Class of 2025: Top Overall Athletes in WNY

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will begin my list of top football players in Western New York, starting with the incoming seniors. After this article, I will break them down by position. This article will focus on the athletes that displayed a versatility to their position; whether it be a Running Back with extraordinary receiving skills, a Wide Receiver that is exceptional on the defensive side of the ball or a High School Quarterback whose future may lay in other areas on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["505863"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1195955,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Listed as a WR, [player_tooltip player_id='505863' first='E'Ryan' last='Lawrence'] made just as much of an impact running the ball, accumulating 1,128 all purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. As a Junior, he made 1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e Team All Western New York and 1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e team All State on Offense. But his accomplishments on defense were just as impressive. In his first season with the Bennett Tigers, Lawrence made 35 tackles but his 3 interceptions for 143 yards showed he is a threat every time he touches the ball. Lawrence has incredible quickness and his speed is off the charts. He has a knack for always being around the ball and more times than not, he comes away with it. [player_tooltip player_id='505863' first='E'Ryan' last='Lawrence'] has already received attention from many colleges, such as West Virginia and the University of Massachusetts. With all the talent in the world and his amazing football intuition, Lawrence is poised to have a monstrous senior season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["390762"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='390762' first='Jahyden' last='Clark'] has already broken Canisius' all time school receiving record with 110 catches for 1,541 yards and 12 touchdowns in just two seasons. He is an explosive route runner and has great quickness that gives him separation from defensive backs. His astonishing vertical leap allows him to win most jump balls. He also contains that rare toughness to go over the middle; a trait that isn't often seen these days. Clark is an electric player with top notch speed and fantastic versatility. His dominance was not just on offense. His flawless football instincts made him a terror at defensive back where he accumulated 206 tackles, 3 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries in his career at Canisius. Already receiving interest from many Division I colleges like Penn State and Rutgers, [player_tooltip player_id='390762' first='Jahyden' last='Clark'] will have his choice of what college to attend and what position he wants to play.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["505530"],"_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":"A three year varsity player, Mcduffie played sparingly as a freshman but got better and better each of his last two seasons. The Bennett Tigers had a three headed monster at Running Back with Noah playing the role of #3 with 629 yards and 9 touchdowns. His amazing cutback ability mixed with his 4.4 type speed, I think he would have been a workhorse back for any other school. His vision is phenomenal and has extraordinary balance. He can play Running Back at the collegiate level. However, it was a Free Safety that [player_tooltip player_id='505530' first='Noah' last='Mcduffie'] shined the most. He enters the 2024 season with 179 career tackles. He tackles with aggression and determination. He shows proper backpedaling technique and can stop on a dime and close in on the receiver. Quarterbacks need to know where Mcduffie is lined up on every play as he is the quintessential ballhawk, recording 12 interceptions for 321 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has already received offers to Fordham University and Army West Point. I fully expect his senior season to bring in many other Powerhouse collegiate attention.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["806592"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":1195959,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Nunes has great vision and possesses elusive quickness. He has speed that makes him untouchable in the open field. He was a Jack of all trades for the South Park Sparks as a runner, receiver, defensive back, as well as contributing to the return game. He led the team in rushing and receiving, accruing 963 all purpose yards and 5 touchtodowns. As a Safety, he also led the team in tackles with 75. He has incomparable football instincts and tackles with great form. His small stature may get him overlooked by many colleges going into his senior year but this is someone who can play at a high level. 2023 was [player_tooltip player_id='806592' first='Adam' last='Nunes'] first shot as a workhorse player and he came up big. Colleges should take notice headed in to 2024.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["451481"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":1195963,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Talk about a player who does everything; [player_tooltip player_id='451481' first='Bryce' last='Hinsdale'] was CSP's primary receiver with a career stat line of 164 receptions for 1,624 yards and 16 touchdowns. He made 1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e team All State as a Wide Receiver. He also proved to be a ball hawking safety, recording 11 interceptions in three varsity seasons. On top of his role on offense and defense, Hinsdale was essential to CSP's Special Teams. As the team's primary Kicker, Bryce successfully kicked 40 Extra Points and 4 Field Goals and also added 13 punts for 490 yards with 4 landing inside the 20 yard line. He was also a part-time returner, returning a punt 58 yards for a touchdown in 2023. [player_tooltip player_id='451481' first='Bryce' last='Hinsdale']'s route running is impeccable and he possesses the uncanny knack to gain separation from opposing defenders. He is great at catching the ball with his hands and is excellent after the catch. [player_tooltip player_id='451481' first='Bryce' last='Hinsdale'] is an impressive prospect. His small school status may get him overlooked by many colleges but whichever college does land him, will be getting a special player.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["807022"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":1195965,"_player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"A two time Connolly Cup nominee, [player_tooltip player_id='807022' first='Rob' last='Gillette'] has been Lakeshore's starting QB the last two seasons. Although he can be considered a Running QB, he mixed it up running for 1,486 yards and 25 touchdowns in his career, while throwing for 1.705 yards and 17 touchdowns. Gillette runs with toughness, has great vision and can rarely be tackled by one player. He does possess good pocket awareness and an exceptionally arm but when it comes to the collegiate level, I think he can have a great career as a Running Back, Receiver or Safety. Most Quarterback don't play defense but that isn't the case with Rob. He is a three year varsity Safety, accumulating 124 tackles (7 for loss) 3 interceptions and 8 passes defensed. He plays fearlessly and tackles with great form and has a knack to always be around the ball.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["648809"],"_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":"On a team loaded with offensive weapons, [player_tooltip player_id='648809' first='Damari' last='Yancey'] is somewhat of a hidden gem. In two seasons at Canisius, Yancey has proved to be a dynamic playmaker with breakaway speed. Before his Junior season, he was clocked running a 4.52 in the 40 yard dash. He has been an excellent complimentary Running Back and an electrifying returner. Extremely elusive, Damari has put up 1,207 all purpose yards in 2 seasons, despite missing 5 games in his Junior year. Yancey is versatile as he can line up as a Running Back or Wide Receiver. He possesses soft hands and can catch the ball in traffic. Now that he is healthy, [player_tooltip player_id='648809' first='Damari' last='Yancey'] is a player to watch in 2024.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["806828"],"_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":"Frontier did not throw the ball much so Kibler's passing abilities are not what I'll be focusing on. His speed and athleticism is what has separated him from his peers. Rob is great at finding the open hole and hitting a second gear where he is hard to catch, running for 1,107 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a Free Safety, he possesses a nose for the ball and proved to be a playmaker, snagging 6 interceptions for 127 yards and a touchdown in a backup role. When colleges come calling for [player_tooltip player_id='806828' first='Rob' last='Kibler'], there are a variety of positions he can excel at.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dcc44e6d654"} /-->