The only people who could be a little disappointed about the success of the Southwest Ohio Small School Football Combine are the owners of the Finneytown Wings and Rings on Winton Road.
That restaurant was the setting for several meetings between four area high school football coaches − Harry McCall (Aiken), Jeff Cargile (CCPA), Greg Conwell (North College Hill) and Armand Tatum (formerly of Finneytown) − looking for a way to get their players on the recruitment radar of college coaches.
“There’s a lot of talent in this city at the smaller school level,” said Tatum, who was named the assistant offensive line coach at Moeller in January.
That quartet met for nearly a year planning out a scouting combine for smaller Greater Cincinnati programs, discussing what drills would work best, what college coaches wanted to see and how to display their top players efficiently over a three-hour window.
“We didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into. It turned out to be great. It was an overwhelming success,” McCall said. “Even more coaches came out and showed a lot of love and a lot of kids got to display their ability. That’s what it’s all about.”
On Wednesday May 7 at Finneytown High School, eight schools (Aiken, Cincinnati College Prep, Clark Montessori, Finneytown, Gamble Montessori, Hughes, North College Hill and Shroder) combined to send 104 athletes to workout in position groups in front of over a dozen colleges.
“It’s great for our kids,” Cargile said. “I think a lot of these coaches don’t know that around our city, these smaller schools have excellent talent. It might not be FBS-level talent, but it’s definitely college material. Any school we can get to come watch our kids is good for us.”
Here’s who stood out at the second Southwest Ohio Small School Combine.
Quarterback
Brandon Wise, Finneytown
At 6-foot-3, Wise stands tall in the pocket and paired well with receivers he had never previously worked with.
Wise, a Class of 2026 prospect, moved efficiently and threw the ball well on the run and was able to connect with pass-catchers at all three levels.
As a junior last season, Wise showcased his athleticism as a receiver and defensive back for the Wildcats. Offensively, he averaged 18.9 yards per reception, finishing with 11 grabs. Defensively, he totaled 18 tackles, forced two fumbles and had a key interception in Finneytown’s 22-18 win over Lockland.
Amieil Kahr, North College Hill
Kahr was another gunslinger with time to grow as a Class of 2027 recruit. The sophomore threw with anticipation throughout reps with unfamiliar receivers.
Kahr already has varsity experience under his belt to help him grow as an upperclassman, completing 10 passes for 100 yards in two games last season for the Trojans. His first prep touchdown pass helped North College Hill beat Woodward, 19-6.
Running back
Marlan Robertson, CCPA
Another 2027 prospect with a ton of upside, Robertson is part of a class that Cargile said is “probably gonna take us over the top.”
The Lions won the CMAC Blue last season with a trip to the regional semifinals. Robertson played a big part of that success as the Lions’ leading rusher.
In 92 attempts as a sophomore, Robertson churned out 5.4 yards per carry and found the end zone four times. Robertson cracked 100 yards on just 10 totes and a touchdown in the regular season finale against Dayton Christian. In the first round of the playoffs against Southeastern Local, Robertson ran for a career-high 103 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown in the Lions’ 20-7 victory.
“We’re looking at big things from him (Robertson),” Cargile said. “I’m really excited to see what he’s gonna do. He’s probably my best football player.”
Wide receivers
Nehemiah Engleman, Hughes
One of only a handful of current freshmen (Class of 2028) on the field Wednesday, Engleman showed he belonged as one of the shiftiest and explosive prospects at his position.
Hughes will make sure to get the ball in hands as many times as possible over the next three seasons. Last fall, the freshman suited up at receiver for the Big Red and had 15 receptions for 161 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Javian Allen, North College Hill
With consistent reps, Allen could be one of the top targets in the Miami Valley Conference next season. He’s got the size to tower over undersized defensive backs and he high points the football well on top of smooth route running.
Allen also has the quickness to rack up yards after the catch. As a junior, Allen averaged 18.2 yards per catch and had a pair of touchdowns. He also did damage on the ground, racking up 13.3 yards per carry and two scores. Allen had over 100 yards from scrimmage in each of North College Hill’s last three games.
Defensive back
Andre Underwood, Aiken
Several Aiken Falcons put on a good showing Wednesday, but Underwood stood out both at defensive back and running back.
At corner, Underwood displayed quick feet and a sudden, controlled change of direction on top of solid ball skills. At running back, his ability to get skinny near the line of scrimmage allowed him to get to the second level.
Underwood was Aiken’s starting quarterback last season, throwing for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was also the Falcons’ leading rusher with 552 yards and eight scores on the ground, leading to Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors in the CMAC.
Underwood picked up an offer from Presbyterian College, an FCS program in Clinton, South Carolina and one of the schools in attendance Wednesday, according to McCall. Underwood is being recruited as an athlete and has interest from several other schools like Fordham, Indiana State and Dartmouth.
“I tell coaches, ‘You want as many good football players and as many good human beings as you can get in your program.’ He’s one of those,” McCall said. “He’s our leader.”
Linebacker
Tyrone Bush-Freeman, Aiken
Bush-Freeman, a junior, had some of the best vision of any linebacker on the field and his quick burst gets him downhill in a hurry.
Bush-Freeman had 32 total tackles, including two sacks, a forced fumble and one fumble recovery last season for the Falcons.
Kicker
Alex Anderson, Finneytown
One special teamer was on hand Wednesday, booting 45-yard field goals just a few feet from where wide receivers were sprinting across the field during a gauntlet drill.
Alex Anderson, a self-described junk baller for Finneytown’s baseball team, took some time away from the diamond to focus on his kicking. It’s just in his blood as his grandfather, Jeff Steel, punted at Ball State in 1971.
“He’d throw me a ball and tell me to punt it or kick it out of the grass,” said Anderson, who began playing at Finneytown in eighth grade. “I’ve been kicking ever since.”
Anderson connected from 37 yards out against Madeira last season. He plans to either kick in college or join ROTC.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ‘It’s great for our kids.’ Here’s who stood out at Southwest Ohio Small School Combine
Reporting by Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
