Power 5 Talent in New York

Summer camps and showcases have concluded and college offers are starting to pile up. New York remains under recruited although no shortage of talent. Players often reclassify and attend Prep schools in order to develop more as student athletes. In this series I will highlight some programs in Power 5 conferences who are giving New York athletes an opportunity at the next level and changing the narrative and landscape of football in the Empire State. &nbsp; <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Penn State</strong></span></p> After visiting the campus in Happy Valley in June for one of their 3 football camps, I was impressed with Franklin and his staff’s hospitality to prospects and participants. I caught up with [player_tooltip player_id="232917" first="Tyriq" last="Blanding"] of Christ the King to ask him if he could see himself in this type of place and he responded, "Yea its special here and not too far from home" we went on to discuss some more positives and things that he liked in comparison to other schools. A few days later he made his commitment to Penn State. &nbsp; <strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(TE) Andrew Rappleyea Milton Academy 2023</span></strong> Andrew stands just above 6’4 and weighs 215 pounds. He is a strong and tough competitor with elite athleticism. He has a 39 inch vertical to go along with his 4.6 speed. He is a versatile at receiver, able to sell the block for seem routes and can line up outside as a true receiver to stretch the field in any manner on long balls. He also has very dependable hands. The star basketball player had a very productive junior year with 475 yards of offense, 21 receptions and 4 scores. He recently made his commitment to Penn State after de-committing from Michigan. "I have come to realize that my heart is at Penn State" Andrew said in his twitter post. He went on to explain how excited he was to play four hours away from home and how the coaching staff impacted him. Another win for Franklin’s program. &nbsp; <strong> [player_tooltip player_id="241127" first="Josiah" last="Brown"] Holy Trinty HS 2024</strong> Josiah is a track star who is on the radar of nearly every school in the northeast. He is 6’1 175 pounds with elite play making ability. In his sophomore year, he racked up 336 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns showing his ability to use his speed and agility as a ball carrier in space. He is strong and tough to break through tackles keeping his feet moving through contact. Most plays seemed to be designed for Josiah and for good reason. He has very reliable hands and can consistently find the open field. He is utilized as a great return man also on special teams. Josiah is definitely power 5 talent and with an offer from Penn State he just may continue a new lineage for Franklin’s program for New York athletes. But he also has an offer from Notre Dame. &nbsp; <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Notre Dame</span></strong></p> It has been two years since the Irish offered a New York athlete and six years since one has committed. Marcus Freeman’s program currently sits atop the 2023 recruiting rankings and this year and his staff has eyes on two of our athletes so far. [player_tooltip player_id="241127" first="Josiah" last="Brown"] gained his attention and the other is <strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id="241135" first="Shamir" last="Fredericks"], Canarsie HS 2024</strong> He is 6’4 and weighs just over 170 pounds. He has great recognition of run and pass plays and can react quickly to wherever the ball is or going. He is reliable and can be left alone in man but also plays really well using his range as free safety. Shamir uses his length well to get his active hands on receivers to disrupt routes and can consistently deflect passes. He shows sound fundamentals in his game and has a high ceiling for the next level. &nbsp; <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Rutgers </strong></span></p> Coach Schiano is in his second tenure as RU head coach after leading the school to its best seasons in the early 2000s with names such as Ray Rice and Mike Teel. His experience in the NFL and at Ohio State gives the program a new edge and sense of urgency as they consistently look deep into New York’s Talent pool to compete in the big 12. &nbsp; <strong>(DL) [player_tooltip player_id="241147" first="Caden" last="Brown"] Erasmus Hall 2024</strong> Caden stands 6’4 and weighs just over 210. He moves extremely fast off the line with violent hands and agile feet. Caden often gets into the backfield without being touched due to his speed. He has good active hands and instincts to bat balls at the LOS. He is also a very good tackler in space launching his hips through and wrapping his long arms around his defender. Caden is next level talent and will be great defensive end for any D-1 program. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>(WR) Deondre Johnson, Newburgh Free Academy 2023</strong></span> At 6’8, 197 pounds, Deondre is easily the tallest on the field but it is rare that a guy this size moves as fast and efficient as he does. The star basketball and lacrosse player gives great effort on every play. He is physical and a very good blocker. He is a big target for any QB, but his route running and speed are what gets him open.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> Deondre can line up out wide but I also believe he could play TE at the next level. His one and only offer is from Rutgers and this speaks volumes to their ability and will to look for talent in the state. He has committed to being a Scarlet Knight. Look for him to go out with a bang for his senior season this fall.</span> &nbsp; <strong>(OL)(DT) Colin Cubberly Arlington HS 2024</strong> Colin is 6’6 and weighs 290 pounds and moves really well in space. He is great in pass protection and opens up the run game for his team often being pulled across the line to lead the way for the rushing attack. He can consistently displace his man at the LOS and get to the second level quickly if needed. Colin has good explosion and as he gains strength this summer we hope to see him anchor his lower body more and continue his dominance on the line. &nbsp; <strong>(CB) [player_tooltip player_id="229895" first="Tayvon" last="Nelson"] Canarsie HS 2024</strong> Tayvon has interest from schools in all 5 major conferences and rightfully so. From Utah, Arizona, Tennessee, Miami, to Rutgers and Syracuse Tayvon can make an immediate impact to the program of his choice. At 6’2 190 pounds, the two sport athlete (basketball) is a ball hawk with great football IQ. He has above average speed and acceleration to break on balls and sprint down the sideline for scores. He does really well in off man coverage and can dominate at free or strong safety. He has great length and can be trusted to make tackles in space. Tayvon dominates at this level in New York and shows a high ceiling of talent. He will be exciting to watch at the next level. He has warm interests in Big 10 and Big 12 schools Rutgers, Maryland and West Virginia. Lookout for his announcement July 23rd. &nbsp; &nbsp;