As has become customary, Blitz and Outside the Huddle are counting down who they feel are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2025 season.
Today, we begin the unveiling of the best players in the area with positions No. 50-46.
No. 50: RB/DE AJ Shefferly, senior, Bishop Dwenger
A versatile player out of the backfield for the Saints, Shefferly had a team-high seven rushing touchdowns a season ago to go with 278 rushing yards. Add another half-dozen receptions and you have a burgeoning weapon on offense heading into 2025.
At 6-foot and 200 pounds, Shefferly is built like a tree trunk. His physical abilities on the lacrosse field can attest to that.
But expect Shefferly to see an expanded role in all facets as a senior. Leading rusher Gus Tippmann is back, but Shefferly will see action as well, and is a capable pass catcher to boot.
Prepare to also see Shefferly on the edge on defense, best utilized in a “go get ’em”-type role to incite chaos.
COACH’S QUOTE ON AJ SHEFFERLY
“AJ is a very strong, physical and disciplined presence on both sides of the ball – a downhill runner and a relentless defender in the box.” – Bishop Dwenger coach Jason Garrett
No. 49: LB Nathan Plattner, senior, South Adams
After seeing solid action as a sophomore, Plattner busted out in a big way for the Starfires last fall, amassing a team-high 152 tackles and 11 tackles for loss.
South Adams uses its linebackers as ultra-aggressors, and Plattner fits the mold. His power and finishing ability outweigh his 5-8 frame, and his instincts are exceptional. The Starfires return plenty of production from last year’s defensive unit, but Plattner may just be the most important, both in his play and his ability to command the huddle and lead by example.
COACH’S QUOTE ON NATHAN PLATTNER
“Nathan is a phenomenal leader. He cares about his teammates and plays for them. He has a nose for the ball and plays with heart and passion. He will be essential to how we do defensively this season.” – South Adams coach Grant Moser
No. 48: WR Beckham Russell, senior, Bishop Dwenger
When examining potential breakouts this year, the Saints’ offense could be primed for just that. One of the primary beneficiaries, and reasons for it, could be Russell.
Bishop Dwenger’s passing offense struggled last season, with a combined three touchdown passes and 12 interceptions tossed between two QBs.
But Henry Jordan is back and healthy behind center and has been working closely in the off-season with Russell, who led the Saints in receptions (15) and receiving yards (247) last season.
Russell has solid hands and is a very good route runner with some twitch. Expect big things from the 5-11 wideout this fall.
COACH’S QUOTE ON BECKHAM RUSSELL
“Beckham is a tremendous work ethic and overall football IQ. He is precise in his route running and just a gritty gamer.” – Bishop Dwenger coach Jason Garrett
No. 47: RB/LB Brayden Nusbaum, senior, Garrett
Despite losing a fair amount of offensive firepower to graduation, doubt the Railroaders at your own risk.
That’s because plenty of talent returns, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where Nusbaum has made an immense impact the last two seasons.
Now a senior, Nusbaum will look to pick up on defense where guys like Parker Skelly and Calder Hefty left off.
Nusbaum is versatile. He can play close to the line of scrimmage or he can drop deep. He is Garrett’s top returning tackler with 86 last year to go with eight tackles for loss and an interception.
You can also expect him to see considerable time on offense carrying the ball, where he averaged 7.4 yards per run a year ago.
A Garrett regression? Not if Nusbaum has anything to say about it.
COACH’S QUOTE ON BRAYDEN NUSBAUM
“He is a very versatile player for us. He has been an anchor at linebacker for three years now. I expect him to take more of a role on offense this year as well. He has really stepped up into a leadership role over the course of the summer. I expect him to have a great season on both sides of the ball.” – Garrett coach Chris Albertin
No. 46: OL/DL Grady Baker, senior, Bellmont
While Bellmont has had difficulty in securing victories in recent years, that takes nothing away from some of the players the Braves put onto the field, particularly in the trenches.
When talking to coaches in the NE8 and beyond, Bellmont’s beef up front is always something to consider in preparing to play the Braves. And in the last few years, Baker has been the best of the bunch.
An exceptional wrestler who uses his grappling ability to full effect on the gridiron, the two-way stud is a road grater for the Braves.
At 6-1 and close to 250 pounds, he is incredibly difficult to move and projects great leverage when he engages. Defensively, he bottles up the middle and picked up 41 tackles, six tackles for loss, four QB hurries, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 2024.
Baker even gets the ball on occasion, evidenced by his 33 carries for 107 yards and a score last fall.
Baker is a fitting example of an underappreciated area talent that largely has gone unnoticed.
COACH’S QUOTE ON GRADY BAKER
“Grady is going to be a four-year starter for us on the OL/DL and we knowwhat we’re going to get from him. A hard-nosed, tough football player. He’s one of the hardest working players on and off the field that I’ve had the privilege of coaching during my career. We are expecting big things from him during his senior season.” – Bellmont coach Nick Hall
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