Ohio keeps feeding the board with kids who jump off the tape for different reasons. Burst. Motor. Versatility. This round lands on Demetrius Curtis, Kaden Love, and Buckston Johnson. Three different profiles. Same result. They belong on the board before the polish and the offers catch up to the traits.
Demetrius Curtis, LB, Pickerington North, Class of 2028
Demetrius Curtis is a fun film watch out of Pickerington North. Class of 2028. Linebacker. 6’0, 190. Athletic with a burst. He knows how to trigger and take open windows in the run game. The timing shows up on pressure as well.
Curious on the overall size projection and the coverage ability as he keeps developing. Fair questions at this stage. What the film already shows is a downhill linebacker with athleticism. That is enough to keep him circled and enough to say the traits are real on Friday nights.
Find him at @Meech_Curtis and watch the tape: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18122883/691107c974301bea69fb161e
Kaden Love, DE, West Muskingum, Class of 2027
Kaden Love is an interesting prospect at defensive end. West Muskingum. Class of 2027. 6’3, 240. Very raw. But the athletic ability for his size is there. That matters more at this stage than clean technique every snap.
One thing that jumps immediately is the motor. High-motor player. Technically raw. Almost feels like a kid who may have started playing later than some of his peers. Some of the instinctual plays are still missing. That is okay. The board is for traits and upside too. Athleticism, motor, and frame. Love needs to be on it before the polish catches up to the tools.
Find him at @Kvden5 and get on the film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19575122/69cd1e261c4acb7375f267cd
Buckston Johnson, OL/DL, Buckeye Local, Class of 2027
Buckston Johnson is a player who can go either side of the ball. Buckeye Local. Class of 2027. 6’3, 285. Scheme fit probably decides the path more than anything else. He has tape all over the field.
Athletic and strong come to mind first. Slightly stiff, but not terrible. He plays with his hands and is athletic enough to handle any of the five spots on the offensive line. That versatility is why he is on the board. Senior film may determine the final path. Guard makes sense. Interior defensive line makes sense too. There are doubts about tackle on offense.
Add in a 3.8 GPA and a kid who plays hard, and the full picture gets even better. Traits. Versatility. Work habits. Johnson is on the board.
Find him at @BuckstonJohnson and check the profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19470017/Buckston-Johnson/about
Curtis brings the downhill burst at Pickerington North. Love brings the raw athleticism and motor at West Muskingum. Johnson brings the two-way versatility and strength at Buckeye Local. Ohio keeps stacking names worth watching. Keep these three close and watch the tape. They are on the board.