2022 Season Preview: The Taft School Big Red

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd0ee087028","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["366077"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd0ef187029","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386959"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Two actual behemoths are stationed at the end of the Taft offensive line. I'm not exaggerating. Starting off with elite left tackle prospect [player_tooltip player_id='366077' first='Charlie' last='Symonds'], who recently announced him commitment to North Carolina State. Symonds' film is one of the easier tapes to break down. My Mother could watch his tape and know that he is an absolute force at tackle for Taft. 6'8, 300 pounds, which is apparently up 20 pounds from his playing weight last Fall. Symonds acts as the highest-ranked prospect at the program, his play will be crucial to the team's overall success. Punishing and violent in run-blocking, balanced and springy in pass-protection.rnrnSymonds is your center, where [player_tooltip player_id='386959' first='Addison' last='Hoffman'] is more of your starting power forward. Hoffman, who stands at 6'7, is substantially lighter than Symonds, weighing in at 265 pounds. The lighter build allows him to produce at edge rusher where he can show off some of his incredible athleticism. His pursuit to the football is outstanding. I honestly think the young man could produce at tight end if need be. Much leaner build allows for a completely different role opposing [player_tooltip player_id='366077' first='Charlie' last='Symonds']. The towering duo are two awesome building blocks the team can work around.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CharlieSymonds4/status/1534927097818382338?s=20u0026t=3gaGHzNxG7-P26NV9-ZdTQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CharlieSymonds4/status/1534927097818382338?s=20&amp;t=3gaGHzNxG7-P26NV9-ZdTQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd0efe8702a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386956"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Next, add a post-graduate out of Louisiana, who boasts real FBS potential. Cahee, who carries a 4.4 40 time, was able to tally 23 total touchdowns down south. Cahee is an exceptional open-field runner who can change directions at will. Great foot balance and short area burst, the young man can cut on a dime and take what looks like a loss 50+ yards for a score. There's acceleration in the open field, tape displays a clear second gear. There's trench vision and playmaking (open-field) vision to easily change the pace of the offense. Cahee will be a factor in the passing game as well. He can provide a little of everything.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd0f0c8702b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386958"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='386958' first='Jaylen' last='Carter'] poses as the second top 100 weapon to be deployed by Taft. An honor student, track and field participant, and 2x State Champion, Columbia University is getting quite the young man, both on and off the field. Columbia might like what they see between the lines a little bit more, however. Carter's tape immediately shows you two different ways he can beat a defense. First, eating at the line of scrimmage and utilizing his YAC ability to take slants and outs to the house. Awesome open-field awareness. Second, he can burn defenders outside with his track stride, stretching the field vertically and thus being a nightmare to defend. Can make the argument that this playmaker should be ranked higher. Should also mention his prowess as a punt returner.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd0f1e8702c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386957"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='386957' first='Michael' last='Reddick'] is the first main-stay on the defense that we have profiled thus far. Hoffman will more than likely get his fair share of snaps at DE, yet you can believe Reddick will hold down the front-seven, manning the middle and running to the football until the whistle blows. No plays off for this young man, the kid's motor is running high. Recognizes the run well. His tape shows him off the edge with his hand in the dirt at times. Makes me wonder how Taft will end up using his skillset.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd0f288702d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386955"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Enter the man behind center, the three-year starter who put up 15 touchdowns last Fall. [player_tooltip player_id='386955' first='Nicholas' last='Brown'] has a bit of flare to his game, often making magical throws on the run for scores. Brown also has some toughness to his game, showing the ability to stay in the pocket and deliver catchable, accurate balls downfield despite pressure in the pocket. Good size too, standing a 6'4, 195 pounds. Improvisational skills might be his strong point, yet the quarterback can deliver strikes when given a clean pocket. Brown is a quarterback that will more than likely rise in our rankings after the Fall season plays itself out.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/n1ck8rown/status/1538225637537857536?s=20u0026t=3gaGHzNxG7-P26NV9-ZdTQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/n1ck8rown/status/1538225637537857536?s=20&amp;t=3gaGHzNxG7-P26NV9-ZdTQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd0f348702e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["391523"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"I can't stress this enough, coaches at the next level love long-limbed, tall defensive backs. That's what you get with Gardner Heitzman. Heitzman lands on our watchlist as I couldn't find substantial film to break down yet.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd117a8702f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["404251"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Pangaro is one of the more interesting prospects on the list. His reps at quarterback are legitimate, Pangaro isn't just an athlete with the ball in his hands. He has a handful of throws on tape that make you question what his full potential would be behind center. You can't bottle up his athleticism. His ability to create with his feet gives the offense a different dynamic, a change of pace that is bound to catch defenses off-guard. I still really like his skill set at defensive back. I'll be intrigued to see how he is utilized this Fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MichaelPangaro/status/1461730483650248708?s=20u0026t=3gaGHzNxG7-P26NV9-ZdTQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MichaelPangaro/status/1461730483650248708?s=20&amp;t=3gaGHzNxG7-P26NV9-ZdTQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd119187030","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["404292"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The Taft School will be perfectly fine stationing both Hoffman and Symonds on offense if they see it fit. They have yet another 6'7 giant they can deploy at edge rusher. His name is [player_tooltip player_id='404292' first='Braden' last='Macdonald'], a junior formerly out of Old Rochester Regional who bares a striking resemblance to [player_tooltip player_id='386959' first='Addison' last='Hoffman'], from a football perspective. Both lean, both menacing off the edge, and both kids want to punch you in the mouth. The young man's hand usage at the line of scrimmage is noticeably seasoned. TTS could also utilize both 6'7 monsters along the defensive line in tandem. Either way, the Taft coaching staff can't go wrong.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd128c87031","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["404253"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='404253' first='Gunnar' last='Watson'] is a sleeper defensive prospect on the team. 6'3, 190, 42 tackles registered as a sophomore. Not bad production, expect that number to grow with an expanded role as Watson continues to develop as a linebacker at TTF.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd129987032","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["404252"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd12be87033","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["404249"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Here are two prospects who I couldn't find enough film on to properly evaluate. They are on my radar nonetheless.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->