Who are the best players in the South Central region? This is an open thread to discuss All-Region nominations, All-Freshman nominations, coaching awards, and more. Stay positive and keep it civil.
Elliot Hawkins should be a lock for rookie of the year
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do you want a play maker? a heart breaker? a friendship faker? well with Mamabirds Levi Tapper you’ve got all three and so much more! He’s gonna cook you deep in ways that’ll haunt your sleep. He’ll get D’s on you that’ll make your whole team blue. He’s got a smile for miles and plays for days. Tobi brooks might have the looks, but Levi puts records on the books. if your plan is to beat him, your chances I’d say are slim.
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This is one of the best freshman classes I have seen in recent years. The freshmen I look for are those who are starting on these top D1 teams and immediately making an impact for the better. With that being said, the list for the best freshman in the SC is #23 Elliot Hawkins from CU, #13 Mitchell Okeefe from WashU, #14 Jack Wellons also from WashU (Apparently roommates), and #21 Mitchell Blaha from TUFF.
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I have to admit that I haven’t seen them all, but Mitchell Blaha is a great player.
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From a CSU men’s player’s perspective:
Colorado: Tobias Brooks is obviously in the conversation for best player in the division right now. He was an absolute pain to guard this year and his unpredictability with the disc matched with his precision throwing ability make him an absolute force behind the ball. Elliot Hawkins should be in the ROTY conversation. Stellar athlete and developing thrower and has been a major contributor out of the box. Pretty impressive progression this year.
WashU: Cam Freeman stands out on this squad as the number 1 option and for good reason. He dominates without making it seem like he’s trying. When he’s hitting, this is a scary team. Also have to shoutout Noah Stovitz for DPOTY. Stovitz is a freak in the air and as a reset defender. Nowhere is safe on the field when he’s out there.
Texas: Owen Smith’s poise, throwing ability, and goal scoring touch has been impressive for Tuff this year. Should be a major piece come Regionals. Not much else to say about Tuff as we have yet to play them this season.
Colorado State: Tim Elliott is the best rookie this team has fielded since Spicer. At just 19 years old, he has anchored the O-line with some of the most consistent break throws and downfield shots. In his first year with the team, he is playing as our offensive MVP. Absolutely sick player. Drew Grant has been the engine on the D-line for three years now and for good reason. The guy takes any matchup, runs them into the ground, and takes whatever he wants on offense. A dominant force that needs to be accounted for at all times.
Quick Hits:
Mark Henke, TAM: The do it all guy for a Dozen side that took a step back this year. Still a rock solid player and phenomenal athlete.
#5, Mizzou: Offense essentially ran through this guy at MLC in the Fall. Without him, this Missouri team looks lost.
Ryan Shigley, CU: Steady, consistent handler that gets open in the backfield when he needs to.
Cade Colston, CSU: D3’s best kept secret last year. The Mines product has been a staple o-line contributor with his smooth throws and continue cutting
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I coach Mizzou, so obviously biased, but any discussion of top players in the South Central region this year that doesn’t include Landon Evans is incomplete. Without him we would be in far far worse shape this year.
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Seconded. Mizzou’s Landon Evans absolutely should be considered an all region talent. He would start for any of the region’s nationals contenders
-WashU coach
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Tobias Brooks obviously is the easy choice here. However, I think we need to give Nanda Min-Fink some love for how consistently good he is. Also, can’t sing enough praises of Levi Tapper.
Xavier Fuzat obviously has been on a tear as of late and probably has one of the best jab steps in the game. Owen Smith has shown his throwing prowess and goal scoring ability time and again this season. Sneaky pick would be Mitchell Blaha, should get a nod for ROY.
Mark Henke obviously will always be in the conversation for a really solid player.
1st
Cam Freeman
Noah Stovitz
John Clyde
Xavier Fuzat
Toby Brooks
Zeke Thorson
Nic Sprauge
2nd
Mark Henke
Owen Smith
Ben Reimler
Ryan Shigley
Nicolas Jeschke
Levi Tapper
Jake Worthington
All rookie
Mitch O’Keefe
Jack Wellons
Tim Elliot
Elliot Hawkins
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Obviously, this is a Mizzou account, but no all-region conversation would be complete without the mention of Landon Evans. He is, without a doubt, the best player that has ever came into this program. He really is the complete package as a player. He has some of the best throws, best cuts, and best aerial feats that I have ever seen. Outside of that, he is a leader. He always has the coolest head on the field and helps keep everyone focused and on track for success. He is truly a special player who should be recognized.
elie from contra here. a lil biased.
1st team all region:
xavier fuzat
john clyde
cam freeman
noah stovitz
tobi brooks
ryan shigley
nanda min fink
2nd
owen smith
mark henke
tucker kalmus
ben reimler
nick jeschke
jake worthington
dealer’s choice i can’t choose
mitchell o’keefe and jack wellons should be joint ROTY. elliot hawkins and tim elliot are joint Elliot of the Year
1st team all underappreciated (basically just guys i love to watch ball out who aren’t on the above lists)
nic sprague aka spaghetti joe aka the south central boogeyman
sam kilgore - all time defensive performance against UNC at easterns, had me in awe
aaron barcio - most fun i have had guarding someone all season. super shifty, great throws, great physicality on defense
tim mosher - unfair to have someone this tall be this good in the backfield lol
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Texas A&M Dozen perspective
1st:
Tobias Brooks
Nanda Min-Fink
Cam Freeman
Noah Stovitz
Xavier Fuzat
Aaron Barcio
Dexter Luecke
2nd:
Zeke Thoreson
Ryan Shigley
Ben Reimler
John Clyde
Mark Henke
Timothy Mosher
Landon Evans
All-Rookie:
Elliot Hawkins
Jack Wellons
Dillon Lee
Mitchell Blaha
Dillon Doubrava
Timothy Elliott
Peter Saudale
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Timothy from Dozen-
1st Team
Tobi Brooks
Ryan Shigley
Xavier Fuzat
John Clyde
Cam Freeman
Dexter Luecke
Mark Henke
2nd Team
Nanda Min-Fink
Tucker Kalmus
Noah Stovitz
Aaron Barcio
Owen Smith
Landon Evans
Ben Reimler
ROTY
Tim Elliot - running Hib’s entire offense as a rookie was impressive, he and Dexter play well together
Mitchell Blaha- watched his role increase tons theoiugh the season, tuff’s d line qb and usually who guarded me. He’s gonna be really really good
Elliot Hawkins- haven’t seen him play much tbh but def top tier
Peter Saudale- A&M junior in his first year of playing big fris, never seen a more rapid improver. Great break throws, handled for O line and let us vets push downfield
Josh Henson- our co-rookie of the year w/ Peter, big frame that will fly and catch anything you put near him
Honorable mention
Tony Cao - QB1 for Dozen, lethal lefty break throws and he’s due for an outlandish shoulder high D every few games. expect a big year from him next year! Best pound for pound player in the region
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WashU player here:
I’m only commenting on the players I’ve played against this year. Since the 2 times we were supposed to play Colorado at regionals got canceled, idk much about them so will leave that to others.
ROTY:
If this award is about most impact on a team, it’s gotta be Tim Eliot. He does it all for an already good CSU team.
If it’s about most talented/skilled, Tim is still up there, but I’ve gotta shout out Mitch O’Keefe and Jack Wellons. 2 roommates who are starters on a nationals level team filled with seniors and grads.
Mitch has transformed from a handler with top 5 assists at YCCs to a do it all weapon on O who can dot hucks, get open at will, and roof defenders a foot taller than him with one of the lowest turnover margins on the team. Mitch O’keefe has also won the Mitchell Blaha matchup the 2 times we played them.
Jack has some of the best pulls in the region and backs it up with dynamic defense. On the turn he is just as dynamic either with the disc in his hands able to shoot deep or move it fast and downfield leaving defenders in the dust or skying packs.
All-Region:
Absolute locks for me are Cam Freeman, Noah Stovitz, John Clyde, and Xavier Fuzat.
Other all-region caliber players:
WashU:
Ben Reimler - one of the quickest guys out there and incredibly consistent throws. He’s a demon in the endzone.
Seth Fisher-Olvera - usually takes the hardest matchup and wears them down with relentless pressure throughout the game. Also might have the biggest bag of throws in the region.
Nick Jeschke - just an absolute rock. Always makes good decisions and reliably gets open in the handler space. Plays really smart D too.
Nic Sprague - this guys an animal. He puts his body on the line every game he plays no matter the competition. People in the South Central fear the name “Spaghetti Joe” but if you talk to him after the game he’s one of the most genuine and goofy guys out there.
Texas:
Owen Smith - just as good if not better than his twitter presence. Actually unfair how someone can be that tall, athletic, and have beautiful throws.
Jake Worthington - one of the most solid players I’ve played against. He’s got no holes in his game and is very good at everything he does.
Aaron Barcio - everything he does looks cool. His throws and cuts are super quick, yet fluid all while rocking a backwards cap.
Texas A&M:
Mark Henke - this man has no fears. He flies in whenever a disc is near him and shoots dime balls to tight windows.
Mizzou:
Landon Evans - everything that people say about this man is true. A dominant presence on the field who was always a matchup concern whenever we played them. If there was one reason why this forum should exist, it’s to get guys like him the credit he deserves.
DPOY:
Noah Stovitz has been on O-line for his whole time on Contra until this year when he made the switch to D. That switch has been deadly for other teams. He simply doesn’t allow opposing handlers to touch the disc and that’s not an exaggeration. Offenses stagnate because they can’t run their reset systems and when they do try to throw it to his guy, he’ll use his insane length + quickness to layout and get the disc. And if his guy ever goes deep, no shot the other team puts any balls up to a 6’3" guy who can touch 11’ 6" at least. He’s also got elite ball knowledge, always being in the right place at the right time and communicating that to the rest of the team. He got on all-defense line for Florida Warm Up and was notably absent at Queen City when Contra lost their only 2 games against teams outside of the top 20. More people would know about him if he played club, but after nationals, everyone will know his name.
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Denver never really gets any love in these discussions but as a member of the team, I’d like to highlight Noam Halpern. As a freshman, he was easily the best player on our team and led us to our highest ever placement at regionals (tied for 7th). Super speedy with a deep bag of throws. Believe he was the center handler for St. Louis Park last year as well. While i am biased, I definitely believe he deserves recognition for the all rookie team, and he is definitely someone to keep on eye on for future all region discussion.