"A Flash of Fire From Every Formation"

Drake Ohde

@DrakeOhde

6ft, Class of 2029

Blue Valley North, KS

Drake can line up at receiver, take a snap at quarterback, run out of the backfield, or make his mark on special teams. That versatility gives him several ways to put his electric playmaking ability to work. Once the ball reaches his hands, he spots a gap and gets upfield fast, turning a small opening into a chance for a big gain.

Through his first three games, Drake has 6 catches for 157 yards, averaging 26 yards per catch, along with 70 yards on 10 rushes and a passing touchdown. He has chipped in with a couple of tackles on special teams, too. Those numbers show a player willing to help wherever he is needed, and a coach can count on him to play hard every time he steps on the field.

Drake has become faster since last season, but he's also seeing the game more clearly. Before the snap, he studies the cornerback’s eyes and alignment for clues about the coverage. A defender watching the quarterback can point him toward zone, while one focused on Drake can signal man coverage. That awareness helps him understand what's happening as the play develops and react without losing a step.

His road to this point has given him plenty of fuel. Drake saw limited JV action last year and was playing a different position, so he put in the work to become a stronger receiver. He sharpened his release, worked on getting open, and trained with Gehrig Dieter to improve his routes, strength, and quickness off the ball. Throwing a touchdown and breaking loose on kickoff returns have given him memorable moments, but he's got his eyes on a deep playoff run.

Drake still feels like an underdog in his area, with plenty of people yet to learn his name. He's using that feeling as fuel every time he takes the field, determined to show what he can do when his number is called.

I assess that Drake gives an offense a way to change its look without sending in a new player. His presence can make defenders pause before committing to an assignment, and that split second can be valuable when a play needs room to develop.

The next test for Drake is making his impact hold up as opponents give him more attention. If he stays patient when a defense takes away its first opening, he has the chance to become even harder to contain late in games. Stay tuned.