2023 Rochester NY High School Football Watch List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who doesn't like a watch list for top high school football players? In Rochester NY, there are plenty of football players that are looking to make a statement this upcoming season. The players that are on this list are strong, reliable, and are looking to prove the doubters wrong in the opportunity to earn more playing opportunities down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["619468"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":659318,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The endless endurance that came out of u003ca href=u0022https://prepredzone.com/player/ronin-walker/u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='619468' first='Ronin' last='Walker']u003c/au003e in 2022 was insane to see. Walker was a freshman this past season and started off on the junior varsity team for Rush Henrietta High School. Walker was able to play not only on junior varsity but earned some play time at the varsity level as well. Ronin talked about that most of his time on varsity came from the special team's unit, but he is expected to fill into a much bigger role come 2023. This is a huge force at LB standing in at 6'0” and weighing in at 190-pounds.rnrnThe pure ability to be so fluid coming off of his spot in coverage for a player of his age was shocking to see. Walker did an outstanding job at not only being able to get back into coverage quickly but being able to use his athleticism and instincts to jump routes. There is so much speed that flashed in Walker's game, and it allowed him to make big time plays all over the field.rnrnThere is so much elite power, strength, emotion, and willingness to attack every ball carrier with 100% effort. I counted plenty of plays where Walker was able to make a big-time tackle on the ball carrier in space. Against the run, Ronin's ability to read and react when a play develops was vigorous to see in motion. When it comes to the upcoming season, Walker wants to lead his team in tackles and improve his overall game as a LB to the next step. That next step is doing whatever it takes to help his team win and being the impactful force on defense. With the raw talent and tools that I saw on film, this player can be one special player if he puts in the hard hours to keep improving every day.rnrnTwitter: @WalkerRoninrnrnInstagram: @roninn___rnrnHudl Profile: u003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/profile/16608783u0022u003ehttp://www.hudl.com/profile/16608783u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f1660226793"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16608783/633c7cd9d21b250064c96248' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f16602267b6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":659285,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Shawn Blake","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Brighton ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"This is a 5'10”, 240-pound OL/DL that has been playing the game of football for 8 years now. Shawn Blake is an upcoming junior at Brighton High School that is very physical at the point of attack. Shawn loves the game of football and wants to play it as long as he can. The goals that were stated by Blake for the 2023 season included winning sectionals, getting his name out to schools more, and to simply dominate on the field with his fellow teammates.rnrnWhen it comes to Shawn's play on the offensive line, the majority of his snaps came at both of the OG positions, but Blake also has playing experience at OT. The pure ability to get out into space on a pull block with not only strength but natural speed was a thrill to see. Staying square at the POA and being able to drive defenders backwards for multiple yards was a reoccurring theme for #56. Shawn was able to take interior defenders straight out of the designated run lanes on lead blocks at a high rate. Many of the defenders would get out leverage and find themselves laying on the turf.rnrnIn pass protection, Blake was outstanding in his ability to handle powerful bull rushes. There were not many times when Shawn was pushed too far back inside the pocket for it to collapse on top of the QB. The ability to stand his ground and to stay balanced when a powerful blitz was brought to his side was impressive to see. This is not just one impressive offensive lineman, but an impressive football player as well.rnrnTwitter: @shawnblake99rnrnInstagram: @shawnblake99rnrnHudl Profile: u003cuu003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/15885886/Shawn-Blakeu003c/uu003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f166022661b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15885886/63669dd99a9b6e04ec09f79e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f1660226668"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527840"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eSuch an agile force on both the offensive and defensive lines for Penfield High School. u003ca href=u0022https://prepredzone.com/player/peter-northrup/u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='527840' first='Peter' last='Northrup']u003c/au003e is a 6'1” OT that weighs in at 255-pounds and was able to show off his consistent play over on the right side of the line throughout this past season. Northrup is the school record holder in both weighted squat, clean, and bench press. This is one powerful football player that is very prideful in the work that he has put in. u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eI was amazed by how quick Northrup was in getting into his pass protection set. The pure natural ability to slide from one defender to the next in a flash, was a rare trait to see. The skill set to stay balanced and stout when a powerful rusher was brought was a strength in Peter's game that really sets him apart from many RTs his age.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis is a pure football player that is not afraid to get extremely physical at the point of attack. Multiple times, Peter would fire up his hands and was able to drive the opposing defender to the side. In the run game, Northrup did a marvelous job of fighting on from one block to the next. Finding that second block inside the second level of the defense was key. Many defenders would try to adjust back inside on Peter, and he was always able to adjust his block to clear the defender out of the run lane.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eOn the defensive side, Northrup played at the interior DT position where his quickness off the snap of the ball was relentless. The pure power and pushback on the QB was put on full display when Peter was rushing the passer. The opponent would struggle to move Northrup back, and he was always clogging up the interior rush lanes. For the upcoming year, Peter wants to make 1st team all section V, make AGR, squat 500-pounds, and bench press 350-pounds. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTwitter: @peternorthrup54u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eInstagram: @peternorthrup_2024u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHudl Profile: u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/profile/13636440u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ehttp://www.hudl.com/profile/13636440u003c/spanu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f16602266ea"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13636440/6360f5384df60c16a4866f00' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f166022671b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527732"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":659360,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The first team all-league running back and an honorable mention for AGR was u003ca href=u0022https://prepredzone.com/player/gavin-parks-2/u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='527732' first='Gavin' last='Parks']u003c/au003e from Brighton High School. In addition to RB, Parks plays the LB position where he was able to rack up 43 total tackles. Gavin is fluid in his ability to read, react, and attack low when he produced at the LB position for Brighton.rnrnHowever, over at the RB position is where Parks shined the most on the football field. In this past season, Parks ended with 9 TDs and averaged 6.85 yards per carry on his 135 attempts. The 5'10”, 170-pound back ended with a grand total of 925 rushing yards. Since Gavin fell short of 1,000 yards, his top goal on the side of winning a sectional championship, is to hit that 1,000-yard mark. If Parks is featured the same it was in his sophomore season, there is no doubt in my mind he can hit that mark of 1,000 yards. Many of Gavin's rushes came out of the shotgun formation where he would make small jump cuts and was patient to let his blocks unfold before he took off for huge gains.rnrnWhen given open space to run, Parks does a skillful job of attacking near the sideline and using his pure speed to outrun the entire defense. Getting outside the hashes where open space was present was a huge signature in his game. Parks reads the entire field at a high level and sees even the littlest holes to gain positive yardage. The rare ability to change directions in a flash with his quick feet was put on full display in between the tackles. Avoiding tackles and being able to weave from outside to inside so rapidity separates him from a lot of RBs in the Rochester region. The purest ability to fight for extra yardage was consistent throughout his play. Parks is going to be one exciting player to watch this fall.rnrnTwitter: @GavinParks2025rnrnInstagram: @gavin_parks13rnrnHudl Profile: u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/15885829/Gavin-Parksu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/15885829/Gavin-Parksu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f16602269ba"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15885829/636d2e9296778a0b342541d3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f16b45da8ae"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":659320,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Landon Gibbons","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 6'1”, 168-pound WR from Greece Arcadia High School is a vertical threat that was able to show off his ability to be physical at the point of attack. That WR is named Landon Gibbons, and he spoke to me about how his goal is to get 1% better with his teammates every day this upcoming season. Gibbons ensured to me that the main goal for his teammates and himself is to win football games.rnrnLandon is a strong WR that is not going to try to do too much after he secures a catch. What I mean by that is Landon is disciplined in his ability to secure the catch and pick up necessary yardage by falling forward. This is a receiver that will want to run through a defender with physicality rather than trying to win in space with pure speed. Many WRs will try to do too much and lose yardage in the process or even cause a turnover. That is not the case here with Landon as he was very discipline.rnrnIn addition to the WR position, Gibbons can also long snap and was used on both kickoff units. Landon had a lot of impressive snaps that landed accurately in his punters hands and was able to make impactful blocks for his teammates on special teams. This is a developing player that makes the team's total overall stronger because of the flexibility you can place him at in different situations on the football field.rnrnTwitter: @lxndnsrnrnInstagram: @lxndnsrnrnHudl Profile: u003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/profile/16686843u0022u003ehttp://www.hudl.com/profile/16686843u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f1660226868"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16686843/63614bdebed6c60ba055125f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f166022688c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":659196,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Xavier Cox","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"McQuaid Jesuit High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A truly dedicated young man to the game of football here in Xavier Cox that plays at both the WR and CB position. Cox is a 5'8”, 153-pound sophomore that was injured the majority of his freshman year at McQuaid Jesuit High School. Since the injury pledged season, Xavier has/is putting in countless hours in the weight room and with his personal trainer in Maurice Jackson helping him prepare for this coming season. Cox stated to me that he is more than ready to keep grinding and persevere through every obstacle that comes his way in 2023.rnrnThis is truly a hardworking, dedicated, and disciplined student athlete that loves to play the game of football. At the CB position, Cox has a great ability to be able to rebound if beaten off the LOS and attack by playing the ball. If beaten off the LOS, Xavier was able to use his tremendous agility and speed to gain back necessary ground to make a play on the football. That pure speed, agility, and acceleration comes into play greatly when running routes at the WR spot as well.rnrnWhat is important to Cox is to do whatever it takes to get his team to the win at the end of the day. The goals of helping McQuaid make it to their 5th Section V championship in a row and to win their first state championship is high on Xavier's list for this upcoming season. Xavier is young but has goals of making AGR and building up his name across NY state. To develop into one of the top prospects in his class would be a dream come true and Cox is looking forward to the challenge.rnrnTwitter: @iam_xaviercoxrnrnInstagram: @i_certified.5rnrnHudl Profile: u003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/profile/17755167u0022u003ehttp://www.hudl.com/profile/17755167u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f166022692a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17755167/63afa6b30c54160a9899e81e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f166022694f"} /-->