Freaky Friday: Rising Freshmen Ready for Friday Night Lights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we look at some athletes who were first identified as studs in 8th grade by our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/next/">Prep Redzone Next</a> staff. This crop of talent mostly played freshman ball last fall. A year later, these athletes are ready to step into the limelight, shatter expectations, and make their names known on the state level as top recruits at their position on the 2026 prospect board. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212385"],"_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":"While [player_tooltip player_id='284069' first='Najee' last='Calhoun'] tears up the turf in South Jersey, Bergen Catholic has a rising freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='212385' first='Dante' last='Kain'] who looks to do the same up north. This Crusader who just finished his freshman season measures at 5'11u0022 195lbs.rnrnAs a runner, Kain hits the hole at top speed and moves his feet extremely quickly. Although he runs somewhat upright, he is often the fasted player on the field. Kain shakes off tacklers by turning to limit his surface area and utilizing the stiff arm to create and maintain separation. Power is something he offers too as we see Kain, all by himself, move piles after contact in the face of 4-on-1 situations. Before doing so, he prioritizes ball security by wrapping the rock with two arms. He is a freight train as a lead blocker when asked to pitch in for his teammates. Versatility is also a part of Kain's game as well, lining up at WR where he also possesses skills. Winning jump balls is something he has shown to do, as well as coming back to the ball when it is in fight. In the open field, Kain is shifty and can make defenders miss. Kain does a lot of great things on film so well at such an early age; however, colleges would love to see clips of him in pass protection to make his film truly complete.rnrnPerhaps two of the top backs in the class of 2026, I will be curious if Kain and Calhoun create a budding, competitive intra-state rivalry for the next several years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6453ef28403af"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17907951/635f3e3906614b0f30201a0c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6453ef28403fe"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DanteKain2","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/DanteKain2 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212386"],"_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":"This LB plays u003cemu003elike u003c/emu003ea hermit and also u003cemu003efor u003c/emu003ethe Hermits. At 5'11u0022 205lbs St. Augustine enlists the services of [player_tooltip player_id='212386' first='Donovan' last='Linthicum'] who looks to protect the solitude of their home field.rnrnLinthicum has clearly been playing LB for a very long time and has been coached up very well, for he makes crystal-clear reads. He moves with the snap both forward and in the direction the lineman's feet take him. By the time he takes his second step, Linthicum appears to be at full speed blasting through a hole. With the ability to play either off the edge or in the middle, Linthicum takes on blockers with his hands so he can shed them, all the while maintaining his gap arm free to make a tackle. As great of a run stuffer he is, Linthicum's film would benefit from including clips of him in pass coverage.rnrnLinthicum has the potential to be one of the best pure run-stopping LBs in the class of 2026. Stay tuned to see how his prep career progresses and how he develops.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6453ef2840453"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17978287/6371b09390ef4e0ae85b5bc8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6453ef2840472"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/blonde_polamalu","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/blonde_polamalu </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402204"],"_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":"One thing that West Orange seems to do is constantly retool with new Mountaineers who are equally as dangerous playmakers as their predecessors. At 5'10u0022 170lbs and perhaps their QB-of-the-future, [player_tooltip player_id='402204' first='David' last='Moore Jr.'] looks to continue the lineage of explosive talents.rnrnMoore is electric with the ball in his hands. He is quick and can effortlessly shrug off arm tackles. Also a safety, Moore is fluid in rolling and flipping his hips when in coverage. This prevents him from often being out of position when playing the pass and avoids him getting beat. In pursuit when approaching the sideline, he looks to punish the ball carrier by laying a big hit. I will reserve judgement on his ability as a passer because he does not have many clips of this in his highlight tape. Needless to say, this is something we need to see more of should he be their QB for the foreseeable future.rnrnWith a recent history of athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='796165' first='Terrell' last='Wilfong'], [player_tooltip player_id='648447' first='Jarvis' last='Jones'], and [player_tooltip player_id='301140' first='Saboor' last='Karriem'] donning the navy and light blue, Moore looks to carry the torch of excellence from those who came before him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6453ef28404bf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18030929/6331ed400dc13a0d740a7910' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6453ef28404dd"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DavidMooreJr10","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/DavidMooreJr10 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402206"],"_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 second Crusader to make today's list is the 6'1u0022 200lb d-lineman [player_tooltip player_id='402206' first='DeAndre' last='Orgill']. Orgill also primarily plays TE for Bergen Catholic on offense and occasionally RB, spelling fellow freshman teammate [player_tooltip player_id='212385' first='Dante' last='Kain'].rnrnOrgill does a nice job of getting hands on the man in front of him and driving him backwards to make a new LOS on each play. Anything along the perimeter to his side - toss, bubble, rockets, sweeps - he hustles his tail off to get in on the action. One thing I appreciated is that as his film went on, you see that he became more aggressive and physical when taking on kick out blockers as the season progressed. This is a big key to his growth as a defensive player. On offense he sells route combinations nicely, particularly a stick to a vert. As a back he profiles as a one-cut power back who can win in the open field. One immediate area for growth is to tweak his defensive stance. Be plays a bit tight, but if he were to uncoil himself just a bit, he will generate much more power, explosion, twitchiness, and violence when he comes out of his stance.rnrnWith the potential to be a defensive cornerstone and the versatility to be a mismatch nightmare on offense, anticipate Orgill filling up stat sheets as he harasses everyone on the field.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6453ef2840581"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17907914/639340f8b01963051c929f79' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6453ef284059b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DeAndre_Orgill3","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/DeAndre_Orgill3 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402205"],"_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":"Paladin [player_tooltip player_id='402205' first='Dazir' last='Williams'] does a little bit of everything for Paramus Catholic. At 5'11u0022 178lbs, he has shown that he can play WR, RB, and safety while being equally adept at making plays at each position.rnrnWhen split out wide, Williams sells his fakes hard and gets defenders to bite. His work does not stop there though. After he sells that fake, he builds another route on top of it to bust a big play. Speed is not a problem, as many times he out runs the distance of the pass and has to work back toward it. Defensively, he does not let WRs get behind him and concedes a trail position so he can undercut passes for tips and interceptions. He is also outstanding as a running back, looking as if he was shot out of a cannon hitting the hole very quickly and at full speed. This assessment was based on a very limited sample size. A talent like this, Williams should be able to make one of the most exciting tapes in recent memory.rnrnWilliams is a piece that can do many wonderful things at many positions on the field. He is destined to be a big part of Paramus Catholic's weekly game plan and future the next several seasons.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6453ef2840524"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15214197/634c20da3deb2e12c411a3b3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6453ef284053f"} /-->