New York Freshman Friday IV

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Freshman Friday, where we take a look at some prospects from the class of 2026. Some of these guys had big roles last season and have a bunch of film while some are still younger prospects who saw very limited time on the field but have tons of potential. This week we have a good mix of regions with players from Buffalo, Rochester, New York City, Upstate NY, and the Long Island Regions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402272"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='402272' first='Stephen' last='Violetta'] spent last season with St. Peter's as a OL/DL and with only limited film it is hard to make a full projection but Violetta looks to be one of the better big guys in the class of 2026. He will be moving to Curtis for this upcoming season and joining another very talented freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='402266' first='Jarrett' last='Serate']. Violetta has a big frame at 6'1, 335lbs but for a guy his size moves very well. There is a lot for the Curtis coaching staff to work with and while Violetta can play on both sides of the ball, I would expect him to become one of the top interior lineman prospects in this class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["505865"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='505865' first='Jaxon' last='Bernas'] is one of the top names in western New York in this class. Bernas played linebacker for Pittsford and although only 5'11 185lbs Bernas has great athleticism and his instincts are much further along than you would expect a freshman's to be. Bernas lives in the backfield and consistency showcases the ability to make plays coming off the edge or firing through inside gaps. Bernas is a great athlete who can still develop as an athlete and grow into more typical linebacker measurable. The skillset is there, and the size is close but as only a freshman time is on Bernas side.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["505860"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='505860' first='Julani' last='Graham'] was an offensive weapon for Middletown. The Freshman played some TE, FB, RB, and some LB on the other side of the ball. On offense, Graham has good speed and defenses always need multiple defenders to take him down. He has a really nice stiff arm move to keep guys off him and is very north and south oriented consistently inviting contact. Graham has a lot of potential as he continues to add strength and explosiveness to his game.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["473976"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='473976' first='Jacob' last='Butler'] has elite speed and shows elite playmaking skills with that speed as just a freshman. Butler is small but he is extremely explosive and is one of the best players in New York when given the ball in space. Simon is a really good route runner and excels creating seperation down the field. However, where he is most dangerous could be in the return game when he can get the ball and see the entire field and use his vision, quickness, and elite cutting ability to make guys miss and find running lanes. Athletically, Butler already has the technical traits but adding size and continuing to grow will be factors in his ceiling.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["473979"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='473979' first='Justus' last='Kleitz'] was one of the best if not the best freshman quarterback in the state in terms of his production last season. Over 2,000 yards passing and 24TDs for a freshman are huge numbers, especially when you consider how much his team ran the ball with start RB [player_tooltip player_id='450892' first='Trevor' last='Barry']. Kleitz has a smooth release and has good arm strength for only a freshman. His poise in the pocket is also really developed for a class of 2026 kid and there are a ton of traits to like. Kleitz does lose his top receiver from last season and over 1200 receiving yards to graduation but there is some young talent in the pipeline at Iroquois that Kleitz has shown success with.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6439674d53247"} /-->