Break Out Candidates

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Three months into the year and we’re already back on the field! I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to go to many football games/camps this past season and I got a great look at a lot of young talent. There are players who have already arrived and players with the potential to be truly great. Throughout all these contests, I’ve noticed a couple of athletes that I believe will make a big impact for their teams this upcoming season! Here are </span><span class="s2">Tee’s Break Out Candidates:</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="119241" first="Brad" last="Jackson"] I 2024 | 5’11 |<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>QB</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">I’ll start off with the most important position on the field, the quarterback. I first noticed Jackson at the Prep Redzone Houston Showcase. 1 on 1 drills are difficult for everyone on the field: the QB and WR do not have chemistry and timing on routes and the DB does not have safety or LB help on certain routes. Jackson had the best mechanics of all the QBs there! Even though he was unfamiliar with the receivers, his anticipation on each route was impressive. His release of the football was quick and he was accurate on almost EVERY throw. Jackson was even named Prep Redzone Houston Top Performer. Congratulations to Jackson and I’m excited to watch his game improve moving forward!</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Wayne Rhodes | 2023 | 5’10” | DB</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Right off the back the first thing that stands out is Rhodes’ speed. The kid can </span><span class="s2">run</span><span class="s1">! I loved his physicality, getting his hands on the WR every chance he got! Though a great athlete (and only a junior) Rhodes relies on his athleticism a tad </span><span class="s2">too</span><span class="s1"> much. That’s a very coachable correction. If/when he gets his technique down, he will be very dangerous. He did a solid job playing outside and in the slot and did not back down from a challenge. Rhodes has all the tools to turn heads this upcoming season. I’ll definitely be keeping tabs on his progression.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="276067" first="Zac" last="Cole"] | 2024 | 5’9” | DB</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s2">Man, </span><span class="s1">whoever is training Cole needs a raise immediately! His footwork is great, being able to play press and off coverage. There are a couple of players, when you watch them play, you know quickly that he is/should be a safety. And in no way, shape or form is that a bad thing, but with Cole, I couldn’t pinpoint a specific DB position. That’s how well he moved around the field without pads on. Down in the redzone, he did not allow a touchdown and the one catch I saw him give up, went for only 3 yards! ONLY A SOPHOMORE (as of the time of this post), Cole will </span><span class="s2">only</span><span class="s1"> improve. I would like to see his natural speed improve, but his awareness of the route development, physicality, and footwork made him a lockdown DB. I’m very intrigued with his growth. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">At the end of the day, football is football. </span><span class="s1">Some players need time to grow, whether it be playing experience, time in the weight room, etc. All I’m saying is remember these players’ names, I believe really good things are coming from these young men this season!</span></p>