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2018 Prospects

Caden Townsend Brings High Motor To Prep

Caden Townsend Brings High Motor To Prep

Article by Coach Demian Walter- Eastside Analyst for NWPR


If there is one thing you may have picked up from reading a few of my articles recently, is that one of the highest regards I give to a football player is if he plays with a high motor and gives great effort. Well, I found EXACTLY that kind of guy today in Caden Townsend, a 6’ 3” 245lb. Class of 2018 DE/OLB from POWERHOUSE Gonzaga Prep High School in Spokane, WA.

When I came across Caden’s junior season highlight film I fell in love with his game right from the very first play of his film (See Below). His film contains everything you are looking for from a defensive player, BIG HITS, HIGH MOTOR, ATHLETICISM & IMPACTING A GAME IN MANY WAYS. Caden’s high motor and extreme effort and unique athleticism is on full display on play # 4 (at the:39 mark of film) as he tips a bubble screen pass in the backfield that leads to a backwards pass fumble and he runs from the center of the field to near the sideline to scoop the ball off the ground and return the fumble for a 40-yard touchdown. Like I said high motor and supreme athleticism! Play #5 is just an unbelievable play. Caden gets a fumble recovery and returns it for a touchdown about 60 yards and displays athleticism and speed you will not see every day from a guy 6’3” 245lbs. His film is awesome to me. I watched the film again the other night and my wife said to me in a concerned voice, “what is wrong, why do you keep saying “WOW”, is everything ok”? I told her not to worry there is nothing wrong but I just simply cannot believe how good this guy’s film is and how unique his speed and effort is on the defensive side of the ball.  

Like I said high motor and supreme athleticism! Play #5 is just an unbelievable play. Caden gets a fumble recovery and returns it for a touchdown about 60 yards and displays athleticism and speed you will not see every day from a guy 6’3” 245lbs. His film is awesome to me. I watched the film again the other night and my wife said to me in a concerned voice, “what is wrong, why do you keep saying “WOW”, is everything ok”? I told her not to worry there is nothing wrong but I just simply cannot believe how good this guy’s film is and how unique his speed and effort is on the defensive side of the ball.  

This guy is so versatile and such a good athlete that he even lines up in press coverage as a CORNERBACK on film and he looks perfectly fine doing it. Have you ever in your life heard of a hand in the ground Defensive End who can line up at Cornerback at times? I have never heard of that. Caden said, “yeah there were times last year the coaches did line me up at cornerback and they also stand me up some time as an OLB and have me in coverage.” Caden indicated to me as a young player growing up, he played quarterback and tailback his whole life and that is where he developed his athleticism and versatility was from being a skill position player. He also gets his current athleticism from a specific person, “my mom rowed crew at Washington State University and she is basically the person I get my athleticism from.”

Caden indicated to me as a young player growing up, he played quarterback and tailback his whole life and that is where he developed his athleticism and versatility was from being a skill position player. He also gets his current athleticism from a specific person, “my mom rowed crew at Washington State University and she is basically the person I get my athleticism from.”

I am not usually a stats guy. Sometimes I think statistics do not tell the full story about a player but I would be remiss if I did not mention Caden’s defensive stats from his junior season because there is just so many statistics in so many different categories that it truly does explain the high motor and great effort this guy plays with not to mention his supreme athleticism. Caden recorded 11 sacks last season and 9 tackles for loss, to go along with 63 tackles. Caden recovered 5 fumbles last season and returned two fumbles himself for TD’s. He tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage that led to an interception. He blocked a P.A.T. I know in basketball they often say a guy is a “Stat Sheet Stuffer”, well Townsend is the football version of a stat sheet stuffer.

Recruiting has been solid so far, as Caden said that to this point he has had the most communication with Eastern Washington University, through their defensive line Coach Eti Ena. The second most legitimate interest he has had to this point is from Fresno State University, as Coach Jamar Caine called him personally on the phone and Coach Kirby Moore visited his high school last spring to evaluate him and watch him workout in the weight room.  Caden said there has been some good solid interest so far from Montana State University also. Portland State University and Carrol College have also been in communication with him.  

Caden and I met for about 45 minutes and I am so impressed with this guy as a person. The things that are important to him internally really help me understand why Gonzaga Prep is such a powerhouse football program. They have great talent for sure and that is fine but what the coaching staff at G-Prep is instilling in the mental makeup of their players is also a major factor as to why that program is a winner.  Caden shared with me some of the things that are important to him.

He said, “my goal this season is to grow as a person. I want to work on the younger guys in the program and be a good role model for them, so the G-Prep program can continue to move forward with pride. Connor McKenna and Matthew Simpson (both play football at Eastern Washington University currently) were my mentors when I was a sophomore and junior and they showed me how to do the right things and I just want to follow their example and do the same for the young guys.”

Caden also said to me, “In addition to my speed, I feel that my best attribute that I have for the game of football and to my team is that I have perseverance for when the going gets tough. One of our assistant coaches here at G-Prep named H.T. Higgins always instills that into us and it has always stuck with me and I really believe in it.”

Caden said the G-Prep team is “looking really good for this upcoming season. We have worked really hard in the offseason as a team in the weight room and developed trust amongst one another during those off-season workouts, which has, in turn, created great chemistry and a tight bond, family unit amongst the team.” I thought it was pretty cool listening to Caden talk to me about all these fine details of the team and of being a football player as I looked down and noticed the giant diamond encrusted State Title Ring on his finger. Those state title rings don’t come by accident or by just being talented. There is a lot that goes into earning one of those rings and I can see why Caden has already earned one State Title ring so far!

I am not a college coach and I will never pretend to be one but I am going to just take a guess that College football staffs want guys who are athletic of course, explosive, fast and physical. I also would guess that they want guys who are good people, good leaders, have mental toughness, solid student, and a guy who is a winner from a successful program. When you can get those things all combined in one guy then you have yourself a great recruit. Caden Townsend checks off all those boxes to me.  I am really looking forward to watching Caden this season and I wish him all the best in all he does.

Here is a link to the hudl highlight film for Caden Townsend:

http://www.hudl.com/v/27AsZr

I am the Founder of the Northwest Prep Report. For 17 years I have led the way to the best of my ability to promote the best talent from the Pacific NW free of charge. It is my pleasure to continue to serve High School athletes from all over the Pacific NW and beyond. Formerly with Rivals.com my sites have now crossed over 8,000 stories, 7 MILLION Video Views, and 15,000 regular followers. Together with the best football people in the USA we pursue excellence for our NW athletes.

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