Prospects to Watch For: Romeo Bulldogs

As we inch closer to the 2022 season, I’ll be doing more and more inside looks at some of Michigan’s top programs &amp; their most intriguing prospects. Today’s article centers around the Romeo Bulldogs, a team that finished the 2021 season with a 9-2 record and a birth in the second round of the Michigan state playoffs. Romeo brings back a bulk of their roster and has a few players that I believe could have huge 2022 campaigns, including senior athlete Santino Palazzolo, senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="275079" first="Anthony" last="Lomakoski"], and junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="248789" first="Victor" last="Earl"]. Overall, this is an extremely well-coached squad that plays a fundamentally sound brand of football. I think they’ll yet again be playoff contenders and will send a strong drove of prospects on to the next level. <hr /> <em><strong>ATH: Santino Palazzolo, 5’11" 175, Romeo</strong></em> An elusive prospect with plenty of potential at wide receiver and running back. Santino shows elite vision to go with steady balance. He’s lightning-quick, has strong hands through contact, and efficient change of direction. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13223395/61742705d45fee0bdcbfdc9f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id="248789" first="Victor" last="Earl"], 6’2" 195, JR</strong></em> A physical roamer with outstanding lateral quickness &amp; burst. Earl plays a downhill brand of football and has the body control to make plays in space. He has a great first step and filthy closing speed on ball carriers. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15014534/6186add56898e50be02baf40" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>QB: Jayden Roberson, 6’3" 205, SR</strong></em> A good-sized quarterback prospect with plus athleticism and impressive vertical ball touch. Roberson is at his best outside the pocket and keeps his eyes downfield searching for a target to throw to. He plays an aggressive brand of football and has balanced footwork inside the pocket. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13223430/616eff390dbfcd090055c9ed" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id="275079" first="Anthony" last="Lomakoski"], 6" 225, SR</strong></em> An instinctive inside linebacker that will bait quarterbacks into making poor throws. He has grappling hooks for hands and shows off-the-charts play strength. He takes great angles to the ball, can stand up backs in the hole, and is as tough as they come on film. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13223423/618920789a9c4d09487b250f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>DE: Mark Goedge, 6’3" 235, SR</strong></em> A sporty defensive line prospect with good size and violent hands. Goedge plays with a low pad level and has a non-stop motor on go. He’s just as effective against the run as he is against the pass and does a good job getting his hands up if he can’t get to the quarterback. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13223502/628450a92aa65a08fc9aa84f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>OL: [player_tooltip player_id="275450" first="Nathan" last="Joseph"], 6’2" 255, SR</strong></em> A powerful striker that plays with outstanding leverage. Once he gets going, Joseph’s knee drive is spot on and can help cause major vertical displacement on down linemen. As a pass protector, he’s quite agile and consistently wins with his feet first. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13221770/618a6e9ab53f1809346a7313" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>OL: Dominic Gojcaj, 6’ 235, SR</strong></em> What he lacks in vertical stature, Dominic more than makes up for with aggression and grit. On tape, he plays with excellent hand placement and shows an athletic lower half. This young man has a heavy inside hand and displayed terrific lateral movement skills. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13221783/616efdb7664b6b0a20cc0050" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>ATH: Kahlil McLeod, 5’10" 160, SR</strong></em> A jitterbug-type slot receiver, who can create chunk plays off quick game concepts. Kahlil has sticky hands, good top-end speed, and can make defenders miss in a phone booth. On the defensive side, he plays extremely physical and has fantastic leaping ability to attack the football. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13223532/617775c35eec5708e84d8985" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>