As we prepare for the start of the 2024 Ohio high school football season, we analyze the best players by position. During the preseason, we rank the top 10 quarterbacks, running backs, receivers/tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs, specialists and two-way players from Greater Akron.
Today we look at the top 10 two-way players, starting with Division II Hoban phenom Elbert Hill, a four-star recruit and No. 1 nationally ranked cornerback.
Elbert Hill
Hoban, cornerback, running back, returner (1.78 m, 77 kg), born 2026
Hill is the No. 1 cornerback in the country and has over 30 offers from Division I programs. The Division II All-Ohioan first-team prospect should be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. He’s also a damn good returner and is sometimes used out of the backfield.
Buddy Willing
Norton, wide receiver/safety (1.88 m, 86 kg), born in 2026
Willig was a Division III First-Team All-Ohio wide receiver. He caught 26 passes for 536 yards and ran for 532 yards on 51 carries for 11 total touchdowns. He also recorded 88 tackles with three interceptions and two defensive scores.
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Gavin Madigan
Wadsworth, Wide Receiver/Safety (5-11, 210 pounds), Class of 2026
Madigan was selected as a Division I All-Ohio selection last season. He made 93 tackles, including eight for loss, and had two interceptions. Madigan also had eight pass defenses and scored a defensive touchdown. He ran for 150 yards and scored a touchdown and caught 25 balls for 346 yards with six touchdowns.
Ziaire Stevens, East
East, running back/cornerback (5-11, 190 pounds), class of 2025
Stevens was the Division II co-offensive player of the year and a first-team All-Ohioan. The Purdue product rushed for 2,058 yards and 18 touchdowns on 153 carries. On defense, the senior recorded 11 tackles.
Terrell Wharton, Jr.
East, tight end/cornerback/safety (1.85 m, 77 kg), born in 2026
Wharton was a Division III All-Ohio honorable mention last season. He has offers from Penn State, Wisconsin, Pitt, Kentucky, Indiana, Purdue, Central Michigan, Kent State, Akron and Toledo. He shined on defense last year, recording 34 tackles, five interceptions and nine pass breakups.
Joey Kopec
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, running back/linebacker (6-foot-8, 200 pounds), graduating class of 2026
Kopec was a Division III All-Ohioan last season. He has 166 career tackles, rushed for 1,742 yards and scored 22 times. He has offers from Akron, Kent State, Toledo, Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan.
Lucas Tielsch
Copley, Offensive Tackle/Nose Guard (6-8, 295 pounds), Class of 2026
One look at the thrower on the track team shows what a great college talent he is. Tielsch has offers from Kentucky, Buffalo, Western Michigan, Louisville, Bowling Green, Ball State, Akron, Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Toledo, Pitt, Central Michigan and Cincinnati.
Aiden Henry
Walsh Jesuit, Wide Receiver/Cornerback (5-9, 170 pounds), Class of 2025
Henry was selected to the Division II All-District second team. He caught 42 passes for 536 yards. On offense, he scored seven touchdowns. On defense, he made 41 tackles, had two interceptions and recorded seven pass breakups.
Pauline Koch
Hoban, wide receiver/cornerback (1.88 m, 77 kg), born 2026
The four-star recruit and honorable mention All-Ohioan in Division II is a blue chip recruit with offers from Michigan, Miami, Louisville, Pitt, Kentucky, Purdue, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Boston College, as well as interest from Ohio State. Cook had 32 receptions for 416 yards and a score last season.
Stevie Diamond
Buchtel, quarterback/free safety (1.90 m, 86 kg), born 2025
The three-star recruit holds an offer from Marshall after a junior season in which he threw for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns. Diamond also carried the ball 68 times for 280 yards and five touchdowns.
Contact Brad Bournival at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival.
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