New Kids on the Block: Top Breakout Prospects to Watch This Fall

<p>Almost as certain as death and taxes, there always seems to be a handful of players that take their game to the next level and raise more than a few eyebrows in the process. Without a doubt, there were plenty of stellar performances throughout the course of the 2022 season from prospects who seemingly came out of nowhere, but it is now time to turn the page and take a glimpse at the fresh faces who will have plenty of opportunities this upcoming fall. </p>   <p></p>   <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='527118' first='Kullen' last='Lerma'], Legacy </strong></p>   <p>One of the more underrated quarterback prospects entering the 2023 season, one look at [player_tooltip player_id='527118' first='Kullen' last='Lerma']'s game has many college coaches and scouts intrigued. After attempting only ten passes in his sophomore campaign, Lerma took a giant leap in his junior season by throwing 17 touchdowns and racking up 1,434 yards through the air. With more experience bound to come his final year of high school ball, Lerma's overall throwing mechanics should only improve come fall time. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kullen_lerma/status/1592303063142109184 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='696906' first='Jordan' last='Ochoa'], Castle View </strong></p>   <p>Racking up a whopping 64 tackles from the defensive line position, Ochoa often puts on an impressive impersonation of a black hole in space devouring anything in its wake. On tape, Ochoa does an excellent job in shedding blocks and also getting his big mitts up to knock down balls at the line of scrimmage. Standing at 6'5" and weighing in at 225 pounds, this Castle View product is not here to mess around. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Passrush4L/status/1640057263934124033 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='232186' first='Brock' last='Kolstad'], Fairview </strong></p>   <p>As feisty as they come, running backs and wide receivers alike need to keep their heads on a swivel whenever Mr. Kolstad is hovering the middle of the football field. Known for his big hits and his ability to set the tone defensively, Kolstad is the heartbeat of a defense that should be a stingy one in 2023. One underrated ability in Kolstad's game? Try his sneaky lateral speed that helps him abundantly in pass coverage. </p>   <p></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LemmingReport/status/1639457176195571712 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='232160' first='Max' last='Mervin'], Ponderosa </strong></p>   <p>Arguably the most dynamic playmaker that the Ponderosa roster has to offer, Mervin is like a Swiss Army Knife when it comes to his ability to lineup at multiple positions on the offensive side of the ball. With seven touchdown grabs in 2023, Mervin also remarkably threw five touchdowns through the air to go along with an additional pair of scores on the ground. Simply put, this young man has a nose for the end zone, and it also helps that he is a fundamentally sound route-running receiver that can find the soft spot of a defense with ease. </p>   <p></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/max_mervin/status/1571527354161184768 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id='277534' first='Charlie' last='Eckhardt'], Arapahoe </strong></p>   <p>At first glance, [player_tooltip player_id='277534' first='Charlie' last='Eckhardt'] can blow the top off of a defense at any given moment. In fact, Eckhard's speed is so swift that he also excelled A year ago, it was the soon-to-be senior that compiled over 550 receiving yards to go along with four touchdown grabs. Just about four months later, and Eckhardt certainly has his sights set on becoming one of the top receivers that the state of Colorado has to offer. Not to mention, but the Arapahoe standout possesses incredible hand-eye coordination, as he rarely drops anything that is thrown his way. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/FanVuSports/status/1603047498041462784 </div></figure>   <p></p>   <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OL [player_tooltip player_id='323104' first='Maxwell' last='Parrott'], Cherry Creek </strong></p>   <p>You thought i was gonna totally ignore the big fellas didn't you? Not so fast, my friend. One of my personal favorite hog mollies up front that has the potential for a breakout season, [player_tooltip player_id='323104' first='Maxwell' last='Parrott'] is among a ferocious offensive line room at Cherry Creek that boasts plenty of Division-I talent. When it comes to Parrott's game, there is no question that the senior boasts a stout frame that he uses to his advantage. In addition to his sheer strength, don't be shocked if he sees more snaps on the defensive line as well. The sky is truly the limit for this young man heading into his final year of high school ball! </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MaxParrott1/status/1602454199286931456 </div></figure>

Almost as certain as death and taxes, there always seems to be a handful of players that take their game to the next level and raise more than a few eyebrows in the process. Without a doubt, there were plenty of stellar performances throughout the course of the 2022 season from prospects who seemingly came out of nowhere, but it is now time to turn the page and take a glimpse at the fresh faces who will have plenty of opportunities this upcoming fall.