Impact 2024 Prospects Set To Dominate The State
In this article:
These five players made a big splash their Junior year, each becoming all-league performers and boosting their recruiting stock. They all have big-time potential at the next level and are among the best overall players in the state. They’re also…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThese five players made a big splash their Junior year, each becoming all-league performers and boosting their recruiting stock. They all have big-time potential at the next level and are among the best overall players in the state. They’re also all relatively early in their recruiting process- most have taken visits and a few have offers, but are awaiting several more before they narrow their choices down over the next year.
Darrell Gipson Darrell Gipson 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Timberline | 2024 State WA Jr
Darrell Gipson Darrell Gipson 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Timberline | 2024 State WA Jr
Darrell Gipson Darrell Gipson 6’3″ | 235 lbs | DL Timberline | 2024 State WA is a prolific OLB for Timberline with an exciting toolset to go with his foundational awareness. He comes forward with good pad level and entrenches himself at effective angles when setting edges. Multi-sport athlete who plays good basketball too, and utilizes his athleticism to dominate OL of several skill sets at the point of attack. On offense, he’s a deep-threat weapon as a TE where he’s outstanding on seams. Gipson took a visit to Washington State this weekend and has received interest from several other D1 universities, and should garner tons of offers next year.
Luvens Valcin Luvens Valcin 6’2″ | 220 lbs | ATH Auburn | 2024 State WA is as explosive of an athlete as this state has. He is too hard to guard in both basketball and football because his jumping and fast twitch ability are too much to stay with. He overpowers good players in both sports as a WR and PF,with extreme jumping ability to catch the football in traffic and to turn lobs into alley-oop slam dunks. He moves well laterally while holding tons of size in addition to his jumping ability, and is well-rounded as an athlete with passion for the game giving him an it-factor. His tape shows his physicality and all-around video game-esque aggression at the catch point. Valcin took a Washington State visit this week and is in the conversation for best WR in the entire state heading into his senior year.
Isaac Syph Isaac Syph 5’9″ | 165 lbs | ATH Emerald Ridge | 2024 State WA goes both ways for Kennedy and is also a weapon on special teams. The 5’9” junior has breakaway speed and big-time jumping ability with an opportunistic play-style, and he feasts on mistakes with a quick processor allowing him to see plays develop early. On offense, he’s as explosive as WRs come with a surprising catch radius due to consistent-finger catches.. On defense, he’s a corner who won’t get beat and will threaten turnovers. As a returner, Syph takes advantage of his low center-of-gravity as he ducks in and out of pockets of space others simply can’t. He follows his blockers and controls his speed so well, he can look like he’s slowing down and then hit a crease at full speed. He took a recent visit to Colorado State and could be one of the top playmakers in the state this year.
Elijah Napihaa Elijah Napihaa 6’3″ | 320 lbs | OL Garfield | 2024 State WA brings a world of hurt to Centers around his league, who have to compete with a powerful get off, great pad level from a big DT playing light at 230lb, and a bag of tricks that keeps them guessing. He has an athletic stance, where he keeps his weight back well and explodes forward from his legs which begin athletically bent with his feet naturally wide. He can get through the line quick, but sticks with plays due to an impressive motor. Napihaa simply wraps up ballcarriers who can’t juke him when he meets them early in the backfield and gives his team great chances to rip fumbles. His low center-of-gravity keeps him in plays even when double-teamed, and his base is stout enough to keep his gap occupied for several seconds as it develops. Napihaa will play for Garfield his Senior year after transferring from Kentwood, where he compiled interest from several D1 universities and took a visit to Oregon.
Bryson Ross Bryson Ross 6’3″ | 180 lbs | DB Eastside Catholic | 2024 State WA is a tenacious DB with a knack for sticking with his man. He is methodical in his coverages, taking decisive footwork to close on receivers or when opening up to give himself a cushion. He has great play recognition and puts himself in good positions to hinder or intercept routes. He still has room to grow into his nice 6’3” frame, where he plays light at a respectable 180lbs, and seems to have good hip mobility as well. While Ross does a great job of staying on a man, he could improve his downfield ability to keep a hand on and see the QB through the end of the play. He could net several more interceptions with a bit more physicality and downfield technique. This skillset could make him one of the better corners in the state as he’ll be one of Eastside Catholic’s key seniors this year.