.”
While Johnson has played in Indiana for a longer period of time, Yeast’s season is too hard to ignore. For those reasons Yeast is the IndyScout Player of the Year.
Cardinal Ritter RB Avery Hall was one of the most productive running backs in the state, finishing the season with 2,016 yards and 15 touchdowns. That season was capped off with a 28-6 2A state championship win over Eastbrook.
Hall isn’t done yet. The 5’11” 215 RB committed to Wayne State last week.
“It felt like home when I was there,” Hall said. “The coaches are very welcoming and they care for their players. Their team is a family. They are a great program (and they) put a lot of people in the league. And they run the ball – a lot.”
Top Lawrence North rusher Al McKeller has committed to the University of Indianapolis. McKeller, a 5’10” 170-pound running back, had 1,277 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns this season.
“I just love how the coaches keep it 100 percent with you,” McKeller tells IndyScout. “And they don’t sugar coat a thing. I just fit best in their program.”
Carmel defensive back Jacob Abrams committed to the Boilermakers this week. Abrams, a 6’2″ 185 corner, also held offers from Ball State and Illinois State.
“Purdue had kind of been on my watch list since early in the recruiting process last year when Coach Parker came by the school and expressed their interest in me,” Abrams tells IndyScout. “My goal was to play for a Power 5 school, so for me to turn down the University of Pennsylvania, which was the only school still really in contact with me, it needed to be a Power 5 program. Obviously Purdue plays in one of the toughest Power 5 conferences and their academics are outstanding so it is a perfect fit for me.”
Abrams is the second Carmel player to commit to Purdue, the other being top offensive lineman Mark Stickford.
What is your birthday?
March 16, 2000.
What is your greatest memory so far as a high school player?
The greatest memory as a high school football player was when I was a freshman, and it was two seconds left and my kicker kicked and made it in overtime to beat Center Grove.
Do you have any relatives who have played the game?
Matt Wills (my uncle) played for South Bend Riley, was rated the #3 running back in the nation. He had numerous offers and considered to be one of the greatest high school running backs of all time.
What motivates you to play the game?
What motivates me is Jesus Christ and my family. They both push me through the good and bad.
Have you had any recruiting attention lately?
I’ve taken a unofficial visit to Indiana against penn st, and one to Cincinnati against East Carolina. No offers so far right now. Planning to take a unofficial to western Michigan and Cincinnati.
What are you looking for in a school?
I’m looking for a school with a great academic program to help get my degree in sports broadcasting, and a historic football history.
With a commitment from Brownsburg OL Trashawn Britt two weeks ago, Grand Valley State hit pay dirt again, this time in Elkhart with a commitment from Central WR JT Webb.
“A lot led to my decision but I’ve been up there a lot and every time it felt like home,” Webb tells IndyScout. “The coaches do a great job of making everything feel like a family atmosphere.”
Webb finished his senior season, catching 67 passes for 1,203 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Ball State offered nine Indiana high school players on Wednesday. It was the first offer for one of them – 6’6” 265 Zionsville OL Bennett Clark.
“I’m extremely thankful to the Ball State staff and very excited to get my first offer and am looking forward to visiting BSU,” Clark tells IndyScout.
The Cardinals offered three from Ben Davis – ATH Reese Taylor, DL Willie Ervin and WR/RB Johnny Adams. Adams also holds offers from several of Ball State’s MAC competitors – Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Toledo and Western Michigan.
The offer was Taylor’s second, his first coming from Iowa last month. Cathedral LB Hugh Davis also received an offer, as did Fort Wayne Luers WR Dashon Bussell. Top safety prospect Jordan Jusevitch (Lowell) also received an offer.
The Cardinals also offered two of the state’s biggest tight ends – Bishop Chatard’s Will Kellison (6’4” 225; holds an offer from Bowling Green) and Penn’s Anthony Torres. Torres holds an offer from Indiana.
Felix King transferred from Illinois and closed out his senior season in Indiana.
The 5’8″ 160 DB/WR for South Bend Adams High School was on EdgyTim’s watch list prior to his transfer. As a two-way player King had 650 yards, eight touchdowns and 42 tackles as an Eagle, and has drawn the attention of several small programs, where he would be a good fit. Academics is a top priority for King.
“I’m looking for a college that’ll not only develop me as a player but also as a young man without the game of football,” King tells IndyScout. “I want to be able to play for a place that likes tradition and building up new beginnings. I want a place that’ll be able to help put me in a good paying job and a great networking system. Also, I’m looking for a new place I can be able to call home.”
He has an offer from Monmouth and has visited Carthage, St. Norbert, Coe, Quincy, Grand Valley State, UIndy, Minnesota-Crookston, Upper Iowa and Division III powerhouse Wisconsin-Whitewater.
“Football has taught many life lessons that have been able to help shape me into the young man I am today,” King said. “It also is just a great feeling being able to be good at something and have people adore and want you for it.”
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