NW Winter Showcase in Review: Last year's Top Underclassmen "O" - Prep Redzone (2024)

Everyone rightfully loves summer showcases with D1 universities in attendance, but the reality is that most athletes in the NW project at the D2/D3/NAIA level. That said as anyone playing college ball is special regardless of where. Have a look at some of the standout underclassmen from last year’s Winter Showcase, with numerous universities continually being added for this year’s event at Pacific University on December 16^th..

“I’m excited to be back at Pacific University who has a great facility for the Winter Showcase, with it’s indoor and outdoor fields. This showcase is a great opportunity for athletes to display their talent in front of college coaches at multiple levels” – Camp Director: Michael Snyder

*No Particular Order

OFFENSE

The returning all-conference lineman has had an outstanding year for the T-Wolves where they needed help the most up front. The 6-3 275-pound Dobash projects as a guard at the next level and is one of the best in Oregon at that position.

If the 6-6 310-pound big man can put it all together he could have a very successful collegiate career. The 1^stteam all Mt Hood lineman had an impressive senior year where he made significant strides from the previous season.

One of the fastest rising prospects in Oregon. Simmons was dominant statistically earning 1^stteam all-conference honors on O and 2^ndteam accolades on defense. The size (6-5 220) and length speak for themselves as he has been a standout on the camp circuit and will project at the D1 level.

Nick Jones 26′ RB Eastside Catholic WA

Jones is one of the top sophom*ore backs in WA, averaging 6 yards per carry with 6 TDs at the Varsity level for one of the top programs in the Northwest. The 5-9 175-pound sophom*ore could potentially play a high level of collegiate ball with continued progression.

The 6-4 225 pound 3* TE did a phenomenal job over the off season and on the camp circuit, earning a D1 scholarship from EWU. Stuit can play on either side of the ball and has Lynden Christian competing for a state title.

Murphy earned 1^stteam all-league honors as a junior and is considered one of the better O lineman in Washington regardless of size. The 6-1 265 pounder is a big reason Emerald Ridge ranked as one of the top 4A teams in the state, before losing 36-35 in OT to Kamiakin in the playoffs this past week.

Whit Kruse 24’QB Twelve Bridges CA

The 6-6 215-pound QB had an outstanding senior year, earning 1^stteam all-conference honors and a 2* ranking from 247. The size and overall athleticism (Volleyball) is appealing. He could be a good collegiate QB.

The 6-6 200-pound 1^stteam all-conference TE finished 3^rdin the state in receiving yards, and 1^stin tackles on the defensive side of the ball from his LB spot, covering all classifications. Holub is ranked one of the top dual threat athletes in Oregon.

The 6-3 290 pound 2* lineman has already been offered by numerous schools, who are vying for his services and attending the winter showcase. Goody has a chance to be a 1^stteam all-state kid after earning 1^stteam all-conference honors again this season.

Gibson had a good year for the Grizzlies ranking among the state leaders statistically from his RB spot. On the season he averaged 6.7 yards per carry with 7 TDs and close to 500 yards. He is an ideal candidate for some of the schools attending the winter showcase.

Nowlin is one of the top 2025 QB’s in Oregon regardless of classification, helping his team to the 4A state semifinals for the 2^ndyear in a row. He has made multiple improvements from his sophom*ore to junior year, hitting on 70% of his passes with 25 TDs/6 INTs thus far.

Betts is a 2x 1^stteam all-conference back and helped the Roughriders to a 7-3 record and spot in the championship playoff bracket this past year. The 5-8 185-pound RB will be a PIL POY favorite next season.

The 6-3 190-pound prospect is one of the better athletes to come out of Forest Grove in recent years. Hale played QB and did well but will likely project elsewhere at the next level.

Asher Bowie 24′ TE Post Falls ID(COMMITTED: Eastern Washington)

Bowie did a great job at the NW Winter and Summer Showcase and proceeded to catch 36 passes for 453 yards and 3 TDs, after committing to EWU. At 6-5 225 he has a ton of potential moving forward.

Jackson earned 2^ndteam all-conference honors at WR & kick returner as a sophom*ore and has one of the fastest rising stocks among Jr. WRs in the state. The team has struggled with back-to-back 2-7 seasons.

Jonny Ellis 24′ QB Century OR

The undersized QB has been one of the better players to come out of Century in the last few years, hitting on 57% of his passes with 36 TDs (26 passing, 10 rushing) over the last two seasons. The Jags have struggled as a team but his presence has been crucial.

Colton Hogge 26′ OL Twelve Bridges CA

Twelve Bridges HS currently sits at 11-0, with Hogge being one of those good-looking younger athletes with size (6-4 270), who could be one of the top O linemen in the region next season. They are one of only two undefeated teams at the division 5 level.

Holloway comes back listed as one of the top centers in Oregon at 6-0 240 pounds. He was instrumental and extremely physical, earning 1^stteam all Mid-Willamette honors. The Bulldogs went 8-3 before losing to league rival Silverton for the 2^ndtime this season.

The 6-2 300-pound standout lineman has been a camp guru and one of the most impressive underclassmen at each event. He was one of the only players in the NW to earn 1^stteam all-conference honors as a freshman, while helping his team to an 8-3 record this year.

The 6-4 QB made the transfer from Warrenton to Seaside and has helped the Seagulls to the state semifinals. With his size he’s definitely one of the more intriguing small school quarterbacks.

It looks like Keen is going to graduate early and head to college. He was a walking talking accolade over the course of his career, earning 1^stteam all-state honors and being a player of the year on both sides of the football.

Kehm is a massive human with the frame to play at the next level if he can progress from an overall fluidity standpoint. He transferred from West Linn to Lakeridge and knows what collegiate competition looks like with some of the guys on those rosters.

Projection wise Madigan is undersized at 6-1 250 but one of the most technically sound lineman in the state for his class. He will end up being a three-year starter and all conference kid.

The sophom*ore was one of the better QB’s in his conference, helping the Valiants win 3 of their first 4 games before dealing with concussion issues. He has the potential of being one of the top small school QB’s in the state.

Howell got hurt to start the year which ended his season, but the 2x 1^stteam all Mt Hood lineman was easily one of the best in Oregon at his position. Whatever school swoops him up will get a franchise type player who will be an all-conference guy collegiately.

Rios comes from a talented family and was one of the top 3A QB’s in Oregon, passing for 1640 yards and 24 TDs on the year. He will have a chance collegiately.

Cascade was one of the top 4A teams in Oregon, with the 6-3 300-pound 1^stteam all-conference lineman being a prime target on the interior for many of the schools at the winter showcase. Allen is a high-end academic kid as well, making him that much more appealing from a recruitment standpoint.

Williams will be a fixture on the line for the Tigers in the coming years, while starting in the playoffs as a sophom*ore. He is somewhat undersized but extremely talented, working with the NW’s top line coach in Alex Linnenkohl.