6 Underrated High School Football Players in Upstate NY

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are always players that come into a season that are not at the top of many schools lists to watch or to even recruit. Here are 6 players in the upstate NY region that are very underrated in their recognition of their natural talent and their ability to produce on the football field. They are all here to make a statement and let their play stand out this coming fall!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":646390,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Val Kondratenko ","_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":"6'5u0022","_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eSuch an interesting story here from this senior OT from Brighton High School named Val Kondratenko. Val moved here to the United States of America from the country Ukraine at the age of 8. Val had to convince his parents to let him play the game of football. Kondratenko is a massive player standing in at 6'5” and weighing in at 240-pounds.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe pure athleticism at the OT position was showed greatly here with Kondratenko. When Val is set to make a reach or even pull block, he was able to get out into the opposite B and even C gaps quickly to make a quality block on the defender. When Kondratenko makes contact with a defender, the strength and drive to overpower the defender stands out at a high level. So many times Kondratenko would take his block completely out of the designated running lane. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThere is so much flexibility and quickness in his game to mirror pass rushers that are trying to beat Kondratenko to the outside C gaps. The footwork in his drops are what allows him to mirror the pass rusher so well. Additionally, Kondratenko does a fabulous job at adjusting to the defender in space to control the directions of his blocks at the point of attack. The pure ability to be a true anchor in pass protection stands out in Val's game a lot. In the run game, Kondratenko does an outstanding job at winning the leverage battle, and getting low right off the snap of the ball. Kondratenko is a tough nose football player that has the purest joy playing the game that he loves. Playing football is fun to Kondratenko, and he just wants to continue to have fun playing with his teammates this upcoming season. Val stated that he is aiming to win a sectional title with his teammates this fall.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTwitter: @ValKondratenko2 u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eInstagram: @valkon75 u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHudl Profile: u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16099383/Val-Kondratenkou0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/16099383/Val-Kondratenkou003c/spanu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e8043be5b18"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16099383/636a87d76899a50a6c52049c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e8043be5b49"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["451495"],"_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":647805,"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis monster of a young player from Irondequoit High School stands in at a height of 6'1” and weighs 210-pounds. u003ca href=u0022https://prepredzone.com/player/isaiah-ballard/u0022u003eIsaiah Ballardu003c/au003e is a hardworking player that loves to compete, improve his play on the football field, and even plays basketball during the winter. In addition to the TE position, Isaiah has playing experience at DE where his pure ability to use his size, speed, and power comes into play tremendously. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe pure athleticism in this young man was put on full display at the TE position. Multiple times, Ballard was lined up in the slot running impressive routes for a TE at his age. Isaiah does a great job of fighting for space and sitting in the open lanes on hitch routes for his QB to find him. The ability to adjust up the field to make big time plays was put on full display when he ran routes in the short area of the field. Defenders had a very difficult time trying to bring Ballard down at first contact. Defenders must gang tackle Ballard, or he will drive forward for extra yardage. This is a TE that can make impressive catches in traffic and did so on multiple occasions this past season. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eFlipping to the DE position, the quickness coming off the snap of the ball was impressive to see. This is a DE that can rush standing up like an OLB or in a 3-point stance. Ballard was able to get by his blocks quickly and has a strong finishing ability to get to the QB for a sack. The ability to use his hands to run effective rip and swim moves was on full display when rushing the passer. Multiple times Ballard used his wingspan to his advantage when jumping and knocking passes down for no gain. This coming season, Ballard is looking forward to making even more impressive plays to put on film, but he wants to win sectionals with his teammates and make AGR in the process.  u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTwitter: @Isaiahballard06 u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eInstagram: @zayy_ballin06u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHudl Profile: u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16681343/Isaiah-Ballardu0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/16681343/Isaiah-Ballardu003c/spanu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e8043be5830"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16681343/636152d25cb3dc0ba8ce9651' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e8043be58ba"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527844"],"_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":646379,"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAt Rush Henrietta High School, there is their 6'1”, 178-pound WR named u003ca href=u0022https://prepredzone.com/player/nasir-patton/u0022u003eNasir Patton u003c/au003ethat is a super strong WR at the point of attack. Nasir was a WR that was able to make big time plays for his team this past season. Patton has been playing the game of football since he was 6 years old, and talked to me about how he is hoping to get his first collegiate offer this coming fall. It is super important for Nasir to make a name for himself because he has dreams of playing at the next level and beyond.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWhen it comes to Patton's play at the WR position, he is a pure home run threat on the outside that was able to make impressive catches for his team around the sidelines. This is a WR that has natural hands that will pluck the football clean and away from his body with ease. Nasir has long strides and an incredible leaping ability that was put on for show when making contested catches with defenders draped all over him. Timing the point of the football deep down the field and working back to the QB are abilities that are strong in his overall game at the WR position. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe concentration/awareness to know where he is near the sideline and make toe tapping catches happened at an elite level when running out patterns. Patton was also used on special teams as a returner where he was able to set his own offense up in great field position. Certainly this is not a football player that is not going to shy away from contact and made some big time blocks to give his teammates space to run. I am thrilled to see what Patton can do and how he has improved his game in 2023.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTwitter: @nasir_pattonu003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eInstagram: @4tgnas._ u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHudl Profile: u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/15787571/Nasir-Patton/aboutu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/15787571/Nasir-Pattonu003c/au003eu003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e8043be59f4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15787571/632a094eb5360b0c7ca7ffac' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e8043be5a49"} /--> <!-- 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":646396,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Thomas Ashby","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Wayne","_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis is Thomas Ashby who is a three sport athlete at Wayne Central High School that loves competition and is hoping to play football at the collegiate level. This is a true do-it-all football player that has had experience playing at LB, RB, and even TE. Coming into the 2023 season, Ashby will be a junior, and he is looking to be a top leader for his team when making a run at sectionals. Thomas talked about how he wants to be that strong leader that the younger players can look up to and come to him anytime for questions about the game of football. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAt the LB position, Ashby has experience playing at both the inside and outside position. The trait to attack the ball carrier with no fear whatsoever stood out the most when watching Thomas play LB.  Ashby does an outstanding job of shooting low and making sure he wraps the ball carrier up to bring him to the ground. Even when lined up in a ILB role, Ashby was able to effectively rush the passer and make impactful tackles for a loss when being sent on a blitz. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWhen Ashby was placed at the RB spot, he is a downhill runner that can make a defender miss in space with a simple cut back move. The talent to be able to deliver a powerful stiff arm with force to break off a tackle was present. The consistency to drive for extra yardage and refusal to go down at first contact stood out tremendously. u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eLastly, Thomas is a player that can be utilized on special teams in both the return and defending game. Ashby was able to track down returners multiple times. I was impressed by his ability of making clean tackles at full speed. Thomas even produced some great returns on kickoffs when given the opportunity. Ashby is a passionate player that I am looking forward to seeing play this fall.  u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTwitter: @Thomas_Ashby12u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eInstagram: @Thomas_Ashby12u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHudl Profile: u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/15847051/Thomas-Ashbyu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/15847051/Thomas-Ashbyu003c/au003eu003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e8043be5c01"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15847051/635f31bc3deaa50aecfc5c1b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e8043be5c2f"} /--> <!-- 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":647648,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jalen Morales","_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":"6'3u0022","_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":"Watertown","_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eJalen Morales is a 6'3”, 175-pound DB from the Watertown High School that moved around the football field with a good mixture of quickness and speed. In addition to Jalen's speed, he used his length to his advantage even more when getting on top of defenders in a jump ball situations. The majority of Morales play came at the FS or SS position. Being able to defend a pass over the top was a huge stand-out in his game. Morales has a great ability to stay patient in his drops in coverage and attack when he has to. Knowing when to attack a route from the top was key in his ability to make interceptions as well. This is not a safety that would showcase the traits of being too aggressive in coverage. Too many times DBs tend to be too aggressive which allows for busted coverages behind the defense with double moves. That was not the case here with Jalen.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThere were plenty of plays when Morales was brought down into the box to play the Will LB role as well. There were even incidents where he was lined up on the outside making tackles against the run. Jalen does do a good job of dropping his shoulder, wrapping the ball carrier's waist up, and making a clean tackle in space. Finishing plays with a grade A tackle was a huge emphasis here. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eFor the 2023 season, Morales not only has goals for himself, but his team as well. For his personal goals, Jalen wants to have 70 total tackles on the season, be a Section III All-Star, and make All-State. Morales made it clear to me that he personally wants to contribute to his team the best he can, as long as the result is walking away from the game with the win. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTwitter: @jalenmorales_u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHudl Profileu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16204568/Jalen-Moralesu0022u003e: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16204568/Jalen-Moralesu003c/au003eu003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e8043be5cca"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16204568/635ca5970dc07a07a0cebe5a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63eadbfde86d0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["406846"],"_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":647804,"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eu003ca href=u0022https://prepredzone.com/player/ervin-wiggins/u0022u003eErvin Wiggins Jr.u003c/au003e is a very underrated player at East High School that made a lot of impressive plays on both the offensive and defensive side for his team. Wiggins has playing experience at SS, OLB, CB, and WR. When it comes to the upcoming season, Ervin talked about how he wants to get stronger, faster, and more explosive on both sides of the ball. If Wiggins indeed makes those improvements to those areas in his game, he will be one special player to watch this season.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAt the WR position, Wiggins was used greatly as a hybrid WR/TE. Many times, Ervin would be set in motion or would release off the LOS from the point a TE would normally line up at. This is a player that was able to run all sorts of routes and his team would utilize him in the screen game greatly. Wiggins was always being put into situations where he was a mismatch on LB's. Ervin's speed and effective ability to run elite 9 routes over the middle of the field made it incredibly challenging for LB's to cover him. The pure speed and acceleration showed off even when Wiggins was lined up on the outside as an X or Z receiver. Numerous times, Wiggins showcased his outstanding hand-eye coordination to track the football over his shoulder deep down the field. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe raw talent and speed was so disruptive on the defensive side of the ball. Wiggins showcased his ability to jump routes for interceptions at the SS position and the ability to blitz off the edge at the OLB position to create turnovers. The natural and clean tackling ability to attack at the ball carrier's waist was put on fully display throughout his film on defense. I was especially impressed with Wiggins ability to block shed at such a high rate. The raw power and aggressiveness that Ervin brings at the point of attack is special to see, and will be a joy to see in person. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTwitter: @Ervinwiggjns2u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eInstagram: @the_real_erv9u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHudl Profile: u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/15823758/Ervin-Wiggins-Jru0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/15823758/Ervin-Wiggins-Jru003c/spanu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63eadbfde8761"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15823758/638267515b3cd113c47c13fd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63eadbfde8790"} /-->