College Coaches: If you’d like his contact info and test scores please reach out to me at mattlemming@lemmingprepinsider.com or DM me @lemminginsider.

Penn (IN) 2019 RB/FB is a 3 year varsity starter that helped the Kingsmen to a 2017 runner up state title in 6A. He updated me on his recruiting, his offseason work with Sharpley Training and talked some of his deserving teammates.

Ryan Whiteman

Running Back/Fullback
Penn
Mishawaka, IN
GPA: 3.90/4.00
Commitment status: Undecided
Twitter: @RyanWhiteman34

Ht: 5’10”
Wt: 202 lbs
Class: 2019

LPI: What are your greatest strengths on the field and do you consider yourself a leader?

RW: My strengths are my overall athleticism and toughness. I’m very dedicated not only to my sports, but also to my academics. I really don’t have an offseason and I condition year-round. I’m coming at you just as hard in the 4th quarter and I’m definitely not afraid to run between the tackles or carry the ball in short yardage situations. Not only was I our Team’s leading rusher/scorer, but I also feel I was a leader with my work ethic. In two years on varsity I have never missed a game, a practice or a rep including the optional workouts. I feel my teammates respect me and they can count on me. I am one of our Team’s captains going into next season. Off the field, I also enjoy being a leader, by working our youth football camp, being a freshman mentor, cadet teacher and next year I put in to be a tutor. Leadership is very important to me because my dream would be to play football or rugby at one of the military academies.

LPI: Tell me what you’ve been doing to take your game to the next level. Also, do you play any other sports in the offseason or do you play 7on7?

RW: I have worked very hard the past couple of years getting myself ready to play at the next level by increasing my strength, speed and agility. I’ve invested countless hours in the gym lifting, running hills, pulling sleds, doing cone drills and plyometrics. At 16 years of age and 202 pounds I’m benching over 300, squatting over 500 and can run a 4.5 40 yard dash. I would like to thank our strength and conditioning Coach Matt Cates and Evan Sharpley of Sharpley Training for helping me become competitive for the next level. I’ve also worked very hard to become a complete running back. I’m just as comfortable blocking and catching as I am running the ball. My spring sport is Rugby and I have been playing that since middle school. On our nationally ranked rugby team I play position 8 which is similar to the fullback or h-back position in football. Rugby has definitely helped me become a better football player by adding to my toughness and durability.

LPI: What schools have you been in touch with? Any schools perhaps close to offering??

RW: Being a running back from rural Indiana, exposure has come at a premium and I’ve been trying to do some self-marketing. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Our football team did make it to the 6A State Championship last year and we were the Runner-ups to Indianapolis Ben Davis. Currently I communicate on a regular basis with Western Michigan (Football), I’ve met with one of the Air Force Academy’s coaches (Football) and have spoken with Army’s head coach (Rugby). I’m thankful for the attention I’ve received so far, but still hopeful there is more to come.

LPI: Do you have any visits coming up?

RW: I would like to make a trip out east to visit Army and Navy this coming summer as well as hitting a few more camps and combines here in the Midwest.

LPI: Who are some of your teammates or training partners that you think can play at the next level, but have gone overlooked by college coaches?

RW: Of course being a running back I would like to nominate my entire offensive line, especially OT Ty McCaskill (Sr.) who at 6’6’’ and over 300 pounds and has the size to play Division 1. Ty comes from a football family. His father is one of our line coaches and his grandfather is a retired coach from our program. His brother is former college lineman at Marion University. Our QB Ryan Lynch (So.) is a great all-around athlete and already has on offer form Notre Dame to play baseball. He is the fastest player on our team and is a threat running the ball as well. His sister was voted the top female high school soccer player in Indiana and will play in college. My neighbor and good friend WR Zack Usenick (Sr.) was our leading receiver and was second on the team in scoring. Zack is 6’2’’ 190 and definitely has the speed, hops and hands to play at the next level. He really came on strong during the playoffs this year and helped us make it to State. On the defensive side our star starting safety Paul Moala has already committed to Notre Dame, but our top defensive lineman and sack leader James Morris is definitely being overlooked. James is a great athlete and is the strongest player on our team. We worked together this last summer as lifeguards and I look up to him a lot. My training partner Max Chaffee (Sr.), in my opinion, is one of the best Punter’s in the nation. With us going 13-2 this season we were fortunate not to have to use Max very often, but when we did he always came through for us pining our opponent deep in their own territory. Max is also a sectional champion wrestler.