Five Jr.s Stepping Into Big Roles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take a look at five new name juniors to step up into big roles in 2024: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212203' first='Jayden' last='Pico'], QB, Liberty</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pico started the past two seasons at Shadow Ridge and did some really good things, but transfers over to the defending open division champs and the most targeted team in the state at Liberty. He'll look to fill some big shoes with Gatorade POY [player_tooltip player_id='115509' first='Navi' last='Bruzon'] heading to Arizona State, but I think Pico's maturity as a two year starter puts him in position to do some really good things on an always tough and competitive Liberty squad. Athletically he checks all the boxes and has much room to continue to add mass, and he'll get a big opportunity and a big test with a target on his back heading into 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='992823' first='Jacob' last='Brown'], RB, Saguaro </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown will step into a big RB1 role for Saguaro, and I think he has all the tools and intangibles to step in and blow up immediately. He sizes up with a stout, strong frame and build at 5'11" 210lbs and runs with authority. He possesses that mean streak you look for in a an angry, downhill runner with a good pad level and excellent strength at the POC. Good speed and burst for his size as well, as he is a nightmare to meet in an alley 1v1. A lot of new things spinning around Saguaro, but they are still a major threat looking at their talent all across the board, and I thinl Brown is going to be a game changer for their offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JacobB263/status/1733183424339591179?s=20","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/JacobB263/status/1733183424339591179?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='410430' first='Percy' last='Knox III'], DB, Basha</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knox is a new name that I have a ton of confidence in as he enters his junior season. He was part of a lethal Basha secondar last season with a ton of big name recruits, and even with all those top names, Knox still managed to force 17 PBU's and a pick in his 9n games played. Basha is also losing all of those big name guys in the secondary so they're going to have to rely on some new faces, and I think Knox is primed for this opportunity. This kid is an absolute grinder as he's always seen training and bettering himself, and he's definitely looking the part here in the spring. Quick, twitchy, smart player with big upside on a powerhouse squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='739455' first='Ryan' last='McDonough'], ATH, Desert Mountain </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This next up DM squad is going to be interesting as they'll have to fill some pretty big shoes, but all around they still have the talent to be dangerous. Regardless, they're going to have to have some younger, new face type of guys step up and I think McDonough can be that difference maker and be touted with a big role in 2024. Dynamic kid that is the younger brother of Navy commit [player_tooltip player_id='115515' first='Brady' last='McDonough'], and he can do a lot of good things in space. He's played on varsity for two years now and really opened eyes as a KR, especially against Chaparral where he took one to the house. Really good top end speed and I think he'll capitalize on it and improve, making him one of the biggest speed threats in 5A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RMcDonough2026/status/1733648332499702006?s=20","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/RMcDonough2026/status/1733648332499702006?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1177567' first='Josh' last='Pinder'], WR, Pinnacle </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I really like Pinder as a sleeper WR heading into this year, and he'll have to have a major role on that offense. He comes off a sophomore campaign where he hauled in 23 receptions for 278 yards and 4 TD's in which he was tied for the most receiving TD's with incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='369024' first='Jace' last='Pina']. Horton does a great job at spreading the ball around and he'll have to have some new guys really step up, and I think Pinder will easily slide into go-to WR role along with Pina. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->