Prospect Player Watch: Rocklin Thunder Vs. Turlock Bulldogs

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Rocklin Thunder </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='384807' first='Derek' last='Houston'], 2023 </strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houston is one of the top linebackers across the region and is very active, physical and balanced prospect. A very high IQ kid, he has been dominating SFL competition since his Sophomore season and is a no brainer FCS+ caliber player. Currently holding an offer from Sacramento State, it will not be long until other schools offer the talented defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>OL [player_tooltip player_id='282690' first='Garrison' last='Blank'], 2025 </strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blank had a very nice off-season and impressed at the Norcal National Preps Showcase in April, dominating against top pass rushers and showing his elite athleticism, natural size and bend which is impressive for someone his age. He should be an emerging name this season and it will not be long until he collects FBS offers and gains more recognition across the region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>DB Austin Adams, 2023 </strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams is one of the best safeties in all of Norcal and holds college offers from Lewis and Clark, Whittier and Doane but it wouldn't surprise me if FCS schools offered him before signing day. He is a long and rangy third level player that can cover the entire field, tackles well in the box and has tremendous natural instincts when jumping routes and good ball skills/high point abilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>LB Kaleb Larson, 2023</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Larson is a banger inside the box and is a vertical run defender that can take on bigger blockers and fill gaps quickly. Able to rush off the edge and be used in pass rush situations as well, he had a very nice Junior season and should be one of the top defenders the SFL has to offer this Fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>QB Joey Roberts, 2023</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roberts passed for 1,200+ yards and accounted for 11 touchdowns during his Junior campaign and has a nice command of the Rocklin offense while offering athleticism in and out of the pocket when trying to buy more time when pressured. He is a deep ball thrower that can put air under it and throw his receivers open while able to easily throw 45+ yards and can throw on a rope outside the hashes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Turlock Bulldogs </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>RB JT Foreman, 2023 </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foreman is one of the top running backs in Norcal and is very smooth out of the backfield with natural hands and has the ability to do damage outside the tackles along with run tough and physical in-between the tackles. Very tough to tackle with a low pad level and forward lean, he is explosive in the short area and will be a top ball carrier across the valley this Fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>QB Cole Gilbert, 2023 </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilbert is a veteran signal caller for the Bulldogs and should have a strong command of the offense this season. Athletic in the pocket, he keeps his eyes downfield and is very accurate in the intermediate game while moving defenders with his eyes and having a quick release in the pocket and on the run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>FB/ILB <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12990671">Martin Bertao</a>, 2023</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bertao is a thumper in the tranches that also carries the load inside when running the ball and gaining the tough yards. He is a compact and very strong athlete that will be a plug in the middle of the Bulldog defense and should be one of the more active tacklers across the league and section this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>DL Logan Durkee, 2024</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Durkee is a stout player that can play all over the defensive front and excels against the run while playing with heavy hands, a strong base and violent finish against bigger blockers. Only a rising Junior, he will be one of the better '24 defensive lineman across the valley and is in line for a breakout Junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Top Players To Note...</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='282714' first='Henry' last='Hatada'], 2025 </em>(Rocklin HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>ATH Brady Freeman, 2023 </em>(Rocklin HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>DB <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14665468">Dhiraj Singh</a>, 2024 (Turlock HS)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>LB Jeremy Garcia, 2023 (Turlock HS)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->