Connecticut H.S. Semifinals: Prospects to Know…

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, I will preview five prospects that caught my eye during this past weekend's CIAC semifinal action, and briefly detail what was seen that stands out in their skill set. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["999492"],"_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":"Brady GambeernrnThe junior rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. His rushes included runs of 7 and 11 yards for fourth-down conversions. He also threw a touchdown pass; and had a late interception in a 21-o win for his team. u0022Gambee flashed a bit of dual-threat skills to help lead his team to a win.rnrnHe carries a large frame at 6'2u0022 with a very strong lower body to deliver blows to any defenders that attempt to tackle him. He is a bit raw as a passer but shows as the best pure athlete on the field for his team and possesses decent size/speed combinations.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656f35465e8a2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16334870/656de3cef55f8b0d2cf7cbf4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656f35465e8f2"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1037964"],"_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":"Amir KnightonrnrnThe rising junior coming off a year where he had major surgery to a knee, stepped up huge for his team. He rushed for 288 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries in a win for his team during semi final game action.rnrnKnighton finished the regular season with 1,055 yards on the ground and has added 434 yards in playoff wins.  He has also totaled 33 touchdowns this season. His 33 touchdowns are his team's single-season record.rnrnHis speed pops in the open field.  He has another gear of acceleration it seems when being chased by defenders. He makes guys miss with an effective jab step. He is very difficult to tackle in open space.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656f35465e94c"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["541733"],"_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":"Caleb SmithrnrnHe rushed for three touchdowns and also threw a touchdown pass to lead his team to a semi-final win.  He became his team's All-Time Passing Yard Leader with (5,054 Yards). His brother [player_tooltip player_id='734403' first='Nathan' last='Smith'] caught the 57-yard reception that broke the record.  The senior totaled 3025 passing yards and 27 Td's during regular season play this season. he also had 797 rushing yards and 18 rushing td's.rnrnA fierce competitor with a command presence is what stands in his skill set.   seen as a Dual-Threat QB.   A pure athlete on the field in every game and possesses average size/speed combinations. Can throw the deep out, come back, dig, and seam route with a slight loft. He appears to have sufficient arm strength. Has the proficient ability to throw receivers open and execute the back shoulder throw.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656f35465e98f"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1012159"],"_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":"Aidan Dolanrnrnu0022Dolanu0022 has had repeated Top Performances this season including two early September performances that got him off to a great start.  This past weekend, he ran for 170 yards on just six carries in a win over for his team. The performance gave him 1,755 yards this season on 251 rushes. His efforts broke his school record of u003ca href=u0022http://tigerpridefootball.com/u0022u003e1,672 yardsu003c/au003e in the 1997 season. The senior Rb started the 2023 season by completing 39 passes from 70 attempts for a total of 627 yards passing in just three games.rnrnHis skill set has many values such as tough and fast runner with ability to break multiple tackles and most second level defenders. He has obvious quickness to elude defenders. He is shifty with an effective jab step that can make defenders miss in the open field or within close proximities. Flashes decent speed.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656f35465e9d8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14488347/656e1044f55f8b0d2cf7f8bd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656f35465e9f7"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["732820"],"_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":"He is another 2023 prospect who had several weekly repeated notable performances. THis past weekend he rushed for two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score and the last touchdown. He threw two touchdown passes, for 77 and 21 yards. He then threw a two-point conversion pass to solidify a win for his team. He has made 198 attempts and completed 117 of those attempts for a total of 1866 total passing yards and 21 TD's this season. He has also carried the ball 116 times for 727 yards and 7 rushing TD's.  An impressive statistical season for this senior.rnrnHis pocket awareness is a solid trait he uses to his advantage. He can escape the pocket and make plays on the run with his feet or arm.  An athlete under center who can make plays is what I see. He plays with an obvious confidence in his skills. Has good quickness and speed and slippery runner when he carries the ball. Does a nice job in RPO.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656f35465ea3a"} /-->