Rochester High School Football Stock Risers
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That’s right! More high school football players in the Rochester, NY region whose playing stock is on the rise for them to have a big season this fall. Each of these players below have something to prove, and strides of…
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Continue ReadingThat’s right! More high school football players in the Rochester, NY region whose playing stock is on the rise for them to have a big season this fall. Each of these players below have something to prove, and strides of improvement that they are aiming to make in their game to get them to the next level of collegiate football.
James Poligone
James Poligone
A three-sport athlete in football, baseball, and basketball here with James Poligone who led his team in interceptions with 5 for Fairport High School this past season. When it comes to the game of football, Poligone plays WR and CB. Off the football field, James is an incredible AP and Honors student with a 4.0 GPA. What is even more interesting is James plays double bass in the school’s orchestra and wants to pursue a career as a doctor.
At the CB position, Poligone has a very smooth ability to cover the WR tightly and read the QB at the same time. I was very impressed with the pure athleticism with James to side shuffle in coverage, but also break on the ball with quickness. The natural ability to high point the football and being that aggressive ball hawk deep down the field was shown throughout his film. This is a CB that can be used at a high level in both zone and man-to-man schemes.
On offense, the quickness releasing off the LOS and turning into the breaking point of the route was one of the biggest strengths for Poligone. James knows how to make a quick move off the LOS, even in press situations to give himself that early space of separation between him and the defender. Poligone gave me three goals that he wants to accomplish by the end of the year. Those goals are to record 40 catches at the WR position, to make an all-county team, and lastly James wants to be heavily involved in college recruitment. This is a very talented young man/player on and off the football field.
Twitter: @JamesPoligone
Instagram: @jamespoligone
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15809952/James-Poligone
There is so much athleticism when it comes to this LT and NT named Brandon Long Jr Brandon Long Jr 6’4″ | 335 lbs | OL Gates Chili | 2024 State NY . from Gates Chili High School. When you turn on his tape, the ability to get from one point to the next to produce a block was outstanding to see. Plenty of times, Brandon was able to create that seal for the running back by pulling all the way from the opposite C-gap. This is an incredible run blocker that was able to create so much space for the running back to explode into for a positive gain. Once Long Jr. was able to get his hands on the defender, he was able to handle the defender, with ease. Being able to use his pure size and power to his advantage was a huge strength for Brandon at the point of attack. The key for Long Jr. was his ability to adjust to the defenders in space and climbing/blocking defenders into the second level of the defense. The pure motor and drive to out-will the opposing defender was a huge stand-out that granted Brandon’s team so much success in the trenches. Flipping to the NT/DT position, Long Jr. specialized in being a pure run stopper. Using his pure size of 6’4” and 325-pounds allowed Brandon to take up so much space and clog up the middle of the line. Being able to shoot off his block and get to the RB trying to burst through the line was consistent from Long Jr. on film. This upcoming season, Brandon wants to get an offer to play the game of football at the college level. To play ball at the next level, Long Jr. knows the importance of keeping his body in shape, and gaining as much experience as he can. This is a talented big man that not only has big dreams, but big talent playing the game of football. Twitter: @BrandonlonggcInstagram: @BrandonlonggcHudl: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18412817/Brandon-Long
Highlights
John Swiderski
John Swiderski
As I have stated in the past, kickers are people too, and here is a booming kicker in John Swiderski that stated he is super excited for his senior season at Aquinas Institute High School. Swiderski stated to me that he wants to help his school make a Section V title run, and a State’s run for this upcoming season. In doing so for that title run, John has set goals that he wants to reach by the end of the season. Those goals that Swiderski has are to make any game winning field goal, make every extra point, and have every single one of his kickoffs to be touch backs.
Swiderski played soccer his entire life, until the football season got moved to the spring because of the pandemic. When Swiderski got pulled up to the varsity level, his main focus was being a kicker. This is a very accurate kicker that confidently and consistently was able to bang his field goals through the uprights.
I am excited to see John kick this upcoming season. What is most important to John is kicking at the next level in college. Keeping his grades on point has been a huge point of emphasis to Swiderski as he has a 99 GPA and is taking 3 AP classes.
Twitter: @Johnswid16
Instagram: @johnswiderski_kicking
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15832676/John-Swiderski/about
Brendan Mangone
Brendan Mangone
A young player here in Brendan Mangone who is coming off his JV season as the starting QB but did show a lot of promise to translate over to the varsity level for Rush Henrietta High School. The ceiling is high for Mangone if he continues to put in the work. Mangone has a max bench of 190-pounds, a max squat of 295-pounds, and a max hand clean of 175-pounds. Those are some impressive numbers for a freshman player that will continue to grow.
At the QB spot, Brendan was able to make throws down the field with accuracy. I was impressed with Brendan’s ability to take chances and fit balls into tight windows for huge gains. There was a strong ability to get out of the pocket to avoid pressure, and many times Mangone was able to move the chains with his legs. There was a very fluid ability to work the read option from the not only the pistol but in the shotgun formation as well.
There is some room for improvement, but Brendan has already spoken upon how he wants to have a higher completion percentage than he did this past season. Having less turnovers is key and is one of Brendan’s top goals that her wants to accomplish by the end of the year.
Twitter: @brendanmangone1
Instagram: @brendan_mangone
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16932973/Brendan-Mangone
Ja’yvion Sampson Ja’yvion Sampson 5’11” | 165 lbs | WR University Prep | 2026 State NY is a 5’11 WR for the University of Prep Rochester that is looking to take huge strides next year. This is a young player that has a lot of goals that he knows that if he accomplishes by the end of the year, the result will make him a better football player. Sampson is a dual sport athlete where in addition to the game of football, he plays basketball. After high school, Ja’yvion spoke about how he wants to attend the University of Buffalo and major in their Sport Management program.
When it comes to the WR position, Sampson does a good job at working the CB in the middle of the field. When Ja’yvion releases off the LOS he did a great job of seeking his route and fooling the DB with his quick feet. Sampson high points the football in traffic and can take huge hits. In addition to the WR position, Sampson does play FS as well.
As previously stated, Sampson set out goals for this upcoming season that he wants to accomplish. Those goals are to 1. To be the best teammate/player for his teammates and coaches. 2. To work on his craft and become the top WR/FS in Section V. 3. To become a team captain, and then 4. In this off season to add 10 pounds of muscle onto his frame.
Twitter: @Jaycxppin
Instagram: @Jaycxppin
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17470547/Jayvion-Sampson/about
Tyler Benjamin Tyler Benjamin 6'2" | 220 lbs | QB East | 2025 NY
Tyler Benjamin Tyler Benjamin 6'2" | 220 lbs | QB East | 2025 NY
A player that has not been talked about a lot but did truly show a lot of heart and toughness in his film is Tyler Benjamin Tyler Benjamin 6’2″ | 220 lbs | QB East | 2025 NY from University of Prep Rochester. Tyler is the youngest of four siblings and in addition to football he plays the game of basketball. Benjamin stands in at 6’1” and weighs 201-pounds at the QB position. In addition to the QB position, Benjamin can play the OLB position. When operating at the QB position, the ability to make plays with his legs was one of Tyler’s biggest standouts when playing on the football field. Defenders had a very tough time trying to bring down Benjamin on first contact. The ability to deliver moves such as a deadly stiff arm to break away from tackle attempts is in Tyler’s arsenal. When making throws in the pocket, Benjamin was able to find his guys over the middle of defenses in tight situations. Standing in the pocket and absorbing big hits after releasing the football showed how tough Tyler is.In Tyler’s free time, he loves listening to music and working out to keep his body in top shape for the football season. For the upcoming season, Benjamin said that he wants to be successful with his team and improve off each day to make himself a better player. Twitter: @TylerBenjaminQBInstagram: @ty.benjamin1Hudl: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16797071/Tyler-Benjamin
Xavier White
Xavier White
There is always an enjoyment watching the center position operate because the majority of them have to be quick coming off the snap of the football, which is the case here for Xavier White from Brighton High School. Xavier is a 5’8” junior that weighs in at 216-pounds. Coming into this season, Xavier and his fellow teammates have high goals that they want to achieve. One of those top goals includes ending the year with a championship win. This past season, White did not start at the center spot. Xavier had to win some playing time by working in practice. At the play time that White did have at the center position, Xavier does a good job at fighting the defender within every block in both the pass and run game. When a run was directed to one side of the line, White was able to control his defender and move the defender’s grasps away from the run. The ability to adjust in space was critical in picking up blocks in the passing game for White.This has been a big off season for White where he has been working in the weight room for his preparation to eahe starting center role for Brighton. The final statement that White had for me is that he wants to be a team leader and help mentor younger kids along with helping other varsity players by doing the best he can on any given snap. Twitter: @XavierW_2007Instagram: @xavier_2370Hudl: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17744430/Xavier-White/about