Standout Special Teams Players: Fall 2022

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a closer look at the DMV's top performing special teams players from the Fall 2022 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'0 195 P/K - Shane Messenger - St. John's</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shane Messenger earned 1st Team All-WCAC honors this season, and he also received St. Johns' Unsung Hero Award for his outstanding performance kicking the football this fall for the Cadets. Messenger kicked his way to back to back WCAC championships for St. John's as well, and he truly never wavered, especially in the most crucial moments of his high school career. Messenger has a D1 offer from Tennessee State University, and I'd be shocked if he does not receive more offers after his phenomenal year kicking in 2022. Even though he received WCAC honors for punting, I absolutely believe that Shane Messenger has the leg to kick at the next level. It's no coincidence that Messenger has two championship rings in the most difficult conference in high school football, and those scouts out there looking for kickers must add the name Shane Messenger to their search lists. He's an elite young kicker with a ton of potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: h<a href="//t.co/AAK6Hhrt4H">ttps://t.co/AAK6Hhrt4H</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'0 195 P/K - Ryan Capriotti - Good Counsel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 4 star 1st Team All-WCAC and 2nd Team All-MET kicker, Ryan Capriotti, made nearly 75% of his field goals this season, with a long of 48 yards, and he also only missed two extra points for the entire year. Capriotti possesses next level leg talent, and he also performed phenomenally well as a punter in 2022. He averaged 41 yards per punt, and he also pinned 7 punts inside the 20 yard line. Ryan Capriotti has an official D1 offer from the University of Buffalo, with many more on the way, and it will be very exciting to see where Capriotti decides to take his talents. He is an exceptional young kicker with a ridiculously high ceiling, and kicking scouts nationwide must know the name Ryan Capriotti. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/6fSzZBBWzc">https://t.co/6fSzZBBWzc</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'2 170 PR/WR - Kristian Tate - DeMatha</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kristian Tate earned 2nd Team All-WCAC honors this season, and he also received my Return Man of the Year Award for the 2022 season. His electrifying touchdown returns were on full display throughout the year, and Tate delivered time and time again on special teams for the DeMatha Stags this year. He returned a handful of returns back for touchdowns this past Fall, and he has offers from D1 programs such as Delaware State, UNC Charlotte, Morgan State, and others. There's zero doubt in my mind that Kristian Tate is going to do great things at the next level, and his coaches must not forget about his kick return prowess. His ability to read defensive return schemes and adjust on the fly is second to none, and I am very excited to watch him perform at the D1 level. Truly a spectacular high school career for Kristian Tate at DeMatha.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://twitter.com/_14reasons/status/1586199430663143424?s=20&amp;t=LMaIdtXqMXI3HKVaxMyj0g">https://twitter.com/_14reasons/status/1586199430663143424?s=20&amp;t=LMaIdtXqMXI3HKVaxMyj0g</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 5'11 175 P/K - Dylan Manna - Calvert Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 4 star kicker, Dylan Manna, ended the season on a super high note, with a game-winning 33 yard field goal in the 102nd annual Turkey Bowl. He was incredible the whole year for Calvert Hall. Manna was nearly perfect kicking on the year, and he consistently executed in clutch situations such as onside kicks. Dylan Manna is a phenomenal all-around kicker with huge upside at the position, and he possesses a DIII offer from Eastern University. I have a lot of confidence that Manna will kick at the D1 level one day, and I guarantee that he puts up stellar numbers in his first year kicking wherever he chooses to commit. More offers should, in my opinion, most definitely be rolling in for Dylan Manna.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/O2sSNZfMl4">https://t.co/O2sSNZfMl4</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 5'11 185 P/K - Brian Langevin - Gonzaga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kicker and punter Brian Langevin put up solid numbers this year, and he'll take on the biggest role of his high school career next season when he lines up to kick for his Senior year campaign. Langevin and the Purple Eagles are in a premier position to compete for a WCAC championship in 2023, and the reason for that is their overall talent level and consistency. Langevin is also an above average tackling kicker, and he has been known to bring down ball carriers to the ground himself on returns. Brian Langevin can make a huge impact on Gonzaga's overall record and performance in 2023, and it will be exciting to watch him rise to the challenge for one final run at WCAC gold with his fellow Purple Eagles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->