Standout Performers: Coach Parham’s “The Trenches” OL/DL Showcase
I had the pleasure of attending Coach James Parham’s OL/DL showcase this past weekend at Allentown’s Lou Ramos Center, which hosted just under 30 local talented prospects. Coach Parham is currently the offensive line coach at Bethlehem Catholic, a school that is absolutely breeding talent in the trenches. Add Beca HS’s Justin Kanyuk Justin Kanyuk 6'7" | 290 lbs | OL Bethlehem Catholic | 2022 State PA to his extensive track record.
The showcase provided a great outlook on just how athletic, aggressive, and technically sound each prospect was coming in. Many of the prospects in attendance were underclassmen, displaying vast areas for improvement in technique, as well as vast areas for growth within their build. Nonetheless, it’s always great to see prospects using the offseason to get better, which is what each of these kids achieved on Saturday. All of this being said, some prospects caught my eye, as well as college coaches in attendance, as rankable talent. I’ll break down what I saw from each below.
Sammy Ayache | OT, EDGE | Bethlehem Catholic | 2024
Ayache was pointed out to me prior to the event’s start by Coach Parham as someone to look out for. Ayache proceeded to show me that he was the best overall prospect at this event and that he needs to be on the state-wide radar. We can do that for him. Consistency in everything. College coaches, all coaches at every level, love them some consistency. What you see physically is what you get. Awesome size for an underclassmen. A frame that coaches will drool over. He isn’t just a big kid with an early growth spurt, he’s got real D1-level talent. Great balance, great feet, explodes out of his stance while delivering a serious initial punch. I can already see Ayache being the next big-time prospect, developed by Coach Parham, along Bethlehem Catholic’s offensive line. Guarantee that this time next year, his frame will be filled out and ready for whatever a defense gives him.
Brayden Curry | G | Freedom | 2024
If I had to choose a top three out of this group, Curry would be in it. Can’t believe this young man is just a sophomore. He looks it in stature, nothing to scream about height/weight-wise. He and Martinez have similar builds that suit them well when working in the interior. Quick hands and feet, the kid is a flash off the ball. The favorite thing about Curry is the willingness to play both ways at the event. He held his ground on each side of the ball. Love his ability on offense, he’s small but has some power underneath him. A little bit of an attitude to go along with his powerful lower body. Would love him as my guard, especially as a sophomore.
Matthew Martinez | NG | Executive | 2023
Not much else you need to know about Martinez, other than I don’t think I saw him lose a rep at this showcase. He made a serious and lasting impression on me and others in attendance. Dominant showing out of the junior interior defensive lineman. Absurd get-off, great and I mean great hand fighting moves. He displayed multiple ways to beat his opponent out of different stances and lining up on either gap. He was on a mission and ended the showcase with multiple coaches waiting to speak with him. Would love to have this kid at our camps. He’ll see a ranking from us in no time.
Cavin King | EDGE | Executive | 2023
Two prospects stood out physically. Freshman Daunte Morrison and Junior out of Executive Cavin King. The young man has a prototypical pass-rusher build. Above-average height, lean with plenty of muscle, and twitchy. He showed off athleticism in testing. Was crisp ima be out of drills. Talking to other college coaches in attendance, these traits caught their eye as well. We anticipated seeing him match up against competition during 1-on-1s. He held his own but didn’t win as many reps as I figured he would, highlighting how raw this young man is. He held his own without too much of a counter move or wide range of initial PR moves. You still had to respect his speed and he still drove his matchup deep into pockets. There’s something to be unlocked in King.
Julius Vasquez | LT/NG | Liberty | 2024
Here’s a player who didn’t necessarily stand out in individuals or in testing per se. He showed off his skill set during 1-on-1’s however, arguably where it matters most. Indi’s and testing may have painted Vasquez as stiff and non-fluid but he was much more nimble and natural in his kick-slide up against a pass rush. Calm and collected demeanor. Focused on the little things from the coaching staff. Seemed receptive to coaching. These are the things I look for in underclassmen. I liked his overall hand usage and hope he continues to work on his athleticism, it could propel him to another level.
Daunte Morrison | EDGE | Liberty | 2025
The only freshman to make the piece and looking at his physique, you wouldn’t necessarily think he’s a freshman. I don’t have measurables for kids, but Morrison may have been the tallest of the group. His height-weight combination looks very moldable. Looks like a basketball player. He went through individuals smoothly despite some stiffness when moving laterally. He has a ton to work on but I can see the promise in his game. Good first step off the ball during one on ones. He’s going to rely on speed for now but with further development and coaching, I could see his repertoire broaden down the line. For sure a 2025 kid I’ll keep my eye on.