Watch List: Upstate New York 2023
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Each day we are getting closer and closer to the start of the season for these young high school football players. These players below are looking to shine, and are on my watch list this week to see in action…
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Continue ReadingEach day we are getting closer and closer to the start of the season for these young high school football players. These players below are looking to shine, and are on my watch list this week to see in action in a few months
A leader, captain, and a very skilled football player here with Lucas Leone Lucas Leone 5’10” | 215 lbs | LB Aquinas | 2025 State NY from Aquinas Institute. Lucas is 5’10”, weighs 210-pounds, and the majority of his snaps came at the LB position where he was able to release a tremendous amount of pure aggression on opponents. In addition to the LB spot, Leone has had some experience at LS, FB, and even OT.
What stood out the most when taking a long look at Leone’s film at the LB spot was the quickness. The quickness to move off his spot, and change directions in a hurry to make big time plays on the ball carriers was shown throughout. Even when sent on a blitz right on the LOS and through the A-gap, the quickness to fly into the backfield to disrupt plays was key. I was certainly impressed with the type of play that would come from Leone in goal line situations where he was able to plug up holes at a fast rate. The ability to read and react for Lucas was also a major standout as well in his ability to chop down runs. Being able to cover sideline to sideline in having that big time range proves to be an asset for this Aquinas defense.
Even in coverage, Lucas was able to make some impressive plays covering TEs and slot WRs down the field. A few plays even resulted in Lucas walking away with an interception. For this coming season, Lucas has stated his goals are to win sectionals, win states, win defensive player of the year, make first team AGR, and to make first team All-State. Such an impressive tape for this junior LB that offensives are going to hate playing against.
Twitter: @lucas_leone55rnInstagram: @lucas_leone55rnHudl Profile: Lucas Leone Lucas Leone 5’10” | 215 lbs | LB Aquinas | 2025 State NY : https://www.hudl.com/profile/15699307/Lucas-Leone
Highlights
This is the breakaway upcoming junior running back that simply broke away from defenses time and time again this past season for Aquinas Institute. C.J. Robinson C.J. Robinson 5’11” | 170 lbs | RB University Prep | 2025 State NY stands in at 5’11” and weighs 170-pounds at the running back position. Even with those measurable in mind, it is his speed that really separates him on the football field. The ability to cut into and out from holes, even to the point where he could bounce a run to the outside D-gaps was impressive to see. Having a back with outstanding field vision allows for special runs in the open field, as seen here with Robinson. Once C.J. was able to get to the second level of the defense, the defenders had a really tough time trying to catch Robinson to bring him to the ground.
Having great contact balance, the ability to accelerate quickly, and the powerful top end speed were the separating factors for some of Robinson’s biggest house calls. Even in the receiving game, C.J. was a factor. Countless times, C.J. was able to run effective RB screens by selling the act of blocking, slipping out to catch the ball, and then having the patience to allow his blocks to develop for a big-time gain.
College football teams are always looking for running backs that have a high level of intelligence and surely this is one of those types of running backs here with Robinson. For this upcoming season, Robinson wants to rush for 1,500 yards, receive for 500 yards, break the single game rushing record at Aquinas, win a sectional title, and to finally receive his first D1 offer from a school to allow himself to play the game he loves for the foreseeable future.
Twitter: @prowaycj
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15845812/CJ-Robinson/highlights
Shayne Lessar
Shayne Lessar
A big player here that knows how to use his natural 290-pound size to his advantage when playing at the LG or NT spot. In 8 games, Shayne Lessar was able to record 28 total tackles, 10 TFLs, and have 1 sack at the NT position. When it comes to the LG position, Shayne only allowed 1 sack for Brockport High School. Lessar season was cut short due to an LCL injury that required surgery, but now he is already working to bounce back in a huge way in 2023. The goals that Shayne has laid out regarding his play are to increase his pass rush win rate, record more sacks, be a more dominant run blocker, and to be a more proficient pass blocking LG.
Causing problems in the interior of the LOS was evident when Shayne played at the NT spot. The pure power and size stood out so much when double teams were thrown his way when defending the run. At times, Lessar was even able to fight through those double teams to make a tackle on the RB between the A and B gaps. Being able to free up an opening for one of his teammates to make a tackle on the ball carrier was one of Shayne’s biggest strengths.
Similar to the defensive side, at the LG spot, Lessar was able to draw up two defenders on blocks. The best work blocking and taking control of defenders came in the run game by Shayne. Being able to move out on pull action blocks were even produced at a high level here with Lessar. For the upcoming season, it is important for Lessar to help his team get to a positive record and to lead the team in a deeper playoff run.
Twitter: @shayne_lessar
Instagram: @shayne_lessar
Hudl Profile:https://www.hudl.com/profile/15681164/Shayne-Lessar
Jake Broussard
Jake Broussard
One of the most hardworking players that probably has the most passion for the game of football out of any high school football player I have written about yet. Jake Broussard is a 6’2”, 260-pound center that additionally plays on the defensive line for Churchville-Chili. Broussard is an intelligent young man that is on the National Honors Society, is a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award winner, and is a Blue Grey All America. Jake will be entering into his senior year this season and wants to leave with a winning record, a sectional title, and hopes to have the opportunity to compete for a state championship.
At the center position, Jake is a stone wall that was able to absorb so many big-time rushers coming at him in his pass blocking sets. Being able to stay balanced and hold a strong blocking frame was shown at a consistent level with Broussard. The ability to be quick of the snap when reading who to block between both A-gaps was impressive to see. There was so much power when in-line blocking DTs in the run game, it would open up lanes for the ball carrier to explode into. So many times, Jake was shown pancaking defenders into the turf.
From a young age and grade level of 1st-grade, Jake has been playing the game of football. Now, Jake is looking to continue his football career at the next level. Broussard takes care of his body year-round by training to be prepared for the upcoming season. Impressively, Jake is looking at a variety of colleges and has been extremely busy with camps, combines, and junior day visits with teams. Some of the upcoming visits that Broussard has planned include Syracuse, U-Mass, Penn State, and Notre Dame. A very exciting player to see play and root for this upcoming season for Churchville-Chili.
Twitter: @Broussard_87
Instagram: @draftpicknumber1
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/10812692/Jake-Broussard
Aydin Stephens
Aydin Stephens
Webster-Schroeder football has a quality sized RB and OLB here with Aydin Stephens who stands in at 6’0”. Stephen’s is a running back that was able to break tackles at the point of attack when breaking through a lane often. This is not a back that is going to go down on first contact right away and will draw many gang tackles. The ability to slide through a hole with above average speed and put a good juke on a defender coming downfield was present as well.
At the linebacker position, the speed and the ability to have quick feet when coming up to a ball carrier was seen in Aydin’s game. Stephens was able to show off his speed and physicality when making a tackle on a QB who bailed out of the pocket for Greece Olympia. Being able to read and eact was key for Aydin. Knowing how to get low and physical at the point of attack was shown in great form in the play below.
For the upcoming season, Aydin has big goals that he wants to accomplish. Those goals are to have 500 rushing yards, have 10 TDs, 70 tackles, and to win a State Championship with Webster-Schroeder.
Twitter: @aydinstephens
Instagram: @d1visionaydin
Amere Brewer Amere Brewer 5’8″ | 135 lbs | WR Aquinas | 2026 NY is a 5’9”, 140-pound safety and slot CB for Aquinas Institute High School that is looking to improve off his freshman season. This is a young and upcoming DB that put together some impressive plays at the safety spot. Brewer was always sprinting and showing 100% full effort to make a tackle, even when he was on the opposite side of the field. That’s type of effort is what you want to see in your football players and is what Amere is all about.
The ability to come straight up or on the side of the ball carrier low to make a clean tackle was evident throughout Brewer’s tape. Amere was very patient as well when having to cover the deep ball, even being able to time up one play correctly to make a big time INT. Being at the right place at the right time was huge for that INT because of the instincts that Brewer showed.
Brewer is still a young player, but becoming a leader at his age is highly valuable to him. Wherever his team needs him down the road, he is willing to do it to make a Section V title run.
Twitter: @Amere_Brewer2
Instagram: @merexgeez
Hudl Profile: http://www.hudl.com/profile/18527798
Antonio Rivera
Antonio Rivera
Antonio Rivera is a young and quick DT that was able to make a lot of impressive plays rushing from the 1, 2, and 3 techniques of the defensive line for Churchville-Chili. In addition to the DT position, Rivera also plays OLB and FB for his team. The ability to shoot right off the snap to cause havoc into the backfield to disrupt a play was evident throughout Rivera’s tape. Being active with his hands and being able to get skinny was a huge key to success for Antonio.
At the OLB position, Rivera’s ability to read and react was shown. Being able to trust his eyes to then fire at the ball carrier granted him success in quality tackles. Two of the best traits that Antonio has are his passion and drive. Throughout Antonio’s games, he was always giving full effort by chasing down ball carriers that would run by or would be on the other hash mark. Not giving up and believing that he can make the tackle was outstanding to see.
Training and practicing hard before the season starts are the two main goals that Rivera has set for himself. Being prepared before the season starts is highly important to Antonio because he wants to have his best season yet. Rivera spoke to me about how he wants to save money for the American Dream Bowl in January 2024 to showcases his talents to more coaches around the country. Getting in contact with more college coaches to build a name for himself to lead to future football is what Antonio wants and is playing for.
Twitter: @Tone52nice
Instagram: @stier._.tone
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/12831530/Antonio-Rivera