[The Gridiron Digest]

Forum:

As I am beginning to talk around the Midwest about Indiana high school football players to coaches I am being asked about these two players from Zionsville.

Blake Leuders has an offer from Stanford University as a Jr. in the house, Blake is 6-5 241lbs (Linebacker) he has been compared to a young Brian Urlacher. Jack Denton 6-2 240 (Fullback/Linebacker) is taking an "Unofficial" trip to Ball State tomorrow. As I start building the Indiana Recruiting Database in anticipation of my work with scout.com when I sign with them you will only be able to read about all of this on scout.com. As I will write exclusively for the Indiana Preps site and The National recruiting magazine. The new Indiana Gridiron Almanac will begin to be put together for a Spring publication the very first of its kind.

Tim Adams

[SHS98]

Worked at Zionsville for a couple years and while I didnt get to know Blake as well personally, I know that he is a great kid with a good head on his shoulders. He is also a HUGE kid. I havent seen him play a lot of football (I havent been there since he was a freshman) but I would imagine he would be a good get for any big time school. He did start as a FB as a Freshman....heard he did move to LB.

Jack, as long as he keeps his head on, could be a another decent get. He also played as a freshman, but part of it was due to injuries.

[BigPoppaPhil]

Is Leuders being recruited as a fullback or linebacker? I haven't seen any Zionsville games this year, but he didn't do much as a fullback last year. Just curious. Thanks.

[The Gridiron Digest]

As a Linebacker.

TA

[nitetrain24]

BigPoppaPhil, on Sep 27 2008, 01:26 AM, said:

Is Leuders being recruited as a fullback or linebacker? I haven't seen any Zionsville games this year, but he didn't do much as a fullback last year. Just curious. Thanks.

What do you consider..."Didn't do much"?

[Zeaglefan]

Blake Lueders is playing middle linebacker exclusively. He is a monster. He has been slowed a little bit from a hamstring injury. In addition, he has one of the highest, if not the highest gpa's in his class. Jack Denton was moved to fullback this year. he is large as well and one of the fastest kids on the team. I think he would be better suited at defensive end, but is playing fullback to strengthen the team. Another player whom is very talented, and not getting much talk is the tailback, Carson Cramer. Carson is big (195) and fast.

[lovethegame]

The Gridiron Digest, on Sep 26 2008, 04:50 PM, said:

Forum:

As I am beginning to talk around the Midwest about Indiana high school football players to coaches I am being asked about these two players from Zionsville.

Blake Leuders has an offer from Stanford University as a Jr. in the house, Blake is 6-5 241lbs (Linebacker) he has been compared to a young Brian Urlacher. Jack Denton 6-2 240 (Fullback/Linebacker) is taking an "Unofficial" trip to Ball State tomorrow. As I start building the Indiana Recruiting Database in anticipation of my work with scout.com when I sign with them you will only be able to read about all of this on scout.com. As I will write exclusively for the Indiana Preps site and The National recruiting magazine. The new Indiana Gridiron Almanac will begin to be put together for a Spring publication the very first of its kind.

Tim Adams

In the interest of full disclosure, I am Blake Lueders' dad. I thank Mr. Adams and the others for their kind words.

To add to the discussion, I will try to limit myself to facts.

Blake was recently named to the ESPNU-150 national watch list for the class of 2010. There are about 300 kids on that list nationwide. Blake was awarded MVP of the National Underclassmen Combine (NUC) in Indianapolis last May. As can be verified on their website, his 40 yard dash time was 4.79 seconds, his pro-agility (short shuttle) time was 4.3 seconds, and his height, barefoot, is a true 6'5".

At the end of his sophomore year in APC class in school (Advanced Physical Conditioning) his max bench press was 310 lbs, his max squat was 430 lbs, and his max power clean was 265 lbs. He and his team lifted hard this summer and fall, and although he has not yet tested again, we anticipate significant gains in each.

He started each game as varsity fullback his freshmen and sophomore years for Zionsville (class 4A). It plays in the HCC conference where 8 of 9 regulars season opponents are class 5A schools, including great programs like Hamilton Southeastern, Lafayette Jeff, Avon and others. Zionsville's base offense is an I-formation. At fullback in that scheme his primary responsibility was lead blocking, primarily for an excellent tailback, Carson Cramer. Thus, looking at box scores you will not find gaudy rushing statistics for Blake. He has, however, posted 13 touchdowns as an underclassman.

Blake's agility, footwork and hands have be helped by playing basketball both for the high school and the AAU basketball club, Indiana Elite.

Perhaps the greatest compliment that Blake has received was the early offer from Coach Jim Harbaugh at Stanford. Coach Harbaugh's football knowledge and pedigree are impeccable, being third in Heisman trophy balloting, the first round draft pick of the Bears, and on a very short list of those on the Colts' ring of fame at the RCA domes and Lucas field. Stanford is building an impressive program, and their 2009 recruiting class is current ranked as the 11th best football recruiting class in the nation by scout.com.

Blake is being recruited as, and is interested in playing either defensive end or tight end in college.

Finally, while you cannot measure it on a weight scale, Blake has been the fortunate beneficiary of excellent coaching in high school (and before). Head coach Larry McWhorter (a state championship coach) and his staff are great at teaching technique, reads and fundamentals. More importantly, they instill a great work ethic and moral compass. Blake would not be where he is without them.