(Brayden Kearsley 6-5 300 Jr. OL ) Aloha |
As we move into the 2012 season two of the top talents in the northwest coming back will be Brayden Kearsley (6-5 300 Jr. OL) of Aloha and Dallin Leavitt (6-0 200 Jr SS/Slot) of Central Catholic. Kearsley will be the top ranked offensive lineman in the Northwest when we release our positional rankings shortly, with no disrespect to the very talented Evan Voeller of West Linn.
Brayden is just that good. If there is a kid in the 2013 class that we would bet on moving on to the NFL it would be Kearsley, with mutual respect being given to Thomas Tyner and Deshawn Stephens. Kearsley is just flat out nasty up front and has the athletic ability and overall strength to dominate most opponents. He has been a unanimous first team all league lineman, and all state athlete the past two seasons while getting a state title as a sophomore in 2010.
He is currently committed to BYU, but also holds offers from Washington, Oregon St, UCLA, Arizona St, and Utah. There are a few other schools that have shown a great deal of interest such as USC, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. Brayden wants to keep his options open and take his visits, as he feels its important to see what schools have to offer before making his final decision.
Kearsley came out to our elite events and showed physicality like no one else in the building. He has been a 3 sport athlete for most of his life showing off unique coordination for a big man. All of this translates on the field as you see Kearsley treating opposing lineman like his worst enemy for a few hours every Friday. He has that unique mean streak needed to do well at the highest level, while working as hard as anybody on and off the field.
Dallin Leavitt was NEI’s Defensive Underclassmen Player of the Year and someone Kearsley calls ” a best friend since elementary school”. Kearsley added, “We’ve been best homies since we were little and will fight for each other like brothers..We also tell people we are cousins because we are that close, and always play better together cause we know how to pump each other up”
Leaviitt is also a BYU commit that has decided he wants to keep his options open. He committed as a sophomore and has nothing but praise for BYU, but he feels that it is in his best interest to keep all options on the table.
Dallin was one of the team leaders on our NEI (South) squad that just made a significant run at the National 7 on 7 tournament in Las Vegas. His fierce demeanor and non stop motor make him Oregon’s top ranked Safety. Last season he was one of the state leaders in Int’s with (6) while making 62 total tackles and 3 pass deflections. His father Jared was an outstanding athlete himself playing on a very successful BYU team that included Heisman Trophy Winner Ty Detmer in the early 90’s.
The best way to describe Dallin is someone you want on your side. If you are his opponent you most likely won’t like him on the field, but you surely will respect him. Leavitt will smack you, then get up and do it again until you either fold or can’t get up any more. He is another kid much like Brayden that has that unique “It” factor that separates himself from others.
When referencing Brayden, Dallin says ” Brayden is one of my best friends and we have grown up together since the 5th grade..We have played on the same team and competed against each other and like any relationship had our ups and downs, but in the long run B is going to be my guy until I die”.
Leavitt’s a kid that averaged over 10 yards a carry and 16 yards a catch last season and should play a significant role on the offensive side of the ball in 2012. He has been compared to the likes of John Boyett as he plays with complete disregard for his body. Dallin should be one of the leading candidates for Defensive Player of the Year honors for the State of Oregon in 2012.
It takes a special type of individual to play at the highest level of football, and we feel that both of these athletes have what it takes to do just that. I can’t say enough good things about both of these kids, as they are good people first and great athletes second. Schools continue to call daily about the status of each athlete, and we will keep everyone informed of all the happenings on the recruiting front. All of us at NEI want to wish both of these athletes continued success in all future ventures.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/699314/brayden-kearsley Brayden Kearsley Highlights
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/202944/dallin-leavitt Dallin Leavitt Highlights
( #2 Dallin Leavitt 6-0 200 Jr. Safety/ Slot)
