Nearly 200 athletes from over 5 states invaded Crown Point, Indiana to compete in the annual Indiana Winter Showcase camp series. The Indiana Winter Showcase a long staple in Indianapolis, took the show on the road to Crown Point, Indiana to highlight the talent from Northwest Indiana. The talent level was high and plenty of players made names for themselves. The Indiana Showcase presenting by media partner the Indiana Preps Sports Network, partnered with Traction Athletic Performance (Traction AP) and More Than Athletics firms based in Fort Wayne. Traction AP is the performance team for the Indiana Showcase series, while More Than Athletics provides recruiting and academic tools for participants.
Best of Best
Gary West Side’s Terrelle Elmore has the makings to be one of the top edge rushers in the state’s 2024 class. The 6’2 215-pound defensive lineman brings a great get off with speed and athleticism to his game. Possesses great bend and has the frame to add some weight over the next couple of seasons. High motor kid on tape and displayed the same in Crown Point. We’ve had the honor to cover Louisville recruit Popeye Williams, and Elmore draws early comparisons.
Park Tudor High quarterback DJ Gordon has arm talent and the ball comes out hot behind his 6’1 196-pound stature. Fluid in drills, Gordon put touch on the ball and heat when needed. Just a 2024, Gordon has time to sharpen skills this offseason and should be a name to know heading into his junior season.
Hammond Morton defensive back Fredrick Brown is a name to know, and he made his presence felt among the hundreds of players competing. The class of 2025 prospect was fluid in drills, natural hips and competed for every football in the 1-on-1 segment. Brown possesses the size of a senior at 5’11 178-pounds. He has the speed and athleticism to play corner or safety at the next level.
Class of 2024 Trey Stephens shined in running back drills and competition on the day. The Andrean High prospect played on both sides of the ball for the Class 2A state champions. On tape the 6’0 195-pound Stephens is a downhill, one cut ball carrier with homerun speed. On the defensive side, he imploded ball carriers and made a ton of plays on a very talented team. In shorts and t-shirts, Stephens showcased why he’s a legit athlete. His sharp cuts, ability to plant and change direction, left defenders grasping for straws in the open-field segment against linebackers.
Next Best
Carman-Ainsworth (MI) High 2024 quarterback Nigell Johnson was named a top performer by his coaches. Johnson displayed a quick release and threw the wide receivers open. Class of 2025 Hobart quarterback Noah Ehrlich was as good as anyone in the position group. He has a great deep ball, tremendous accuracy and the transition from his drop to the release is as smooth as it comes. Obvious arm talent, Ehrlich checks a lot of boxes. Look for Chesterton High 2024 quarterback Sebastian Boswell to step in nicely for the Trojans after graduating Chris Mullen.
A mix of experience and youth made up a talented wide receiver group. Carmel High 2022 wideout Jaedon King was a tough cover, while Peoria (IL) High receiver Jaylen Robinson flashed his ball skills. Calumet 2024 receiver Terrell Caldwell landed on our 2024 Primer and he did not disappoint. Merrillville High Xamere Martin is a 2025 slot guy who was named to Top 6 for wideouts.
Best of the Rest
Running Back Makhi Jackson (Lafaollete, WI 2023), Linebacker Tayvion Ortman (New Prairie, IN 2023), Tight End Brandon Escobedo (Lake Central, IN 2023), Offensive Lineman DeEric Mister (Gary West Side, IN 2023), and Defensive Back Damarion Jackson (Lafayette Jefferson, IN 2024).
NEXT UP
A small group of class of 2026 athletes participated on Sunday and a handful were impressive and made names for themselves. Da’Mon Thomas didn’t shy away from going against his older peers. He had several break-ups and made plays at the linebacker spot. At 5’11 160-pounds, look for Thomas to gain size and speed over the next four years. Defensive Lineman Mark Gonzales III (6′ 215), Running Back Jaylyn Ester (5’10 160), and Wide Receiver Carsen Eloms (5’7 130) held their own with the upperclassmen.
All Camp Team (SELECTED BY POSITION COACHES)
| QUARTERBACKS | |
| Sebastian Boswell | Chesterton (IN) 2024 |
| Owen Sheele | Carroll (IN) 2023 |
| Nigel Johnson | Carman-Ainsworth (MI) 2023 |
| Noah Ehrlich | Hobart (IN) 2025 |
| Scott Ballentine | Andrean (IN) 2024 |
| Brady Elish | Crown Point (IN) 2026 |
| Bradan Corbett | Fort Wayne (IN) 2026 |
| #130 | 2026 |
| Kodie Young | Portage (IN) 2026 |
| RUNNING BACKS | |
| Camjay Terrell | Gary West Side (IN) 2023 |
| Makhi Jackson | Lafollete (WI) 2023 |
| Dontell Harris Jr | Hammond Morton (IN) 2024 |
| Trey Stephens | Andrean (IN) 2024 |
| Vaughn Rael-Kludt | Portage (IN) 2026 |
| Jayln Ester | Danville (IL) 2026 |
| OFFENSIVE LINEMEN | |
| Spencer Dow | Maine South (IL) 2023 |
| Bennett Smith | Maine South (IL) 2023 |
| Wyatt Birch | Dekalb (IN) 2024 |
| Wyatt Strange | Oak Hill (IN) 2023 |
| WIDE RECEIVERS | |
| Tyree Lee | Hillcrest (IL) 2022 |
| Jaylen Robinson | Peoria (IL) 2022 |
| Xamere Martin | Merrillville (IN) 2025 |
| Karson King | Kankakee (IL) 2023 |
| Terrell Caldwell | Calumet (IN) 2024 |
| Jaedon King | Carmel (IN) 2022 |
| Gavin Jones | Merrillville (IN) 2026 |
| Carsen Eloms | Fishers (IN) 2026 |
| DEFENSIVE LINEMEN | |
| Terrelle Elmore | Gary West Side (IN) 2024 |
| Jamari Jefferson | Gary West Side (IN) 2023 |
| Mark Gonzales III | Crown Point (IN) 2026 |
| Michael Bell | Wheeler (IN) 2022 |
| LINEBACKERS | |
| Adonis Roberts | Hammond Morton (IN) 2023 |
| DaMarion Lee | Portage (IN) 2023 |
| Tayvion Ortman | New Prairie (IN) 2023 |
| DEFENSIVE BACKS | |
| Weldon Anderson | Lake Central (IN) 2023 |
| Fredrick Brown | Hammond Morton (IN) 2024 |
| Damarion Jackson | Lafayette Jefferson (IN) 2024 |
| #39 | |
| Kiyren Bronner | Cathedral (IN) 2022 |
| Jacob Davis | Normal West (IL) 2023 |
INDIANA PREPS SPORTS NETWORK 