Chris’s Corner: Juniors to Know About

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, we will look at a Dallas-area pass rusher who needs to be on your board, a sleeper edge out west who is looking to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with, and a stud quarterback who is getting some national attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='934956' first='Maruio' last='White'] – 6'3″ 205 / Mansfield Summit HS — @MaruioW</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White is a relentless pass rusher who specializes in getting after quarterbacks. His lightning quick first step and active hands make him difficult for offensive tackles to control. Against the run, is quite physical at the point of attack and does a great job of setting the edge, keeping contain on outside runs. Above average when it comes to taking on and shedding blocks, allowing him to make plays in the backfield. All signs point to a big junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently has no offers, but interest is starting to build.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15317419/61b8fd97f31c8a06fc7fc740">[player_tooltip player_id='934956' first='Maruio' last='White'] Sophomore Season - Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>EDGE John Rojas – 6'2″ 235 / El Paso Parkland HS — @JohnRojas915</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 7 QB hurries and 3 sacks a season ago, Rojas is quietly making a name for himself out in far west Texas. He possesses a motor that never stops and a tenacity on the edge that is quite impressive. What stands out about him the most on film is his sideline-to-sideline speed and outstanding determination when pursuing from the backside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently has no offers, but made the camp rounds this summer. Look for a stellar junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14559378/61a1d972bee1200af837eb61">John Rojas Sophomore Season - Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>QB Ayden Barrett – 6'3″ 180&nbsp;/ Bullard HS — @AydenBarrett7</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a cannon for an arm and impeccable timing, Barrett should see his first offer at some point during his junior season. Looks very impressive when throwing timing routes, and when throwing over the middle. If the Panthers are to bounce back from a disappointing 0-10 campaign a year ago, the talented underclassman will be the one leading the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has some FBS interest, but no offers yet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14716870/619ac24dda50fb017c7aebc2">Ayden Barrett Sophomore Season - Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>DT Noah Medina – 6'2″ 270 / El Paso Eastwood HS — @NoahMedina2024</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An unstoppable force in the middle of the Troopers' defensive line, Medina is a bona fide playmaker in the trenches. He's able to beat double-teams and get into the backfield on a regular basis, and has a stellar ability to beat opposing guards to his gap and stuff a play for no gain. Quite the technician, he will consistently win with inside hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently has no offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14946081/61d673fe8cde700a6cc42267">Noah Medina Sophomore Season - Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>QB Evan Minjarez – 6'1″ 200&nbsp;/ El Paso Eastwood HS — @MinjarezEvan</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Troopers want to make a deep playoff run in 2022, they have the right guy at the helm in Minjarez. Equipped with solid arm strength, impressive mobility, and top-notch accuracy, he should turn some heads out west as a junior. On tape, he shows an ability to throw his receivers open on deep routes, and also get the ball out quickly to the flat. Fantastic option for a small program looking for a quarterback who can develop into a quality starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has one NAIA offer from Oklahoma Panhandle State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15183909/629130f89a9c1f0ed0fab117">Evan Minjarez Spring Ball 2022 - Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->