Pops Picks: Standout 2028 QB’s From AYF Nationals – Part 2/3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I said in <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/12/pops-picks-standout-2028-qbs-from-ayf-nationals-part-1-3/">Part 1/3 of this series of articles</a>, there was a lot of football to be seen last week at the AYF National tournament. Between myself and a few others, we did our best to see the most 2028 and 2029 prospects that we possibly could. With nine fields hosting games at the same time, different age groups/divisions, kids playing up or down and no clear way of finding out what grade (class) the athletes were in–you can imagine the hard work it took to compile what we got. In full disclosure, we didn't see every team–a near impossible task. However, we did see the overwhelming majority of kids in the 12U-14U age brackets. Here is a look at Part 1/3 at the top 2028 quarterbacks we saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1112733"],"_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":"The NC Giants 13U D1 squad was my favorite team to watch at AYF Nationals because of they attacked the competition and how they u003cemu003edidn'tu003c/emu003e play with any youth football nonsense. Micah Walker was at the helm of the team that reached the championship game with interchangeable athletes that could play all over the field, in addition to some nice size up front. Walker, himself, is more of an Athlete (ATH) than anything else because of his ability and mobility on the field. Additionally a standout as a safety on defense as well, Walker is a talented athlete that ran the RPO to near perfection as a quarterback. Read the defense well and knew what to do when opportunities presented themselves. After watching the games over again, he threw a better ball than I had originally thought, too. Future is bright here.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1111494"],"_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":"The Central Massachusetts 13U All-Stars, better known as the Commonwealth Chaos, was the best all-star team I've seen the conference field from a talent-standpoint, in several years. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1111494' first='Brad' last='Perry'] was protected by a big, aggressive right side of the offensive line. He had multiple backs that could keep the chains moving and some big play wide receivers, but he was the key to the engine. The Wachusett-based prospect played with the moxy you want your quarterback to have. Other than a sound beating by eventual National Champion, Las Vegasu002du002din a game in which the Chaos led via a touchdown pass from Perry to Christopher Lefebvreu002du002dthey stood on their business by beating Virginia 30-8 8 in Round 1 and Greater Illinois 26-7 in the third place game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1111594"],"_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":"Speaking of the Greater Illinois All-Star team, and staying in the 13U bracket, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1111594' first='Malachi' last='Henigan'] caught my attention last week. Not the most conventional style of quarterback'ing I've ever seen, but he made it happen. I watched him play in parts of three games and he made countless plays with his feet. He was seemingly always on the move; Whether it was rolling out, escaping pressure or a designed run, the defenders responsible for containment had to be diligent. The offense didn't ask him to do too much and he made a habit of making the safe/smart throw and letting the athletes get loose. It should also be noted that he made a lot of off-platform throws if he saw an opening to hit one of his weapons.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1111467"],"_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":"Quarterbacking the Arizona Suns all the way to the 13U D2 National Championship was Jhay'Mai Norwood. Make no bones about it, Norwood is not a natural quarterback and is absolutely deserving of the distinction of Athlete (ATH). Norwood, who also runs track, showed off that speed and quickness throughout the week and helped the Suns outscore their opponents 63-18 in three games. Rewatching the game film, he miraculously escaped pressure with some Houdini moves and was able to run around (and over) would be-tacklers. While shorter in stature, he's built thick and ran low to the ground and was tough to bring down. After making defenses hesitate with his feet, he also how the ability to pop out and toss the rock down the field. Defensively he also has shown ability to play some lockdown corner.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["987815"],"_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":"It did not go as planned for the 215 Extreme 13U D1 team at AYF Nationals. The Philadelphia-based team drew the O.G. Ducks (California)u002du002dthe eventual AYF 13U D1 National Championsu002du002din their opening game, and followed it up with another L in the third place game to the Beacon House Falcons (Maryland). Despite two tough losses, I was happy I got to see quarterback King Salley play live. He was on my internal 2028 Pennsylvania Watchlist dating back to this past summer and for good reason. He's a thicker quarterback with a good arm for this level. He was under pressure for much of the two games the 215 Extreme played, but still made some good throws. Specifically some back shoulder balls and a few tosses where he had to change his levels to fit into a throwing lane.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["611690"],"_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":"Another team that was dealt a tough hand at AYF Nationals was the Robbins Eagles 13U D2 team, out of Illinois. Despite a crazy-talented roster, the Eagles failed to win a game in Florida after drawing the eventual 13U D2 National Champion Arizona Suns in their opening game, and the eventual third-place-finishing Texas Elite. Despite that, I'm confident in saying that [player_tooltip player_id='611690' first='Ron' last='Smith Jr.'] was my second favorite 2028 quarterback down there. A year ago he lit up the 12U All-Star division at AYF Nationals; He followed that up by scorching our Prep Redzone Next Midwest Middle School Camp. This year he was QB1 of an Eagles team that made it down to Florida and battled with some tough teams, despite a bunch of injuries. As plainly as I can say it, Smith Jr. is going to be a special player on the high school level and beyond. I'm a big fan.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["889334"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Out of all the teams, age groups, divisions, etc. at AYF Nationals in 2023, perhaps no team was put through the ringer more the Springfield Tigers 14U D2 team out of Massachusetts. Led by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='889334' first='Jahir' last='Charles'] and his surrounding cast of future Massachusetts All-Staters, every game the purple and yellow played was an absolute dog fight. They met a familiar foe in the Mattapan Patriots (also from Massachusetts) in Round 1, earning a multiple-OT win 25-19. In the second round they took on the eventual champion 5280 Colorado Jr. Buffs and heralded QB Luke Rubley. Despite a big effort, the Tigers fell 22-14 in another close game. In their third and final close game of the week, Springfield beat the Boca Braves (Florida) 19-13 to secure the third place finish. Individually, Charles did what he was asked to go. It appeared that he had essentially a one-read offense and made the necessary throws. He has an awesome frame to work with at 5-foot-11 and 155 pounds, in addition to hips he can snap around at any moment, in any position, to make a throw.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["972902"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Talk to anybody who has ever played football and I'm willing to bet they've played through a season that didn't go exactly to plan. The Brick City Lions 13U D1 team out of New Jersey faced a bunch of adversity this season, between games being canceled and players leaving the team for various reasons, it didn't go as envisioned. Yet, Athlete (ATH) Anthony Lopez Jr. tied up his boots and went to work, making the move from wide receiver to quarterback, for the team. Lopez Jr. is certainLY more of a wide receiver than he is a quarterback, but Brick City did a good job of allowing his 6-foot, 155-pound body to get out in space to create. They rolled him out and allowed the lefty to make easier throws, which he did on repeat. The selflessness and added wrinkle of a passing threat, is something that I'm sure private high schools across New Jersey took note of. In Florida Lopez Jr. got the opportunity to take a snap back at wide receiving and fittingly enough, made the catch. Brick City finished in third place in the AYF 13U D1 National Tournament.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65788c9395c76"} /-->