New York Freshman Friday VI

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the recent release of the 2026 rankings, which you can check out here. I decided to make this Freshman Friday all about the rankings, and since it is the 6th edition of Freshman Friday, cover the top 6 guys in the class. This is one of the most advanced groups of freshmen New York has seen in recent years, and multiple guys even have multiple Division One offers. This group will have plenty of opportunities to play at the next level, and there even will be multiple prep schools and powerhouse football high schools that recruit these guys to switch schools before they head to the next level. For now, all five represent New York and do so very well and showcase what is looking like a very talented class of 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284082"],"_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='284082' first='Preston' last='Carey'] is not only the top player in New York in the 2026 cycle but as recruiting sites start to come out with National rankings for the 2026 class, I would expect [player_tooltip player_id='284082' first='Preston' last='Carey']'s name to be at/near the top of many of them. Carey not only has the P5 size and P5 offers to back it up but when you watch the tape or even see him in person (I was able to twice) he has a much more developed game than just size and youth. His upfield burst is really nice and his ability to work through double teams using length and strength is impressive. Most offenses throw multiple blockers at Carey because left 1v1 he has really nice counter moves and sheds blocks really well due to his upper body strength. Not many in the state have or have ever had a skillset this advanced at such a young age. Carey has the measurables, skills, and strength to be a national known defensive tackle in the coming years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["410677"],"_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":"While one top talent resides in Long Island, the other resides all the way in Western New York where [player_tooltip player_id='410677' first='De'Mari' last='Clemons'] has made waves amongst P5 schools in the Northeast. The talented freshman DB was a key defender in Bennett's state championship run and Clemons shows some really dominant athleticism and coverage skills on tape. Clemons also has the ability to play some top NY competition where former teammate and current teammate [player_tooltip player_id='367395' first='Jayden' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='451483' first='Ja'Meer' last='Thomas'] give him some of New Yorks most dangerous offensive weapons to go against on the day-to-day. Clemons has room to grow in his game which makes him having several P5 offers and interest even more impressive. Added more physical strength and press coverage ability would really round out his skills as a corner. Clemons in a normal year would be good enough to be the #1 in New York but this freshman class is very very top heavy. Also, I would not be surprised to see Clemons or Carey leave New York just like Ellis Robinson IV did after his sophomore year at Iona Prep.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["402273"],"_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":"New York not only had some really impressive Freshman running backs this season but there is a young and hungry group who are freshman ready to make a name for themselves. However, this season not many blew up like [player_tooltip player_id='402273' first='Tyshawn' last='Bent'] did. Bent was one of the most dominant running backs in the PSAL and earned a couple DI offers for what he put on tape. There is some really good traits their such as speed and change of direction that not many New York players can match in addition to really good patience and vision once he gets the ball. Bent runs with low pads and a good center of gravity and showcased really good contact balance. Bent showcases a really well rounded developed skillset that will only continue to improve as he develops his athleticism.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["505856"],"_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":"WR1 in New York usually ends up at a solid program and the top freshman receiver likely will as well. Hampton got a Buffalo Offer this fall but just recently got his first P5 offer from West Virginia. A recruitment that could blow up very quickly Hampton is already one of the best WRs in the state regardless of class. Hampton has good quickness, some really nice hands and a vertical leaping ability to make tough catches and do so consistently. As a route runner he shows up and excels in 7v7 and regularly beat corners last fall. Of the top 4, Hampton may play in the least competitive class but he dominates there and his performances for CTC in 7v7 confirm his athleticism and ability to create seperation.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["402266"],"_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='402266' first='Jarrett' last='Serate'] had the tough task of facing some of the top OL in the state as just a freshman. Right after the CHSFL the PSAL consistently sends OL to the next level especially amongst the top few teams. Serate not only held his own against some of New Yorks best but showed on tape he can use quickness and burst to make plays in the backfield. Serate doesn't just eat blocks but he gets by blockers and blows up plays. Serate already has good size and figures to continue to grow and add strength and length. There is room to develop his game as a pass rusher but Serate already shows a solid ability to finish the QB and can make plays outside of the pocket. More refined pass rush moves would certainly help his game grow. Overall, the size and the run defense are a big reason he makes the top five but there is potential to grow into a position even higher on this list.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["508301"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Not many players have two full seasons of starting experience headed into their sophomore year. [player_tooltip player_id='508301' first='Zayden' last='Walters'] does, and it is not just because he had the size to, he immediately became one of the best OL in section V when he stepped on the field as an 8th grader. Walters has really good feet and drive and moves guys consistently. There is really good hip flexibility allowing him to get low and often is able to win because he gets up and under smaller players, a skillset not many OL have. Walters is agile as well, most of his pass blocking reps he sits back and just stalks the DL/OLB and mirrors there movement to stay in front. Walters is an impactful run defender on the other side of the ball but his ability to move and use athleticism project better as an OL. Walters has grown from that 8th grade year to this past freshman season in his technique and efficiency using his hands and steps as a blocker. The trajectory is upward and Walters is a top prospect in this class.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-643967c6133e4"} /-->