2022 Season Preview: Avon Old Farms Beavers

We begin with top 25 prospect Christian Lebrun Christian Lebrun 6'1" | 190 lbs | ATH Avon Old Farms | 2023 State New E . Lebrun’s pure football instincts are incredible to watch from any one of the numerous positions he flourishes in. A dominant defender that can be trusted to play the pass and the run from his outside or slot corner spot, his inside-the-box safety position, or his linebacker spot. One of the more versatile prospects in the entire Northeast region of the country. Lebrun plays with energy and tenacity that sets the tone early. He can provide real play-recognition ability, proving he can lay the wood or flash ball skills if need be. Big-time prospect that has already committed to Massachusetts.

Next, we have standout wide receiver and UConn commit Jackson Harper Jackson Harper 6'2" | 195 lbs | WR Avon Old Farms | 2023 State New E . Harper reeled in 40+ catches last Fall for eight scores. Numbers that I could see spike in the right direction with Puglisi throwing the rock. Mind you, this production was through seven games. His stature immediately jumps off the screen. Chiseled build that stands at 6’2, but the best part of his frame is that it can move in the open field. I don’t always come across wideouts this polished and smooth coming off of his junior year. Everything Harper does on the field is with purpose. He shows an understanding of how to manipulate defensive backs, he has a great understanding of leverage that helps in this area. His YAC-ability is surprising considering his size. Harper provides a smooth blend of toughness and elusiveness, defensive backs are left guessing if he will run past you or through you. Two awesome pieces to the puzzle on both sides of the football.

What a foundation to have as interior occupants. The two stars on both sides of the football are enough to drive opposing game planners mad. Now add three senior linemen that all rank inside the top 50. The AOF roster is unfair. As a Pennsylvania scout, I am not accustomed to seeing pass protection this proficient. Speaking of left tackle Will Prince Will Prince 6'5" | OL Avon Old Farms | 2023 State New E , the young man is also tasked with acting as the pulling tackle, showing off to FBS programs that he is capable of moving well in space. Prince lands on the athletic end of the tackle spectrum, standing at 6’5, 260 pounds.

Around the edge is another phenom that can light up any combine he attends. Eric Lindstrom Eric Lindstrom 6'4" | 215 lbs | DL Avon Old Farms | 2023 State New E , who very well could serve as a starting tight end at the next level, acts as AOF’s primary pass rusher. Rushing the passer is this kid’s strong suit, don’t let his overwhelming athleticism fool you. Pursuit to the ball carrier after shedding is elite. The kid can make up so much ground. While still a bit raw from a repertoire standpoint, Lindstrom makes up for it with his aggressive and punishing nature. I would love to know more about his pass-rush capabilities with his hand off the dirt. He has been actively recruited by the likes of Maine, Army WP, Columbia, Long Island University, and New Hampshire to name a few.

Can’t forget Kevin Nizolek Kevin Nizolek 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Avon Old Farms | 2023 State New E who recently committed to Fordham University. Not fair having these two screaming off the edge together. Lindstrom and Nizolek share similar builds and styles, yet Nizolek has a little of that “hair-on-fire” style of play to his name. He’s so fast down the line of scrimmage. He plays to the whistle and has a hell of a motor to go with his attitude. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a move to OLB or even Safety at the next level, a testament to his versatility. Would be a coach’s dream to have Lindstrom and Nizolek along the same defensive lines.

The sixth and final top 50 prospect is icing on the cake. Formerly out of Darien High School, Avon Old Farms received word of Christian Alliegro Christian Alliegro 6'4" | 220 lbs | LB Avon Old Farms | 2023 State New E ‘s transfer early this past March. Alliegro fits the mold perfectly, acting as yet another giant specimen that can provide quality reps in both the secondary and the front seven. The highly sought-after Alliegro has recently seen offers come out of Rutgers, UConn, and Minnesota, all within the last month. Alliegro’s run-stopping prowess helps alleviate pressure off of both the edge rushers and the back-end DBs. Everyone can trust that Alliegro will fly to the football, this makes it easier for everyone else to work. Alliegro’s no slouch against the pass either, his tape flashes some serious awareness and ball skills when targeted.

Here’s another post-graduate piece to the puzzle. Formerly out of Xaverian Brothers and Milton Academy, Luke Thorbahn Luke Thorbahn 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Avon Old Farms | 2023 State New E will now tote the rock for AOF. Since reclassifying to the class of 2023, Thorbahn has received his first Division One offer out of Dayton in Ohio. His decision looks to have already paid off, wait until the back takes the field behind this offensive line. Should be fun to watch.

Every Championship title contenders need their role players. If talents like Shames, Rosenbaum, and Brighenti are the role players in this program, you can definitively say they are ready for another title run. All three prospects are sure-fire D2 kids in Pennsylvania. A look at the size, skillset, and grades these kids boast, they’d be no-brainers to bring into PSAC schools down in PA. In New England, standout center Ethan Shames Ethan Shames 6'3" | OL Avon Old Farms | 2023 State New E has already heard from Wesleyan and Amherst College. We all know how crucial the center position is, handling communication just as much as a quarterback does.

Rosenbaum and Brighenti will each have the opportunity to make game-changing plays behind some of the elite talent deployed in this defense. Both players must be ready at all times to step up and make the play that their program needs them to make.

Deciding between Loomis Chaffee standout Jerod Smith and AOF Quarterback Ryan Puglisi Ryan Puglisi 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Avon Old Farms | 2024 State New E was admittedly one of the harder decisions I had to make in my early career ranking high school prospects. Deciding between the two is honestly splitting hairs, next week I could change my mind on who the top 2024 prospect should be.

Ranking aside, Ryan Puglisi Ryan Puglisi 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Avon Old Farms | 2024 State New E is the best quarterback prospect I have covered in my career not named Kyle McCord and that’s saying something. The absolute complete package behind center. Puglisi’s sophomore tape displays a little of everything. The first thing that flies off the screen is his attention to detail on all things pre-throw. His footwork throughout his drop back is efficient, with hardly any false steps, hardly any unnecessary hitches. His feet match his eyes, an advanced trait that I don’t see from many. His delivery is sharp and to the point, not too much room to critique this area of his game which is a huge plus. He’s so far along without even throwing a pass, the rest comes smoothly. Ridiculous downfield accuracy, equally as ridiculous is his depth perception. Puglisi can work every area of the field, every route in the tree as well. Puglisi is seen moving safeties to his liking, a seriously advanced trait that I haven’t seen done at a consistent rate since, again, Kyle McCord. Puglisi’s abilities on the ground should not be disregarded because of how proficient he is as a passer. At the very least, Puglisi can beat opponents at the high school level with his legs alone, both throwing on the run with accuracy, throwing off-platform, moving the launch point deliberately or because of pressure or even taking off for scores. There might not be a more complete quarterback in the entire Northeast region of the country.

KeShawn Adams KeShawn Adams 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Avon Old Farms | 2024 State New E shares similarities with Chrisitan Lebrun in the secondary. KeShawn Adams KeShawn Adams 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Avon Old Farms | 2024 State New E might lean towards the more natural defensive back, whereas Lebrun can certainly provide pass coverage reps, I think of him more as the tone setter of the defense. KeShawn Adams KeShawn Adams 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Avon Old Farms | 2024 State New E , the third-ranked defensive back in his class, boasts great field awareness, often taking his side of the field and covering multiple routes at once. The young man is also proficient in staying in phase with potential targets, using both his feet to keep up, as well as his body to remain physical throughout the stem of opponents’ routes. Watching his tape, I can’t help but trust him in man coverage, based solely on his technique and physicality alone. Fun player to watch, currently holding offers out of Duke, Temple, Campbell, and Buffalo to name a few.

Can’t forget about special teams! Some say your program is as good as your kicker. This can hold some weight, especially in the high school scene. You’d have trouble finding a better kicker than Ryan Honryak, who recently ranked as a 5-star kicker by KohlsKicking. PATs, touchbacks, and 40-yard field goals are all achievable with Hornyak’s leg.

Before the rankings dropped, I initially had trouble finding tape out of Aliciene and Della Valle. Watching fresh tape out of AOF this Fall will more than likely land these two onto our ranks this November. I find it hard to believe that a 6’6 defensive linemen can’t contribute in some way this Fall, the program is loaded so time will tell.

The same can be said for Jack Hines Jack Hines 6'7" | 280 lbs | OL Avon Old Farms | 2024 State New E . Taking a look at his tape after the rankings were released, he would easily rank amongst the top five or ten at his position. He’s an animal at left tackle that showed real balance and flexibility on the move. You always want your linemen to be tough and hard-nosed, Jack Hines Jack Hines 6'7" | 280 lbs | OL Avon Old Farms | 2024 State New E is that and some. His rank will come.