2021 Rankings Newcomers: ATH

With the release of the final 2021 Player Rankings, we’ve launched a series of evaluations on the newcomers to the rankings based on position. We added over 50 players to the most recent update highlighting players that popped during the 2020 season and have seen their recruiting on the rise. Here’s an in-depth look at the new ATH’s to the rankings. <strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-69961 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/IMG_4934-rotated-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="93171" first="Ben" last="Tobin"], QB/DB, 6’0” 190 lbs., Scottsdale Christian</strong> One of the most dominant players in 2A this past year. He’s a natural football player in the sense he has good instincts and is able to be an effective playmaker at multiple positions. He’s a plus athlete with speed, quickness, and lateral agility. He’s electric with the ball in his hands using his speed and acceleration to elude defenders in the open field. Also a strong cover corner that can play both press man or off coverage with his fluid hips and good change of direction. Plays tough and physical on both sides of the ball. Still uncommitted, his recruiting has picked up with offers from Chadron State, Ottawa, and Arizona Christian. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93178" first="Terren" last="Green"], RB/LB ,5’11” 180 lbs., Snowflake</strong> Strong player on both sides of the ball that had over 1,000 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns on offense and was one of the leading tacklers in the state with 120. From his LB position he does a great job shedding blockers, scraping down the line, and making strong form tackles. As a ball carrier, he’s a down hill bruising back but flashes a quick lateral jump cut to make defenders miss in space. Plays with good pad level and leverage on both sides of the ball and displays his natural power at the contact point. He was a two-way impact player that helped lead his team to a 3A State Championship. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93258" first="Parker" last="Pelletier"], DB/WR, 5’11” 185 lbs., Salpointe Catholic</strong> Versatile prospect that exceled at the safety spot all year. Plays well with his eyes and shows good instincts/anticipation to make quick decisive reads. In coverage, he’s rangy and shows the ability to cover a lot of ground in zone or come down in the box and play man against a slot receiver. He has good ball skills and timing to make clean and effective PBU’s. Shows no fear in run support, comes down hill with speed closing space quickly and not shying away from contact at the POA. He has a good amount of offers to his name including Western New Mexico, Chadron State, Culver-Stockton, and several more D3/NAIAs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93281" first="Liam" last="Phelan"], LB/RB, 6’1” 205 lbs., St. Mary’s</strong> Another strong two-way player that rushed for over 1,000 yards and racked up almost 100 tackles during the 2020 season. He’s a gritty player that has a fast, physical, and tough style of play. He’s a high effort guy that has a nose for the ball and is relentless in pursuit on defense. Constantly shows he can chase down ball carriers to either side of the field and be a violent tackler both in the open field and in the box. On offense, he’s a power back that consistently drives his legs through contact making him tough to bring down 1v1. Great ability to get north/south and pick up tough yardage by overpowering opponents. Despite a strong season carrying the ball, he projects as a LB at the college level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93285" first="Jayk" last="Kelton"], RB/LB, 5’10” 170 lbs., Mogollon</strong> The 1A Player of the Year dominated the 8-man conference throughout the season. He’s the ironman for the state champion Mogollon team that rolled through their season undefeated. He’s a plus athlete that shows good initial burst and acceleration through the hole and in space. He runs with good leverage and balance that allows him to break tackles and run through contact maintaining his speed and forward momentum. Shows good top end speed to cap off long gains in the endzone.