Breakout Candidates: Class of 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402346' first='Mattias' last='Brunicardi']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Position:</strong> Running Back</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>H/W:</strong> 5'10 207</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Class:</strong> 2026</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>High</strong> <strong>School:</strong> Springboro</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Links:</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/mattibrunicardi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14928320/Mattias-Brunicardi">Hudl</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evaluation:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off an almost 2,000 yard freshman season for Springboro's freshman team, Mattias followed by playing in 4 varsity games his sophomore season. In those 4 games he was able to record 256 yards on 47 carries with 2 touchdowns. In those games he looks very explosive against teams in the highest level of Ohio high school football. He is a hard runner that is tough to slow down when he reaches full speed and really excels at running through arm tackles. At 5'10 207, he has already mostly filled out his frame while still having this offseason and one more to continue developing and strengthening his body. He shows good speed getting to the outside and outrunning defenders. He shows good vision and patience at the LOS for a young player. When he sees an opening, he accelerates through the line with force. As he becomes more involved in the offense and gets more opportunities in his junior season, I can predict a big breakout year to come for Mattias. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Jaxon Long</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Position:</strong> Wide Receiver/ Safety</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>H/W:</strong> 6'3 185</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Class:</strong> 2026</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>High School:</strong> Springboro</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Links:</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/jaxonlong6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17074861/Jaxon-Long" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evaluation:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaxon is another player from Springboro High School in the class of 2026. Another guy who made big waves on the freshman team with 900 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense and 7 interceptions on defense. He made contributions starting on both sides of the ball as a sophomore. At 6'3 185 he has great length at both receiver and safety. He uses his length well with his large catch radius and ability to go up and grab the football over defenders and opposing receivers. He shows good YAC ability with his speed and elusiveness in the open field. Most of his varsity film so far has been strictly short routes, so I am expecting more involvement in the offense in his junior season with more responsibilities and longer routes to let him showcase his entire skill set. Springboro is a team to watch out for next season to get back on track coming off a one win season. Jaxon and Mattias are going to be key contributors to help with that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182158' first='Luke' last='Faler']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Position:</strong> Quarterback</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>H/W:</strong> 6'0 180</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Class:</strong> 2026</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>High School:</strong> Lebanon</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Links:</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/lukefaler7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15252654/Luke-Faler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evaluation:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off a 2,000 yard 22 touchdown sophomore season on varsity, Luke looks to continue to develop at the quarterback position. What really stands out to me from his tape is how confidently he throws the ball from different body positions and arm angles with the timing and anticipation of a much more experienced quarterback. He trusts that his receivers will get to the correct spot and doesn't hesitate to fire it through a tight window to get it there. He has good arm strength while also knowing when to put the right amount of touch on passes. He also shows good pocket awareness with enough escapability to extend plays and accurately make tough throws on the run. I believe he will have a big junior season and become a more widely known name in the state of Ohio. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->