Friday is for the Freshman: ’26 Prospects Ready for Friday Nights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As first identified by our outstanding team at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/next/">Prep Redzone Next</a> in 8th grade or below, this next batch of athletes just completed their freshman seasons. Each gifted in their own unique way, we fully expect these young talents to break through on the varsity lineup in 2023, if they have not already. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Familiarize yourself with these names. In a few short years, they will be high on college recruiting boards by the time they are seniors in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402202"],"_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":"The pipeline at DePaul Catholic stays flush with talent. The most recent addition is the 5'10u0022 160lb [player_tooltip player_id='402202' first='Cory' last='Davis']. This DB and WR looks to lead the Spartans at the skill positions for years to come.rnrnOn defense Davis typically plays off in coverage. This allows him to see plays develop in front of him, as well as break on the ball. He can easily slip blockers along the perimeter, forcing screens and runs back inside where his help is. Offensively Davis looks a tad bit faster. He has a smooth, fluid release and is a long strider. DePaul likes to run him on deep crossing routes where he usually wins nearly 40 yards from where he initially lined up. I would love to see this rising sophomore clean up his positioning and footwork on defense. Eliminating false steps will help his fluidity on defense and make him ready for the lights.rnrnTalented and gifted, DePaul has another great prospect who they can look to continue their tradition of excellence with. Davis has that much upside.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6442d29ed36ae"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17822402/63473d0f5ca93c1068ae1d3d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6442d29ed373b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CoryDavis25","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CoryDavis25 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["341119"],"_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":"At 6 foot 290lbs, Saint Thomas Aquinas has a potential three-year varsity starter waiting for the opportunity to earn a spot in rising freshman [player_tooltip player_id='341119' first='Caden' last='Sternlieb']. Sternlieb also wrestles for the Trojans.rnrnFor such a young player there are many glows to his game. First thing I noticed was that Sternlieb executes a nice skip-pull on power. He also understands that if d-linemen want to run away from the play, let them. Another thing I was actually u003cemu003ereally u003c/emu003esurprised to see was that for such a young player, he does a great job keeping his eyes up in order to pick up line stunts. More impressive, he knew to put this clip on his film - which is something I do not see much of from seniors! We talked about his skip-pull, but Sternlieb has quick feet when working to protect his gap in pass protection. He has the size to win on down blocks and is locked hip-to-hip with his adjacent linemen when double-teaming. A few things for Sternlieb to clean up, which he has plenty of time to, is to keep his base at all times, work his hands, and lower his pad level. Should be do this, Sternlieb will be an absolute bulldawg in the trenches.rnrnI hope that Sternlieb earns plug-and-play status this coming school year. Beyond that, I hope that the Trojan's [player_tooltip player_id='723589' first='Elijah' last='Thomas'] takes Sternlieb under his wing to help pass the proverbial torch to the next generation of linemen at Saint Thomas Aquinas.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6442d29ed37e9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17795666/63974e4c041dee0664944091' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6442d29ed381b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Cadens1227","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Cadens1227 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284058"],"_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":"DePaul Catholic might have their own set of u0022bad boysu0022 on their 2026 defense. We already introduced you to [player_tooltip player_id='402202' first='Cory' last='Davis'], but the standout DB is joined by outstanding LB [player_tooltip player_id='284058' first='Cartier' last='Canady']. Although he lists himself as a DB on Twitter, all of the 5'9u0022 190lb Canady's high school highlights are at LB.rnrnCanady seems to be the fastest, most explosive athlete on today's list. When playing pass coverage he keeps his head on a swivel, looking for crack blocks and crossers alike. When rushing off the edge Canady seems simply unblockable. In the rare event he does get blocked, he knows to engage and get his hands on the offensive player so he has a chance to shed and pursue. Being such a young player, Canady will wait for a gap to open and then speed through it to make a tackle. Having just completed is freshman year u003cemu003eand u003c/emu003ea position change, Canady will only get more comfortable making reads and taking read steps. Once this is more natural to him, expect Canady to be one of the top two-way LBs in the state by 2026.rnrnWith two big-time, highly reel defenders on the brink of playing varsity, points against DePaul Catholic's defense will be tough to come by in future seasons. The only question left to answer is: between Canady and Davis, is who is Mike and who is Marcus?rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6442d29ed38b6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15129241/6420d330f326630a487e406d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6442d29ed38e8"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ImCartierC1","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ImCartierC1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402199"],"_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":"Winslow High School has another Eagle ready to protect the nest over the next three years. At 6'1u0022 220lb they have a ready-made center in [player_tooltip player_id='402199' first='Cayden' last='Gray'].rnrnGray gets to the second level u003cemu003every u003c/emu003eeasily. In fact, he gets there so quickly that he does so before many LBs are able to make their reads. This puts the defender in a vulnerable position, often ending with Gray putting them on thier backs. Gray is all about that action. Once he lays a nasty block, he goes and finds some more work. He has shown to throw a good double team time and again; however, what I think will help Gray the most is to improve synchronously snapping the ball and taking his first step. Should they become simultaneous, Gray's game will explode and he will be even faster to the point of attack.rnrnGray's prep career is off to a promising start. He has the size and too often colleges are looking to recruit true centers. With a solid freshman campaign and varsity-ready size, Gray should be a solid college prospect in coming years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6442d29ed3971"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15881306/638f55374deb6313b8976236' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6442d29ed399e"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CaydenGray56","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CaydenGray56 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212381"],"_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":"Asbury Park has more to offer than just The Stone Pony's Summer Stage. Get familiar with the Bishops' 5'6u0022 185lb RB and LB [player_tooltip player_id='212381' first='Amiere' last='Massie'].rnrnFor his size Massie is faster than most on the field. He is elusive and will use the stiff arm to create separation and space. What shows that Massie has the potential to be special is how easily he can stop, change directions, and then hit full speed again. As a LB Massie hustles all over the field. You see this on kickoff, as he is constantly the first defender pressing the ball. In time, Massie will become more comfortable reading his keys and more explosive as he continues to grow.rnrnGlad to see that Asbury Park's newest feature attraction has arrived. It is, however, for a limited time as he is already entering is sophomore campaign.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/18605304/Ameire-Massie/highlightsu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6442d29ed3a23"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Nocap_H3","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Nocap_H3 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->