Round Two Recap: Six Standout Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second round of the playoffs was full of exciting matchups that featured numerous athletes worthy of adding to recruiting boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Between the games watched in person and the broadcast rewatches, the six names mentioned below are just a few players who had standout performances in the second week of the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1406063' first='Jack' last='Blais']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mountain Vista","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Blais is an electrifying runner with outstanding vision and explosive acceleration. His ability to see and anticipate open running lanes before cutting back and exploiting over-pursuing defenders allows him to make big plays while racking up yards. He is a shifty running back with the physicality of a downhill runner, making him a difficult ball carrier to bring down with just one hit. Blais had an outstanding game in his team's second-round win, adding to his stock value as a prospect for the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655401c491693"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["216202"],"_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":"Smith is the perfect example of what a player with an unwavering motor looks like. He is a vocal leader who plays every snap with the same fire and intensity he brings to the sideline. His willingness to play each snap until the whistle makes him a difficult blocker to get around for the entirety of the play. Being a team-first player who is eager to contribute in any way landed him on the defensive side of the ball at times, where he showed his versatility while proving himself a true asset to the team. Smith is an impressive athlete who is taking his talents to Bates College, where he will undoubtedly continue to shine.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655401c4916fb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["448875"],"_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":"Smiley is an under-the-radar player with the makings of a true sleeper prospect. He is a defensive back who covers like a free safety, has the physical techniques of a cornerback, and plays with the ferocity of a nickel corner. His competitive mindset and athletic abilities make him a standout on offense and special teams. In Saturday's playoff win, Smiley made multiple plays that helped to get the defense off the field and set the tone for the rest of the team. With Smiley being a low-flier on the radar, now is the perfect time to recruit this difference-maker.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655401c491751"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1088153,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Amari Wilson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fruita Monument","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Wilson is a baller who immediately passes the eye test. He has a solid build with the athleticism that makes him even more impressive. His performance on Saturday may not have been enough to secure a victory, but it was nothing less than impressive. There were multiple times when it looked as if he was going to get taken down in the backfield, but his elusiveness and talents as a runner allowed him to make big plays out of broken situations. Wilson is a multi-position player with a strong arm and all the intangibles of a next-level player, making him a must-know prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655401c4917e3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1089227' first='Deacon' last='Schmitt']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Windsor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Schmitt is a young offensive lineman with a limitless ceiling. His imposing size makes him an immediate standout, while his ability to be a force on the field makes him a spotlight-worthy prospect. He does a fantastic job of landing powerful strikes and forcibly moving his opponents to open up running lanes. Schmitt displayed a vast collection of skills and qualities seen in elite recruits who go on to have successful careers, making him a prospect to recruit right now","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655401c491872"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["595715"],"_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":"Branham is a powerful linebacker with a well-rounded set of skills that make him a prospect with significant upside. Even though his team did not come away with the win on Friday night, Branham had an excellent showing that included a well-played interception that allowed him to show off his talents as a coverage defender. The hard-hitting linebacker has been a consistent playmaker these last two seasons, reinforcing his value as a legitimate college prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655401c4918c5"} /-->