2025 Offensive Playmakers To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are analyzing a ton of 2025 offensive playmakers in February, let's take a look at a few of them right here: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='659048' first='Arrion' last='Concepcion'] - WR - Chambers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 5'10 and 170 pounds, Arrion has already made a name for himself outside of his brother, [player_tooltip player_id='44975' first='Kevin' last='Concepcion'], an NC State commit. He has picked up offers from Charlotte and Virginia Tech - and the reason why is he has already flashed major playmaker ability in limited touches. Chambers had a lot of talent at the receiver position last season, and Arrion still made his way on the field and made some impressive things happen. He is excellent in the quick screen game - one play in particular there were three unblocked defenders and he made them all miss and went untouched for a touchdown, just incredible stuff. Arrion has excellent speed - on a couple of highlights, he closes a 10-yard cushion easily and beats the corner for a touchdown over the top. Arrion can also be a difference maker from the slot in the run game, as well as in the return game on special teams. It will be fun watching him for the next two years for sure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='655162' first='Braxton' last='Grace'] - OL - Forest Hills </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensive linemen can be playmakers too! Especially when we are talking about Braxton "Big Red" Grace - anytime an offensive lineman has a nickname, you know they are pretty good. Braxton currently has an offer from Charlotte, and others can be expected to come his way. At 6'2 and 285 pounds, Braxton plays center, and you know they have to be intelligent to be successful there. Braxton has a 4.3 GPA, so it's no wonder he is doing well on the field, as well as in the classroom. On film, Braxton snaps and steps very well, and that helps him gain leverage on reach/cutoff blocks when working with guards to combo off to the 2nd level. He has excellent footwork in climbing next level, fitting linebackers well, and driving them until the echo of the whistle. In pass protection, he is strong against defensive tackles and nose guards with a firm two-hand punch and fits on the inside of their frame, and they simply don't get penetration. Good tough interior lineman overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='270423' first='JJ' last='Gordon'] - RB - Ashbrook</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the things I love about JJ is his dynamic ability with the ball in his hands - he makes the most of the opportunities he gets with excellent agility and speed. He is primarily a running back by trade, but he can play slot receiver and some safety on the defensive side of the football. As a slot receiver, he can win one on one battles against safeties/linebackers and make contested catches with ease. As a running back, he is explosive through the hole and has excellent vision. He is a very good north/south runner with the ability to make the right cuts at the right time. At 5'9 and 175 pounds he can definitely carry the load on offense and be a big part of the Ashbrook attack. He has seen some Division 1 interest from Duke and Charlotte, and I'd expect that to increase as he gets out into camps during the camp season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eli Falls - WR - Shelby </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'3 and 175 pounds, Falls came on the scene strong for the Golden Lions as another playmaker in a potent passing attack. He made the most of his opportunities, ending the season with 400 yards on 26 catches and 6 touchdowns. On film, he is a real deep threat, making big play after big play deep down the field. He can high point the ball well in one on one situations, especially the jump balls down in the end zone against a smaller receiver. He has very good speed for a receiver of his size, and he should only increase his production this upcoming season. I would expect college interest to really increase once Eli hits camp season and he can show the improvement he has gained in the offseason. I am impressed with Eli's work ethic, he has posted a lot of training videos on his social media, and I think he really wants to be great. That's an awesome trait to see in such a young player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='354210' first='Charlie' last='Smith'] - QB - Charlotte Latin </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I first learned about Charlie at a camp I covered last year, where he was not that well known, and he came in and won a Top 5 recognition out of a large group of over 30 quarterbacks, most of them well-chronicled, respected, and older. That's when I realized, he can really be something special. He has done nothing to change that belief, as he had a strong sophomore season, helping lead his team to the state playoffs. His film shows him making a wide variety of throws - he executes very well off of play action - his first couple of highlights are off of that action with pressure in his face, but he keeps his timing and rhythm and delivers absolutely beautiful footballs for touchdowns. I wouldn't put Charlie in the exclusive dual-threat class, but he knows how to escape pressure and make off-platform throws for big gains. He also isn't afraid to run when he sees daylight, and he will put his head down and go for the extra yard when needed. I remember one coach telling me specifically they were impressed with his arm strength, and that shows well on film also. At 6'2 and 180 pounds, I think he's a little bit of a sleeper recruit for now, but that won't be the case for much longer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->