Break Out Candidates of the 2024 Class
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Happy New Year’s guys and gals! I’m manifesting many positive outcomes and blessings to you all! The 2024 Class is stepping into an important role! They are the guys. They are the leaders. They have to set the tone for the entire team.…
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Continue ReadingHappy New Year’s guys and gals! I’m manifesting many positive outcomes and blessings to you all! The 2024 Class is stepping into an important role! They are the guys. They are the leaders. They have to set the tone for the entire team. Being a senior, you are looked upon as a playmaker, to elevate your play and the play of the ones around you. Some of these players on this list were waiting behind previous seniors, others are expected to grow from last season! Here are the Break Out Candidates of the 2024 Class.
Zion Brown
Zion Brown
Brown has an amazing opportunity to establish himself as one of the best QBs in 6A, and possibly Houston! When he has time to set his feet, he can make almost every throw on the football field! A really nice runner, Brown can hurt a defense with his legs. He is also a nice thrower on the move. With all but two returning receiving weapons, and running back Tory Blaylock Tory Blaylock 5’10” | 175 lbs | RB Atastocita | 2025 State TX only growing and improving, Atascocita’s offense should only get better next year! There are still areas on Brown’s game that need improvement. I think his field vision shrinks when he’s under duress. I would not call it happy feet, but he must be able to stay calm in the pocket at all times. Though he has the arm talent, he misses the easy throws occasionally. I personally don’t mind this aspect, because I feel like all QBs need to take some risks, but Brown has taken risk on some passes on ugly throws. Brown has the weapons, the confidence, and the tools to get over the hurdle that is the North Shore Mustangs, and take his game to the next level. Brown threw for 2998 yards, 28 touchdowns, and rushed for 985 yards to go along with 12 touchdowns in his junior year!
Taji Atkins
Taji Atkins
Westfields’ top 2 receivers, and QB will be gone next year. The offense will need to do some reworking. While the new QB gets acclimated, the offense will lean on Taji Atkins! Atkins is set to be even more of a force than in his junior season. He exhibits good patients as a runner. When he feels a hole opening up, he hits it hard. Westfield ran a lot of zone reads, and Atkins utilized his vision really well. I really like his size, he looks bigger than what he is listed at (5’9″, 170 lbs.). He runs with power and has very good speed. An added bonus that I believe Westfield will utilize even more is Atkins’ catching ability. The young man has really nice hands and can be a major threat in the passing game. His game will only get better! He rushed for 1,292 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also caught 27 passes for 440 yards and a whopping NINE touchdowns. I expect Taji Atkins to be a house hold name by the end of his senior season.
Lamont Robins Jr.
Lamont Robins Jr.
This one will easily be the least known prospect of the bunch! Robins was third on the team in receptions as a junior (45 rec). The other two receivers will be long gone this time next year. Robins has really good size (6’1″) and solid speed. He will be paired with receiver Nicholas Brown and try to take the Heights offense to the next level. I could not tell you who their QB will be, but the offense spreads the ball around, and I predict Robins will get a bulk of those targets. Robins has the size, speed and athleticism that can make him a game changer next season!
I’m genuinely surprised not many people are talking about this kid. He is a tackling machine! Blanton has great size for the linebacker position, really good speed and aggression. He is a problem in the running and passing game. He reads the receivers’ routes and breaks on the throw. Blanton has a really good feel for angles and comes downhill quickly to fill the hole. I like his pursuit to the football. He does not get faked by backfield motion and once he sees the football…..and he will get the football. He takes on blocks effortlessly and uses his technique. Already one of the leaders of the Manvel defense, Blanton elevates the play of his teammates and will continue that through his senior year.