Case File No. 43: Kazuchika Okada

 

Photo Credit: AXS TV.

Today, I open the case file of AEW (All-Elite Wrestling) wrestler Kazuchika Okada, who became a mega star in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is currently AEW's Unified Champion.

HT: 6-3 WT: 236

Promotion: AEW

Credentials:

AEW Unified Champion (current)

AEW Champion (1)

AEW Continental (1)

Continental Classic Winner (2024)

IWGP Heavyweight Champion (7x)

Strengths:

-Combination of size and strength

-Athletic

-Very good in-ring performer

-Great at executing and selling moves

Weaknesses:

-Work on mic skills and promos

-Lack of personality

Final Analysis

I think Okada is close to being a complete package. He has a combination of size and strength; he's more athletic than he looks, has one of the best dropkicks in the business right now. I think the only one with a better dropkick is (fellow AEW wrestler) Kevin Knight, but I digress. A very good in-ring performer who excels at selling moves whether it's performing them or taking them, I rarely, if at all, see him botch anything. 

His mic skills/promos needs work. Although it looks like this has been toned down, but at one point, he would say a few sentences, and then follow it up with "b*tch!" That's not good mic skills; even those who found it funny at first, I'm sure it got tiresome after a while because I don't hear it too much nowadays. I do keep in mind that he's not from this country, so maybe his English isn't that fluent as of yet.

The other thing is working on his personality. It looks like AEW Creative are trying to give him one, but it seems forced versus it happening naturally. Although I think he has more personality than most male Japanese wrestlers I've seen because a lot of them have this stone-faced, dead look/personality.

Although most view Okada as great or elite already, I think he's close to greatness. He's one of the few wrestlers that I view as at least watchable nowadays. Not saying every match is "5 stars," but I can't think of a match I watched with him in it that was boring.

 If he improves on the mic and promos, and continues to work on his personality--I'm not saying he has to be polarizing, but find a way to be interesting and compelling in that area--I think he will eventually make the ranks of the rare elite. By that I mean, overall, because I'm sure he's an icon in Japan.

Case File No. 42: Jeremiah Fears

 

Photo Credit: Stephen Lew/Imagn Images.

Today, I look into the file of New Orleans Pelicans combo guard, Jeremiah Fears, who could be a Rookie of the Year candidate.

Team: New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

HT: 6-3 WT: 190

Credentials:

SEC All-Freshman Team (2025)

Strengths:

-Versatile

-Very good ball handler

-Good shooter, has a lot of range on his shot

-Can create his own shot

-Athletic

-Attacks the basket

-Good passer

-Active hands, shows discipline as a defender

Weaknesses:

-Get better defensively

-Get stronger

-Be more of a facilitator

Final Analysis

I think there's a lot to like about Jeremiah's game. As a scorer, he can create his own shot, whether as a shooter or attacking the basket. He has good range on his jump shot, and is not afraid of contact when attacking the basket.

He handles the ball very well; I don't see him turn the ball over very often. He's able to maintain his dribble in traffic. He's a good passer with good court vision. He has active hands as a defender, and for the most part, has discipline. I don't see him get in foul trouble often. Lighting fast, he is very good at playing passing lanes.

He has a light frame and can get overpowered by bigger players. While he's exceptional at getting steals, perhaps it's a situation where he's out of position, but I see him get beat more often than not. His assist average is way too low for a point guard, which makes me think he might be better off as a shooting guard. 

Jeremiah has shown a lot so far in his rookie season, and has tons of upside. I think he's capable of being of being an equally effective scorer and facilitator because of his court vision and ability as a passer, although, right now, the assist numbers doesn't reflect that. To be fair, part of the reason is because he's on a team with multiple ball handlers, so that could change if some of them were moved.

His numbers have taken a dip as of late, but overall, if he continues to develop and work on his defense, I see an All-Star caliber player in the future.

Case File No. 41: Patrick Mahomes

 

Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Today, I take look at Patrick Mahomes, who will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play, and possibly the best quarterback ever. 

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Position: Quarterback

HT: 6-2 WT: 225

Credentials:

3x Super Bowl Champion

3x Super Bowl MVP

2x NFL MVP

Offensive Player of the Year (2018)

3x All-Pro

6x Pro Bowl

Strengths:

-Unheralded leader

-Great clutch player

-Exceptional poise in the pocket

-Great pocket presence

-Accurate

-Great timing and anticipation

-Can make all the throws

-Can make accurate throws from awkward throwing angles

-Great at reading and manipulating defenses

Weaknesses:

-Occasionally will try to force the big play

-Occasionally will try to force the ball in multiple coverages

Final Analysis:

Patrick is a rare talent. To me, he's in a league of his own. It's almost like watching a "Create-a-Player" on Madden, where you set all of the attributes to 99. He has absolute command of the huddle, and respect from his teammates.

He has poise in the pocket; he's smart with the ball, his throws are usually accurate and with a nice touch, but he can also rifle it in there--the latter can his weakness sometimes, which I'll get to in a little bit--and he has great timing and anticipation. I've heard some claim forcing him to play from the pocket is the best way to stop him, but I've seen him beat teams that way. 

He can make all the throws, and he can accurately make throws from awkward throwing angles or body positions. He can make plays from the pocket, as well as with his feet. An excellent clutch player.

It's difficult finding a glaring weakness in his game. At times he will get impatient and try to force the big play versus taking what the defense gives him. Although he has improved in this area, he will revert back to that occasionally. Like most quarterbacks with great or rare arm strength, he can get too confident in his arm and force the ball in multiple coverages at times. The Catch-22 to that is he usually completes the pass, but there are times when it comes back to bite him.

The way he plays the game is unique, to say the least. I've never seen anybody like in the NFL like him. Now in his ninth year, he accomplished more in his first eight years than most quarterbacks will their entire career. He had an off year by his standards, but there's no doubt in my mind that he will bounce back. He will definitely go down as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play, and possibly the greatest.

Case File No. 40: Demond Williams Jr.

 

Photo Credit: John Froschauer/ AP Photo.

Today, I take a look at Demond Williams Jr., a quarterback I think has impressive tools, plays bigger than his size, and showed Heisman potential during the first half of the season.

Position: Quarterback

HT: 5-11 WT: 190

College: Washington

Class: Sophmore

Strengths:

-Very good pocket presence

-Accurate

-Very good timing and anticipation on throws

-Can make all the throws

-Can make plays with his arm and feet

-Plays bigger than his size

Weaknesses:

-Diminutive frame

-Doesn't play too well against top-tier opponents

-Must be smarter as a runner

Final Analysis:

I think there's a lot to like about Demond's game. He shows very good poise in the pocket; he goes through his progressions, and usually makes the right decisions. He makes pretty, accurate throws on short, immediate, and deep throws. He has really good timing and anticipation on most throws. He can make plays with his arm and feet effectively.

I find myself saying this about a lot of quarterbacks nowadays, and although he has shown durability, his diminutive frame could be an issue at the next level. I noticed that his high level of play isn't the same against top-tier teams (i.e., Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, and Indiana) vs. the mid-tier to lower level teams. He needs to be smarter as a runner; he takes unnecessary hits sometimes.

Demond has tremendous upside and showed plenty of promise his sophmore season. He reminds me a little of Jayden Daniels (his last two seasons at LSU) and Bryce Young when he played for Alabama. I think another season in school will do him some good. If he continues to develop and gets better in the big games, he could be a Heisman candidate-- if he's not already-- heading into next season.

Case File No. 39: Jalen Milroe

 

Jalen Milroe. Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images.

Today, I dig into the file of Jalen Milroe, winner of the William V. Campbell trophy (considered an academic version of the Heisman), and is a prospect in the upcoming NFL draft.

Position: Quarterback 

HT: 6-2 WT: 216

College: Alabama

Class: Senior

Credentials:

William V. Campbell Trophy (2024)

Second-Team All-SEC (2023)

Strengths:

-Intangibles

-Powerful arm, an accurate deep ball

-A threat as a runner 

Weaknesses:

-Pocket game needs improvement 

-Lacks touch on some throws

-Inconsistent

-Turnover prone in the red zone

-Relies too much on his legs

Final Analysis:

One of the traits that stand out to me about Jalen is his resiliency. When he was benched the season before last, he could've easily complained or did something low brow, but he dealt with it admirably, and became a starter again the following week and didn't look back.

He's not easily rattled and will persevere and rally the team when they fall behind, whether it was comebacks or near comebacks.

He has a rocket arm and a deep ball that's pretty and accurate. He's capable of producing explosive plays as a runner.

While he's usually accurate with his deep ball, his overall pocket game needs work. To his credit, he improved compared to his previous years, but it's still an area of improvement such as his accuracy on intermediate throws, and his decision making isn't always the best.

During the first half of last season, he looked like a potential Heisman candidate, but in the second half, he looked like the erratic Jalen Milroe from previous years.

While he has made plays in the red zone, he has turned the ball over in that area seemingly just as much.

Although he's not projected to go in the first round, with his physical tools, I can see why some teams would be tempted to pick him early--maybe in the second or third round--based off his potential, but I see him as a draft-and-develop prospect, versus someone you can start right away.

Wherever he goes, I think he's better off sitting and learning for a year, getting some spot duty here and there. Overall, with time, I think he can thrive in the right offense.

Case File No. 38: Athena

 

Photo Credit: wrestlinginc.com.

Today, I open the case file of All Elite Wrestling/Ring of Honor's Athena. The current ROH Women's Champion, she has the longest reign with the title, and I can see why.

HT: 5-2

Promotion: AEW/ROH 

Credentials:

ROH Women's Champion (current)

Strengths:

-Versatile in wrestling skills and as a performer overall 

-Good on the mic/cutting promos

-Strong for a wrestler her size

Weaknesses:

-Diminutive size 

-Will underestimate her opponent sometimes 

Final Analysis:

Athena is a great performer who can wrestle in any kind of match. 

Although her main style seems to be brawling, she will use submission and high-risk styles as well. She also has good strength for a wrestler her size. She's good on the mic and at cutting promos. She knows how to get a reaction out of people with her vicious tactics and unpredictable antics.

Bigger wrestlers can overpower her because of her diminutive size. Underestimating her opponents gets her trouble at times. Although she usually wins, this is something that could hurt her in the long run.

Athena is a total package of wrestling and mic skills. Personally, I think she's underrated. She doesn't get the credit or recognition of a Naomi or Mercedes Moné, but I like her better than both. I like her better than most female wrestlers nowadays.

She's the current ROH Women's Champion, currently with the longest title reign--she has had the title for nearly two years--and I understand why. She deserves it. Right now, it's too early to determine, but at the rate she's going, and if the creative team continues to cultivate her character, the "Fallen Goddess" could very well be mentioned among the best female wrestlers of all-time.

Case File No. 37: Cooper Flagg

 

Cooper Flagg. Photo Credit: Gregory Payan/AP.

Today, I open the case file of Cooper Flagg, a five-star recruit who has committed to Duke. He led his high school to their eighth national title, and was ranked the third best prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.

Position: Small forward 

HT: 6-9 WT: 205

College: Duke 

Class: Freshman 

Credentials:

National High School Player of the Year (2024)

Strengths:

-Can shoot on all levels 

-Can score in multiple ways 

-Good ball handler 

-Absorbs contact and finishes when attacking the basket 

-Able to maintain his dribble through traffic and when defenders get into his body 

-Runs the floor 

-Very good shot blocker

Weaknesses:

-Thin frame 

-Dribble looks languid at times 

Final Analysis:

Cooper looks the part of a Top Three recruit. There wasn't much I saw that I didn't like. He can shoot on all levels: off the dribble, spotting up, pull-ups, and coming off screens/picks.

He can create his own shot, usually using jab steps to create separation. He's able to absorb contact and finish when attacking the basket.

Very good ball handler, he's able to maintain his dribble through traffic and make plays. Although he looks to score most of the time, he is a capable passer with good vision and timing.

An aggressive shot blocker, quite often I saw him rotating to block shots or chase down blocks. 

Like most shot blockers, he tends to fall for pump fakes and head fakes. He has a thin frame, and while this might not be much of an issue in college, players will look to overpower or bully ball him at the next level.

His dribble looks sluggish and lazy at times, as if he's just going through the motions. That he needs to be mindful of because occasionally falling asleep, so to speak, can get him trouble at the next level where there are more aggressive defenders.

Considered to be one of the top prospects for next year's NBA draft, with his length, versatility, and being able to score at a high level consistently, I wouldn't be surprised if he's a one-and-done player after this upcoming season.