2024 Breakout Candidates – April Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are just about to really star[player_tooltip player_id='651469' first='t' last='u']p the camp season, the time when players go out and show all of the improvement and gains they have made throughout the past few months of the offseason. Let's take a look at some names you may not know yet but will hear on Friday Nights this upcoming season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760046' first='Brayson' last='McIver'] - OL - Butler </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brayson stands at 6'2 and 265 pounds and is coming off of a strong junior year where he was named to the All-Conference Team. He has received interest from some schools, namely Coastal Carolina and Limestone which were his recent visits. He is an extremely physical run blocker at the point of attack and gets off the football with great force. He also excels in the short pull game - on traditional trap plays or on power/counter plays moving up to the 2nd level. He should be a major asset to a college's interior offensive line on the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='731032' first='Evan' last='Taylor'] - CB - Cuthbertson </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'2 and 180 pounds, Taylor has the size and length physically that most college coaches are looking for in their cornerbacks. He does a great job of being disciplined in zone or man coverage, and has strong ball skills at the point of attack, resulting in multiple pass breakups per game that can be seen on his highlight film. He can defend jump ball situations well against taller receivers, with good anticipation and playing through the receivers' hands consistently. He has very good speed and isn't afraid to lock man-to-man to shut down a primary offensive threat. He currently holds offers from East Carolina and William &amp; Mary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elijah Baskin - LB - Chambers </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elijah holds an offer from Charlotte, which must be impressed with what I'm impressed with - an inside linebacker that can really get sideline to sideline and cover a lot of space in a short period of time. At 6'1 and 205 pounds, Elijah does an excellent job in the run game - I love how he is always downhill and attacking the run game. He reads and anticipates very well from that perspective. One thing I will be excited to see is him step out this season and take more of a leadership role now that [player_tooltip player_id='144923' first='Jordan' last='Thompson'] is gone to Middle Tennessee. We will get to know him quickly this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preston Torrence - WR - Ashbrook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 5'10 and 170 pounds, Preston recently picked up an offer from Campbell. He projects as a slot wide receiver with his size in college, and what they have to like is his speed. He is able to get behind corners in 1 on 1 coverage and make big plays down the field. I think he can do some more in his game as well if given the opportunity. He shows good hands and technique on his releases off of the line of scrimmage. I will be interested to see him in camp season this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Solomon Young - DL - Myers Park </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An all-conference performer last season, Young has the size college coaches love at 6'3 and 250 pounds. Some of the things that stand out about Solomon are his strength in shutting down the run game. He sheds blocks well in running situations and closes down the line quickly for his size. He tackles with secure and strong technique, always stopping a ball carrier's forward progress immediately. He has strong quickness off of the football as well, setting him up for game-changing plays in the backfield. I'll be excited to see him after an offseason of work in the weigh[player_tooltip player_id='246436' first='t' last='r']oom to make him even stronger and more explosive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->