Versatile ATHs: Impact Across the Field

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are the ATHs that significantly impact both or more than one phase of the football game. And the traits that make them productive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284076"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWelman Crooms Jr. of Mattawan High School is a dynamic athlete who leaves his mark in various facets of the game. Standing at 5'9” and weighing 160 pounds, Crooms showcases his versatility across multiple positions, making him a valuable asset to his team. u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ePrimarily known for his prowess as a wide receiver and running back, Crooms demonstrates exceptional speed and elusiveness, often leaving defenders in his wake. Whether receiving handoffs in the backfield or utilizing his speed to create separation as a wideout, he consistently finds ways to impact the game offensively.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eCrooms also showcases his skills on the defensive side of the ball as a cornerback. While he excels in coverage and has shown improvement in locating the football, he continues to refine his technique to become an even more formidable presence in the secondary.u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eFurthermore, Crooms shines as a kick returner, possessing the ability to field punts and kicks cleanly while using his speed and agility to navigate through opposing coverage units and create scoring opportunities for his team.u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWith offers from esteemed programs such as Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, and Boston College, Croom's versatility has caught the attention of college recruiters, cementing his status as one of the most sought-after athletes in the 2026 class. As he continues to hone his skills and make strides in all areas of his game, Crooms is poised to leave a lasting impact on the field at the collegiate level and beyond.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d38f4d7bc84"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/WelmanCroomsJr/status/1754913355410686170","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/WelmanCroomsJr/status/1754913355410686170 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899738"],"_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":1186168,"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eJohn Forester, representing St. Joe's Regional, is a versatile weapon on the gridiron, standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 185 pounds. With the ability to impact multiple aspects of the game, Forrester is poised to shine as a standout offensive weapon in his senior year.u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ePrimarily known for his explosiveness as a running back, Forester showcases remarkable speed and agility, making him a formidable threat in the backfield. While previously playing behind Syracuse commit [player_tooltip player_id='172517' first='Yasin' last='Willis'], Forester is now poised to take on a more prominent role in the offense, where his dynamic skill set will be fully unleashed.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eDrawing comparisons to DePaul Catholic running back [player_tooltip player_id='396564' first='Nolan' last='James'], Forester possesses a blend of athleticism and explosiveness that sets him apart. While he displays physicality between the tackles, his preference for utilizing his speed to bounce outside adds another dimension to his game. Additionally, his versatility extends beyond traditional running plays, as he excels in jet motion and is adept at catching and tracking deep passes down the field.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWith a handful of offers from prestigious programs such as Penn State, Maryland, Tennessee, Illinois, and Virginia Tech, Forester's potential as a playmaker has garnered attention from college recruiters across the country. As he prepares to lead St. Joe's Regional's offense and showcase his multifaceted talents, Forester is poised to leave a lasting impact on the field and elevate his status as one of New Jersey's top offensive prospects.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d38f4d7bd26"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/johnforsterr/status/1725206198536770009","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/johnforsterr/status/1725206198536770009 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["211802"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eKaron  Ali, standing at 5'10” and weighing 165 pounds, is a dynamic athlete renowned for his versatility and patient approach to football. While not possessing blazing speed, Ali's patience and efficiency on the field make him a formidable force on offense and defense u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ealike. As a running back and wide receiver, Ali demonstrates exceptional ball-catching skills and elusiveness in the open field. His ability to find holes in the defense and make plays after the catch adds a dynamic dimension to his offensive game. Moreover, Ali's patience and efficiency enable him to excel even when plays break down, showcasing his adaptability and football IQ.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHowever, where Ali truly shines is as a slot cornerback, where his skills as a defensive back come to the forefront. Utilizing his agility and explosiveness, Ali excels at staying in the hip pocket of receivers, effectively covering them in tight spaces. His keen instincts and positional awareness enable him to anticipate plays and make crucial pass breakups, demonstrating his prowess as a defensive u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eplaymaker. Looking ahead, Ali's potential as a slot cornerback at the collegiate level is evident, where his skill set could make a significant impact on the field. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWith offers from Rutgers, Pitt, West Virginia, and Boston College, Ali's talents have garnered recognition from esteemed programs, highlighting his potential to excel at the next level. As he continues to hone his craft and showcase his versatility, Ali is poised to leave a lasting impression as one of New Jersey's most dynamic prospects.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d38f4d7bdaf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15291496/6567d1002aa6ca059427dbcb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d38f4d7be62"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["343146"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ePrimarily operating as a wide receiver, Folmar displayed blazing speed, exceptional footwork, and the ability to break tackles in the open field. His agility and acceleration allowed him to excel in catching screen passes and turning short gains into significant yardage. Moreover, Folmar's impact extended beyond receiving, as he seamlessly transitioned to roles as a running back and wildcat quarterback.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eIn critical moments, Folmar proved to be a reliable closer for Delbarton, demonstrating vision, burst, and excellent contact balance when hitting holes and gaining yards after contact. His ability to consistently move the chains and make plays in clutch situations earned him recognition as a pivotal player on the field.u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAs Folmar's performance garnered attention, he received Division I offers from esteemed programs such as Boston College and Toledo, signaling the beginning of a promising collegiate career. With his skill set continuing to evolve, Folmar is poised to emerge as one of New Jersey's top prospects in his senior year, solidifying his status as a dynamic playmaker to watch. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d38f4d7bed8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16152291/6567dfcbd468d904ec4b2d6c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d38f4d7beff"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["379050"],"_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":1186182,"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='379050' first='Kyle' last='Wise'] may not have varsity snaps under his belt yet, but his impact on the field is undeniable, thanks to his versatility and ability to excel on both offense and defense. As a standout running back, Wise showcases his physicality, standing at six feet and weighing around 160 to 170 pounds. His impressive contact balance coupled with solid speed and acceleration make him a formidable force to bring down, allowing him to thrive in the open field.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAdditionally, Wise demonstrates his prowess as a slot wide receiver, utilizing his speed to get open deep down the field and make contested catches, providing his team with another avenue for explosive plays. On the defensive side, Wise shines as a standout safety, showcasing his versatility by excelling both in the box and on the back end. Whether playing as a deep field or half-field safety, he displays exceptional instincts, often deflecting passes and positioning himself effectively to make plays.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eDespite currently playing on the junior varsity team, Wise's potential is evident, and his best football is yet to come. With his multifaceted skill set and football IQ, he is poised to make an immediate impact as a varsity starter in his upcoming sophomore campaign. Watch out for [player_tooltip player_id='379050' first='Kyle' last='Wise'] as he continues to ascend and make waves on the gridiron.u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d38f4d7bf70"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19739379/65123ef96e8b3b0528f35835' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d38f4d7bf97"} /-->