Blitz and Outside the Huddle are counting down who they feel are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2024 season.
Today, we continue the march to No. 1 with positions No. 40-36.
No. 40: QB Michael White, junior, Homestead
In watching film on White, what immediately jumps out is his pocket presence. No matter the pressure that’s put on him, White stands his ground and steps into throws, even if he is gonna pay for it after getting rid of the ball. That’s beyond impressive for a then-sophomore.
Now one year older and wiser, expect an even more confident White behind center, particularly when it comes to Homestead’s zone read package. Decision making will improve, so expect his 9:7 TD to INT ratio to become more lopsided and his 57 percent completion percentage to jump.
White was Homestead’s second-biggest threat as a runner behind Brett Fuchs in 2023. With Fuchs gone, expect White to make more plays with his legs following a 214-yard, six-touchdown effort on the ground last season.
COACH’S QUOTE ON MICHAEL WHITE
“Michael is a great athlete with a great arm and is very coachable. He has shown great improvement from last year, physically and mentally.” – Homestead coach Chad Zolman
No. 39: OL Tucker Reed, junior, Columbia City
Much like Joel Yager the last few seasons, Reed isn’t one of the bigger dudes along the offensive front. At 5-foot-10, Reed doesn’t have the hulking frame that is synonymous with studs along the line.
But what Reed does have is talent in bunches with sound technique that allows him to win a fair amount of battles with bigger defensive linemen.
Reedwas voted All-NE8 Second Team as a sophomore, a key cog for an offense that rushed for over 2,600 yards last season.
COACH’S QUOTE ON TUCKER REED
“Tucker is exactly what you want in a player. He is smart, athletic and extremely physical. He’s one of the best linemen I have coached at Columbia City.” – Columbia City coach Brett Fox
No. 38: LB/OL Grant O’Dell, senior, South Adams
Nobody was a more disruptive defender for the Starfires a year ago than O’Dell. From his outside linebacker spot, O’Dell was consistently wreaking havoc in offensive backfields. He led the Starfires in tackles with 75 and tackles for loss with 12. He even added an interception against Woodlan for good measure.
You want your outside linebackers to be as instinctual as possible in order to identify and attack. O’Dell brings that in bunches for South Adams and is primed for a huge season in Berne.
COACH’S QUOTE ON GRANT O’DELL
“Grant is an incredibly hard worker. He is also one of the most coachable kids that I have had. He is a three-year starter on the OL, but he will be the first to tell you that his passion is defense. He has a nose for the ball and loves the physicality. He plays with excitement and emotion that is contagious. I am excited to see him thrive his senior season.” – South Adams coach Grant Moser
No. 37: DB Adrian Wooten, senior, Wayne
There are not many defensive backs in the area that read a quarterback as well as Wooten. It is impressive considering he also has to keep tabs on the receiver he is covering.
Wooten is also not afraid of contact. He is very good with his hands off the line in press coverage. But where he truly thrives is when he lags back off the receiver or plays zone. He is so good at making the right reads, which harkens back to his eyes being on the QB.
Wooten picked off five passes last season to lead the Generals and defended another six passes to go with 25 tackles.
COACH’S QUOTE ON ADRIAN WOOTEN
“Adrian has excellent speed and is a great cover man. He was First Team All-SAC and 4A All-State.” – Wayne coach Sherwood Haydock
No. 36: S/WR EJ Miller, senior, Eastside
Miller is a gamer, pure and simple. He amassed four interceptions last season to lead the Blazers, but Coach Alyx Brandewie will tell you that Miller’s best attribute is how he takes command of the defense and leads the unit.
A defense is only as good as its most vocal leader, and Miller is that. He equal parts encourages and instructs, whether it is on the field or in off-season workouts.
Miller also sees significant time on offense as he returns as Eastside’s leading receiver in both yards (195) and touchdown receptions (two).
Miller is one of those white-collar players that makes following rural football in the area so enjoyable.
COACH’S QUOTE ON EJ MILLER
“EJ is the quarterback of our defense at his safety position. He makes calls and checks pre-snap and is our biggest playmaker on D, particularly when the ball is in the air. His leadership at practice and in the weight room are critical and he has thrived in that role throughout this off-season and summer. He was our leading receiver a year ago and we anticipate his athletic ability leading to him making an impact on that side of the ball again this year as a senior.” – Eastside coach Alyx Brandewie
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