Prospect Film Breakdown: Greater Monterey Area

Photo: Nyziah Hunter Hudl

Paul Gregorian April 30, 2022 @ 01:01 PM

This smaller region of Northern California is year in and year out very under-recruited across all college levels. In the 2023 and 2024 class however, there are some special players that will end up playing big time college football. Below, we will breakdown some of the top players across the central coast and preview what is to come for them in the Fall. <hr />   WR [player_tooltip player_id="261745" first="Nyziah" last="Hunter"], Salinas HS Hunter is a true burner on the outside and should get a shot at his first power five offer sooner rather than later. Off the ball, he is explosive and can stretch the field vertically on one or two high while able to catch underneath and cut it upfield while showing nice third level speed. He has strong hands in traffic especially in the red-zone and does a nice job at boxing out defenders and attacking the ball at the highest point. For someone with his length, range and long speed with the ability to be a true outside receiver, it is only a matter of time until a power five school offers.   WR [player_tooltip player_id="273677" first="Logan" last="Saldate"], Palma HS Saldate just picked up a huge offer from Cal and is one of the top recruits across all of Northern California, regardless of class. Operating out of the slot and the outside, he can play anywhere on the field and is effective in the screen game/underneath routes with the speed to break away in space. With the ball in his hands, he is a strong runner, tough to bring down and sets up his routes nicely while getting in the corners blind spot downfield and showing good body control when making contested catches.   RB/LB Adam Shaffer, Salinas HS Shaffer is one of the top two-way players in the CCS and should only continue to build off a strong 2021 campaign. On tape, he is a downhill thumper in the run game while athletic enough to bounce it outside if needed and does a nice job at waiting for his blocks to develop before hitting the crease with a nice burst. On defense, he is instinctual from his linebacker position, a strong tackler and takes good angles in the open field. He should see D-III+ interest come his way as he progresses through his Senior season.   QB Noah Gonzales, Salinas HS Gonzales is a very efficient quarterback that delivers a pretty ball downfield and can throw while on the run and across his body. He is a smart kid that works through his progressions while understanding looking off defenders and can put nice touch on downfield throws, especially in tight windows. The 2023 prospect is going to be one of the top quarterbacks to watch across the CCS in 2022 and should have some good weapons surrounding him.   IOL Roland Foliaki, Seaside HS The 2023 prospect is a massive interior player that excels when blocking in tight windows and is dominant in the vertical run game. Off the ball, he can shoot out of his stance with good leverage and a heavy punch while able to drive his legs through out the block and finish first level defenders downfield. Patient in pass protection, he can move well laterally for his size and relies on his strength and power at the POA to maul defenders backwards. He plays with good violence and aggression while able to sustain blocks and shows a wide strong base on base blocks.   Others To Watch... Juan Carlos Escutia, Palma HS Jeter Oliveras, Seaside HS Damion Gonzales, Alisal HS