Under the Radar Preseason Players for 2023
It is very close to the preseason and once again I have a list of players who are flying under the radar when it comes to playing high school football in the Rochester area. Below are those young football players…
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Continue ReadingIt is very close to the preseason and once again I have a list of players who are flying under the radar when it comes to playing high school football in the Rochester area. Below are those young football players to take a look at for the upcoming 2023 football campaign.
Jordan Nolan Jordan Nolan DB Irondequoit | 2024 NY is a 5’6” WR/FS from Irondequoit High School that is looking to get on more college programs’ radar in 2023. This is a very hardworking and fearless football player that attacks any play at 100% effort. Nolan stated to me that he is so fearless that he will risk his body out to help the team no matter what. Nolan has a large amount of quickness and speed in his game that gives him a large advantage at the point of attack. DBs had a really difficult time keeping up with Nolan in the short area routes that require a lot of foot speed. The majority of Jordan’s snaps at the WR position came out of the slot where he was able to make a lot of big time plays. The explosive talent after the catch was a true stand out. Defenders had a hard time trying to bring Nolan down because of a greater low center of gravity. Making a move in a flash was a consistent showcase throughout Nolan’s film as well. This is a playmaker that does not shy away from contact and does a great job of cutting up the field into open space to produce such large volumes of YAC. Tracking the ball deep down the field for a player of his size was one of the biggest standouts in Nolan’s game. Multiple times at either the WR or the FS spot, Nolan was always able to make diving catches on the football deep down the field. Even at the punt returner spot, Jordan was able to produce some thrilling returns to set his offense up in great field position. Nolan is hoping to end his 2023 campaign with a Section V championship.Twitter: @JordanNolan_00 Instagram: @jordan_nolan03 Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14461886/Jordan-Nolan
Carmen Johnson
Carmen Johnson
This is a QB from Penfield High School named Carmen Johnson who is very professional when it comes to making statements. One impressive statement made by Johnson is that he is a hardworking player on and off the football field especially when it comes to his academics in the classroom where he posted a 3.65 GPA this past year. Additionally, Carmen stated that finding any way to help his team win football games on the football field is extremely important to him. A main point of emphasis for Carmen coming into this season is to do his best on every down to translate into winning. Statements that you want to hear from not only your QB but any football player on your team.The excitement and big play arm talent on Johnson was a thrill to see on film. Carmen was able to hit a lot of his passes deep down the field, and certainly was not afraid in attempting the big time throws with pressured action was breathing down his neck. Getting the ball out of his hands fast was a consistent point throughout Johnson’s tape as well. Many times, Johnson would make the smart play, and even safe play; for example, sliding to keep his body safe. Making the smart play often led to setting up big plays for Johnson and the Penfield offense.A lot of good reads were made by Johnson when scanning the field completely. Johnson is not going to force a lot of balls into tight windows to cause turnovers. Taking what the defense gave Johnson on early downs and putting the football into his playmaker hands truly allowed the chains to move. When it comes to Johnson’s pure athleticism, he can make plays with his legs especially when it comes to getting out of the pocket. Twitter: @carmenjohnson_7Instagram: @carmenxjohnsonHudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/12550369/Carmen-Johnson
Rory Gately
Rory Gately
If you like aggressive football athletes that are not afraid to come downhill and make a tackle on a ball carrier in open space, then check out Rory Gately from Penfield High School. Gately is a do-it-all football player that has had playing time at FS, WR, and returning kicks on both returning units for Penfield’s special teams. Gately is a confident young man that even showed me some of his athletic numbers such as a 4.68 40-yard dash, a 35” vertical, and a 9’8” broad jump.I was very impressed with the play style Gately has at the FS position. As stated prior, Rory is a safety that will pursue and make tackles in open space. Being able to read a play as it unfolds and attack with speed was a huge standout in Gately’s play at the FS spot. This is a young player that plays smart as if he was a senior player. Coming into this season, Gately stands in at 5’10” and weighs around 160-pounds. Growing as a football player is an action that Gately follows in great light. Helping his team in any possible way on any side of the football is the type of player that Rory is and strides to be. For the upcoming 2023 season, one of the biggest goals that Gately has is that he wants to make a name for himself in Section V football. Rory hopes that his improved game will translate into receiving more college level offers/interests. Rory is an individual that love the game of football, and it would be a dream come true for him to play college football post-graduation from Penfield. Twitter: @RoryGatelyInstagram: @rorygately_Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17284573/Rory-Gately
Sean Stevens-Harvey
Sean Stevens-Harvey
Sean Stevens-Harvey is a 15-year-old, that stands in at 6’0” and weighs 265-pounds. Not only does Stevens-Harvey excel on the football field, but he does in the classroom as well posting a 4.06 GPA this past year. Sean spoke to me that he wants to win and state and sectionals title at University Prep Rochester. When it comes to pure football stats, Stevens-Harvey wants to tally in 30 pancake blocks and give up no sacks when it comes to his role at the offensive guard position. The majority of Sean’s play time comes at the LG spot, but he has had experience plating at the DT position in both a 1 or 3 technique. When it comes to the DT position. Sean’s pure size also grants him an advantage when it comes to plugging up holes and taking up space. That space that Stevens-Harvey is able to take up would force the opposing RB to make a second move or bounce runs to the outside. At the LG spot, this is a tough football player that has an outstanding ability at being able to control or maneuver his blocks in both pass and run situations. Stevens-Harvey is a very challenging football player to move when contact is made due to his pure size advantage. Defenders had a very difficult time trying to grant lift in their rushes at the point of attack, having to rely on speed to gain an edge. The pure drive to move defenders out of the way for 3–5 yards was showcased multiple times throughout Sean’s film in the run game. This is a very young football player that is only going to improve as he is granted more play time. Twitter: @SeanSharvey72Instagram: @stier_sean Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/8262675/Sean-StevensHarvey
Bradley Pollard
Bradley Pollard
A multi-sport athlete that in addition to football plays hockey and throws discus for track & field here with Bradley Pollard. When it comes to the game of football however, Pollard is a high-quality offensive and defensive lineman playing for Pittsford Mendon High School. This upcoming 2023 season, Bradley wants to not only be a reliable player for his team but a coachable player as well. Additionally, Pollard wants to win sectionals and produce tremendously on both sides of the football.Over on the offensive line, Pollard’s main position is in the middle of the line at center. When placed at center, Bradley does an outstanding job of being that driving force in the middle of the line. Being able to come off the snap of the ball quickly and with a lot of balance to stay upright when making first contact with the opposing player was key. Many times, defenders would try to gain a quick edge to one side of Bradley, but he was smart in his ability to use his leverage to his advantage by driving that defender into the turf. Most of Bradley’s action on the defensive line came at the DT position. The majority of Pollards playing reps came on either the 1, 2, or 3 techniques of the defensive line. When the ball was snapped, the get off for Pollard was impressive to see. Being able to accelerate and make a huge collapse of the interior of the line truly paid dividends against the run game. The pure passion and play speed really flashed when watching Pollard play the game off football on defense. Twitter: @Bpoll19Instagram: @brad_pollard19Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16655886/Brad-Pollard
Darius Walker
Darius Walker
Darius Walker is a 6’3” defensive and offensive linemen for Rush Henrietta High School that weighs in at 240-pounds. Walker plays DE and DT on the defensive side of the ball. When it comes to the offensive side of the ball, Walker plays LT. At the LT spot, Walker’s quick hands were a tremendous factor in allowing himself to control defenders at the point of attack. Defenders would try to beat Darius with speed, and the pure agile athleticism was a huge factor in his overall blocking ability.This is a defensive lineman that is truly smart in his own technique and Darius stated to me that he is always trying to be fast around the ball to make a big time play for his team. What was clear, is that Walker is always trying to get the upper hand on his opponents. Studying his opponent’s film is an action that Walker likes to take, so he is prepared when stepping on the field for one-on-one matchups. Walker talked about how for this upcoming 2023 season, he wants to develop into one of the top high school football players in Section V. Helping his team win in every given game and taking his play to the next level are all goals that Walker wants to reach by the end of the season. Taking it one game at a time and relying on his instincts like Darius has done in the past will reflect in a more dominate wins for Rush Henrietta this fall.Twitter: @Dariuswalker63Instagram: @youfounddavy Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16608870/Darius-Walker