IHSAA football preview: These dozen players are primed for a breakout 2023 season

These players were not necessarily the stars on their respective teams a year ago. But the potential is there for these 12 Central Indiana high school football players to have breakout seasons in 2023:

Henry Adams, Roncalli

The 5-9, 160-pound Adams will probably share the running back duties with senior Ben Brandenburg, who is also expected to be an important part of the Royals’ defense at linebacker. Those two will look to carry on the Roncalli running back tradition, following Luke Hansen (3,080 yards, 35 touchdown last season). In eight games last season, Adams rushed for 255 yards and two TDs and returned four kicks for 16.8 yards on average. Over the past two seasons, Brandenburg has 352 rushing yards and two TDs. Adams and Brandenburg will be running behind a much more inexperienced offensive line coming off last year’s 12-2 and Class 4A regional championship season.

IHSAA football preview: Dozen top RBs to watch in Central Indiana

Top Guns: Top area QBs to watch for 2023

Mason Alexander, Hamilton Southeastern

The 6-foot, 165-pound junior cornerback had 21 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries last year as a sophomore and played some offense with three receptions for 16 yards. Alexander’s recruitment exploded this spring as he picked up offers from Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss, Pitt, Purdue and Ball State. Look for his impact on the field to take off for a Hamilton Southeastern team bringing a lot of talent back from an 12-1 regional championship team.

Tanner Aspeslet, Lawrence North

The 6-4, 205-pound junior seems like a prime candidate for a breakout season. Montez Jones, who started the last two seasons at quarterback, is moving to different role as a receiver/running back and could still play some QB. But Aspeslet, who was 19-for-31 for 300 yards and two TDs with two interceptions as a sophomore, is expected to step into the full-time starter role. There is work to do developing the offensive line, but the Wildcats have a strong group of skill position players around Aspeslet for a team coming off a 4-6 season.

Aiden Brewer, Noblesville

The 6-3, 200-pound Brewer is coming off a strong sophomore season that saw him lead the Millers with 15 receptions for 267 yards and three TDs. Brewer, also a key player for the Noblesville basketball team, had five catches for 124 yards from his tight end position as a freshman. Brewer picked up offers this spring from Indiana, Ball State, Bowling Green, Toledo and Western Michigan. Noblesville is coming off a 4-7 season with higher expectations with Brewer among several skill position players returning.

Tyrone Burrus, Warren Central

The 6-4, 220-pound Burrus, a junior defensive end, is one of the top returners on defense for the Warriors, who are coming off a 6-6 season. Burrus had 35 tackles last season as a sophomore, along with four sacks, 7 ½ tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown) and a blocked field goal. Burrus’ current offer list is Ball State, Central Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Jackson State, Miami of Ohio, Minnesota, Purdue, Toledo, Western Michigan and West Virginia. Warren Central has a pair of standout junior defensive ends with Burrus and Damien Shanklin.

Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central

The 6-3, 175-pound junior quarterback returns after starting as a sophomore. He completed 57.1% of his passes for 898 yards and eight TDs with six interceptions in nine games as the Cougars went 7-4 for the second consecutive season. Freeman also ran for 157 yards and two TDs. In Greenfield-Central’s run-based offense under coach Travis Nolting, Freeman brings a passing threat to keep defenses off balance.

Luke Murphy, Zionsville

The 5-11, 180-pound senior played a lot of quarterback as a sophomore, completing 62.5% of his passes for 1,421 yards and 13 touchdowns with six interceptions on a team that went 9-6 and played in the Class 5A state championship game. With Ball State commit Christian Abney the starter at quarterback last season, Murphy saw limited time at quarterback, finishing 24-for-60 passing for 318 yards in three games. He did play free safety, though, making 25 tackles. Murphy gives coach Scott Turnquist experience at quarterback coming off a 4-6 season.

Isaiah Needam, Perry Meridian

The senior cornerback is a potential FCS-level or Division II talent who is coming off a season that saw him finish with 26 tackles. He also saw time as a kickoff returner. The 6-1, 175-pound Needam, coming off a strong season in track and field that saw him reach the regional in the 100 meters, could also factor in as a receiver.

Maximus Nosler, Westfield

The 6-3, 225-pound senior tight end is coming off a big junior season that saw him make 27 catches for 454 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for a TD. Nosler and junior receiver Gabe Aramboles will be key players for Westfield, which will be breaking in a new starting quarterback after Cole Ballard’s graduation. Nosler picked up offers this spring from Central Michigan, Butler and Holy Cross. The Shamrocks were 8-4 last season, falling to Hamilton Southeastern in the regional.

Toby Savini, Cascade

The 5-9, 155-pound running back was one of Cascade’s most important players as a freshman, running for 503 yards and three touchdowns and catching six passes for 157 yards and two TDs. Savini was also a primary kickoff returner for the Cadets, averaging 18.6 yards on 21 returns. Cascade brings a lot of talent back after starting three freshmen and three sophomores on offense in the sectional. Savini is one of the top returners for the no-huddle, wing-T attack that averaged 298 yards on the ground in 2022. He also played varsity basketball and baseball as a freshman.

Andrew Smith, Danville

In fairness, the 6-3, 220-pound senior linebacker is coming off a big junior season that saw him make 90 tackles, including two for a loss, one fumble recovery, one sack and cause one fumble. But coach Jayme Comer expects even more out of the three-year starter going into his senior season. Smith is a rangy athlete who can run and cover the field and will be counted on as a leader for the Warriors on the defensive side. Smith, who has an offer from Division II Ashland University, has 128 career tackles, including seven for a loss.

Isaac Wilson, Pendleton Heights

The 5-9, 155-pound Wilson moved from receiver as a sophomore to quarterback as a junior, a transition that benefitted the Arabians. Wilson improved as a passer throughout the season, completing 11-of-12 passes for 111 yards a touchdown in a near-upset of Greenfield-Central in the sectional. In nine games, he completed 58.3% of his passes for 864 yards and six TDs with six interceptions. Wilson is a threat to run, too, going for 583 yards on the ground (5.2 yards per carry) and 10 TDs. Coming off a 5-5 season, Pendleton Heights has a record number of kids out for the team and higher expectations.

Call Star reporter at (317) 444-6649 or email kyle.neddenriep@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school football 2023: Dozen potential breakout players