AYF All-Star Practice: Initial Reactions on West Standouts
Last Thursday and Friday I got the opportunity to check out three practices leading up to the AYF National All-Star Game, which was played on Saturday in conjunction with Pro Bowl weekend. There were nearly 60 kids from AYF-sanctioned teams…
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Continue ReadingLast Thursday and Friday I got the opportunity to check out three practices leading up to the AYF National All-Star Game, which was played on Saturday in conjunction with Pro Bowl weekend. There were nearly 60 kids from AYF-sanctioned teams that were selected and showed up to the prestigious event. While all the prospects in attendance have a very bright future in the sport, the six below really stood out to me during the practices before the game. We’ll look at the position groups throughout the week, but we’ll start out with the prospects who made the the biggest impression on me from the West Team.
Lemons was the tallest receiver on the field for the West team and is a threat on every play because of his size and route running ability. The Ohio native did a lot of things very well over the 3 practices I watched and can be a big red zone threat. Although we have him listed as an athlete right now I can see lemons turning into a big time receiver in the state of Ohio as he starts high school in the fall.
- Great routes
- Long arms and can go get the ball wherever its at
- Good build being 6’4, 175
Rubley is an elite QB from what I saw watching him over 3 practices. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s rated the best QB in the state of Colorado and a top Qb in the country when he comes to the end of high school. Although he has 4 years of high school to go he’s a Quarterback that top college programs should be looking at right now. Being 6’2 already and having the arm he has. Bright future ahead for Rubley.
- Tall pro style QB
- NFL Genes from Dad/ D1 older brother
- Powerful / accurate throws
- Leader / vocal
Highlights
Edwards is probably the best DB I watched at AYF this past week. Although being one of the shorter players Edwards is an elite athlete and a lockdown corner and outplays WR with height every time. One of my favorite players I watched at practice. Can play great at receiver as well but you cant watch him play corner and not see that he’s a natural there. He’s another Ohio kid among others that dominated from what I watched.
- Elite athlete
- Elite routes
- good closing speed
- quick/fast
- Good Db even against height
- Plays great in press
- Great at tracking ball in air
- physical at the line
Brandon represented Arizona well this weekend being the swiss army knife for the West Offense. His athletic ability along with his physicality is what set him apart and what drew me to take a closer look at him. It didn’t really matter if he was in the slot of the backfield or making a block he always seemed to make a big play. Guys who can play multiple positions at a high level and are not afraid to do the dirty work like make a few key blocks are elite players to me.
- Speed
- Swiss army knife
- Good size being 5’11 170
- Quick outta breaks
- Elite blocker
Highlights
Brown was another AZ guy that really impressed me with his versatility. Standing at 5’8 and 165 pounds of muscle Brown looks like a natural running back who can also make things happen in the slot as well. Very impressed with his ability to play in the slot and at RB very well.
- Powerful runner with great strides for his size
- Quick breaks
- shifty
- Rb that can play slot and catches everything
Cross is a WR with good size that has the ability to make big plays after the catch. Hes extremely athletic and represented Michigan well. A guy that can make big time catches in traffic and is elusive with the ball in his hands. He looks very natural at the position and has some good muscle mass to be a guy that can catch passes over the middle and take hits. Overall could definitely turn into a top receiver in the state of Michigan.
- Big receiver
- Athletic
- Good routes
- Makes moves on DB
Highlights
Hill was someone that kind of came out of no where on day 2 of practice and really impressed me with his ability to move so well at his size. He’s a linebacker but can move like a safety in the he’s able to pick up speed quick and change directions with ease. Standing at 6’3 185 Hill has D1 written all over him as he plans to play at Harper Woods in the fall.
- Big and fast
- also good RB
- can do some real damage to any ball carrier
- extremely strong and powerful
- considered the top LB in 2028