New York 2024 Rankings Update: Biggest Risers
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I just updated the 2024 rankings after a season away, safe to say while I followed many of these prospects throughout their seasons when I dove into the tape, which I may add the tape never lies, a lot of…
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Continue ReadingI just updated the 2024 rankings after a season away, safe to say while I followed many of these prospects throughout their seasons when I dove into the tape, which I may add the tape never lies, a lot of these guys showed nuances to their game at a high level. Some developed specific skills like like hand placement, release off the LOS, or just overall play speed while some transformed their body adding more strength, or getting lean and quicker. Either way, all of these prospects were intriguing prospects already in their own right but after strong senior seasons jump up our rankings.
Cleveland Charlton Cleveland Charlton 6’5″ | 185 lbs | WR Cardinal Hayes | 2024 State NY finally had his breakout year for Cardinal Hayes, and his production and performance on tape were a large reason that Cardinal Hayes’ high-octane offense was so effective all season long. Charlton made it clear this season that he was a Division 1 prospect.
In our rankings, Charlton has gone from 161 -> 91 – > 12 where he sits now. There was always potential with Charlton due to his size and his ability to create separation down the field. Charlton led the NYCHSFL in receiving yards hitting the 1,000 mark adding 12 touchdowns. Charlton did not produce much as a sophomore and junior but his ranking inside the top 100 after a junior year was just a testament to the potential he had. While we saw it all come together in a championship-winning season for Cardinal Hayes, expect Charlton to continue to grow and develop at the next level. He is headed to Towson and is a guy who could reach a much higher level of ball before his college career concludes.
James McNeil James McNeil 6’2″ | 200 lbs | RB Bishop Timon-St. Jude | 2024 State NY has been on a track of steady growth through his high school career gliding up the rankings from 105 -> 62 -> 15. The UB commit is one of the most dynamic football players in New York and will head to Buffalo as an ATH, showing potential at multiple positions. McNeil is a standout rugby player and showcases the size, speed, and athleticism to be an impactful player on either side of the ball. McNeil averaged over 12 yards per carry and had 14 total touchdowns for Bishop Timon-St. Jude this season, his film shows his ability to play with physicality and do so at a high speed.
McNeil has been a dominant two-way player for multiple seasons but his best tape is from this fall and he shows not only the requisite athleticism to play at the next level but also has the build to look the part of a FBS football player.
Joey Tomasso Joey Tomasso 6’2″ | 180 lbs | QB Waverly | 2024 State NY has had one of the most storied careers of any quarterback in New York, not just during his era of playing but in the entire history of the state. His elite production as a Senior where he led Waverly to a dominant state championship run. Just this season, Tomasso threw for 3,160 yards 43TDs/3INTs adding another 627 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. In his career, Tomasso amassed over 9,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards with nearly 150 total touchdowns.
Tomasso has been a steady riser in our rankings from 162 -> 139 -> 16. Why the big jump to QB1? It is all in the tape. Tomasso showed his Senior year a much-developed poise and control in the pocket. Tomasso had the arm talent and athleticism, as evidenced by his success in the previous season. However, when you watch his Senior year tape he is in so much control over his mechanics, movement, and ability to control his throws all over the field.
Kyle Meier Kyle Meier 6’3″ | 220 lbs | ATH Whiteboro | 2024 State NY was a dominant playmaker for Whitesboro and the QB/ATH showcased the dominance on the ground that we saw a lot of his Junior year, however, Meier took a step forward as a passer showcasing higher efficiency on more volume and production. In his second full season as a starter, Meier had 11 games where he ran for at least 90 yards and had multiple touchdowns in every single game except for one. Meier was hands down one of if not the best Senior in all of New York this season.
Headed to Dartmouth Meier may not end up playing quarterback but he shows the type of athleticism and size that could translate at multiple positions at the next level. What you see on tape in his Senior year is just an increased level of confidence as a thrower that in my opinion could be developed into a college dual-threat quarterback.
Highlights
A continued theme of development over multiple seasons as Wiggins has risen up our rankings. Wiggins has gone from 96 -> 80 -> 20 as one of the most dynamic two-way player in New York. Wiggins, already enrolled at Albany will be playing mostly defensive back but his production on both sides of the ball matches the athleticism and instincts you see on tape. Wiggins had 5 INTs returned for touchdowns and scored 22 touchdowns this season doing so as a receiver, runner, returner, and defender. Wiggins may not be the biggest or fastest athlete but his play speed is his best ability. Not many read and react as quickly as Wiggins, his ability to play fast and his feel for the game are evident on tape and why he was such a dominant player as a Senior.
Tomaszewski continues to rise the rankings from 137 -> 54 -> 23. As a senior Tomaszewski continued to develop his body and looks like an even stronger quicker athlete on tape. A two-way player Tomaszewki shows power that not many others in New York have, his initial punch is at a very high level. Some of the best parts of Tomaszewski’s tape his his motor and the effort he plays with. He not only consistently is outworking guys but his Senior tape combines that with high-level traits of power and quickness.
Headed to Navy, Tomaszewski will continue to develop and I think could end up being a player that when we look back at New York turns into a dominant player at the next level.
Highlights
Adam DeSantis Adam DeSantis 6’3″ | 240 lbs | DL Maine-Endwell | 2024 State NY , is a dominant defensive lineman on a dominant Maine-Endwell defense. DeSantis has long been a model of production and accolades consistently being a part of the All-State and Player of the Year conversations. DeSantis jumps from 44 -> 26 in our rankings and a part of that was his consistency as a Senior. DeSantis continued to build strength and showed even more violence on tape as a senior. DeSantis plays with quick violent hands and finishes plays with strength and violence. DeSantis is headed to Colgate and it was not a surprise he was one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in this class.
Thomas Bacon Jr Thomas Bacon Jr 6’4″ | 215 lbs | TE Long Island Lutheran | 2024 State NY jumps up 23 spots from 50 to 27 where a strong senior season on both sides of the ball and tape that goes well above and beyond his Junior year tape help Bacon Jr not only rise up our rankings but will land him at Yale next season. Bacon Jr is listed as a TE but in all reality, he may play another position because of the athleticism he displays on tape. Bacon Jr has always been a top prospect in the state and his performances as a Senior showcased stronger hands and route running offensively while defensively showing better play speed and how quickly he reads and reacts. Bacon Jr has been a consistent performer in New York but the Senior tape showcases a much more detailed developed game to go along with the athleticism and size the we see on tape.
Zakar Morris Zakar Morris 6’1″ | 275 lbs | DL Iona Prep | 2024 State NY , who is headed to Albany shows really good size and physicality on the line of scrimmage, he displays some positional versatility with the ability to line up inside as a 0 or 1-tech and also could push outside to 5-tech. This season Morris was much better with his hand usage, shedding blocks quicker and using a quick first step to disrupt offensive linemen at the point of attack. Morris also looked to transform his body a little from Junior to Senior year not only adding weight but seeming to get leaner and quicker at the same time. Morris shows traits that make him a quality D1 prospect and the areas where Morris can improve we saw develop some from his Junior to Senior year, a testament to his development at Iona Prep.
Highlights
Anthony Diaz Anthony Diaz 5’10” | 170 lbs | WR East | 2024 State NY took a step forward this season nearly doubling his offensive production while showcasing for the second straight year how he is one of the most dangerous returners in the the state. Diaz showed the quickness and burst we saw on tape last year once against but his improvement as a route runner finding open space against zone coverage and on broken plays was where he took a big step. Defensively, Diaz shows great ball skills and showcased some of the high-quality traits you look for in a defensive back. Headed to Army, Diaz will help Army continue the transition into a more dynamic team that focuses on getting their skill players the ball in space.
Highlights
Harrison Brown Harrison Brown 6’5″ | 290 lbs | OL Archbishop Stepinac | 2024 State NY shifted to starting as a left tackle this year for Archbishop Stepinac, his Senior tape was extremely impressive which is why Brown jumped nearly 100 spots from 131 to 42. Brown is one of the top offensive linemen in this class and unlike many of the other offensive linemen, Brown has the build of a true tackle whose athleticism and length are an asset to Colgate, where he will be playing his college football. Brown shows good strength and power on tape and this season showed much more consistent hands at the point of attack. Brown can continue to develop strength and size in his upper body but with the motor he displayed on his Senior tape at times he simply out wills opponents and uses his athleticism to consistently win in space.
Highlights
Boakai Veikai Boakai Veikai 6’4″ | 210 lbs | ATH Moore Catholic | 2024 State NY moves up from 98 to 43 after what was a very successful first season playing football. Veikai a WR/SAF prospect was tough to rank after just offseason work but debuted just inside the top 100 due to his freakish athleticism that starred on the basketball court for Moore Catholic. Veikai showcased a smooth transition to football where as a WR he used his size, speed, and vertical leap to consistently win reps down the field. I was intrigued with Veikai as a defender where he shows elite athleticism when he plays as an OLB near the LOS but also has size and length and can trouble WR/QB as a defensive back. Veikai is a steal for LIU who likely would not be able to get their hands on a prospect of this caliber if Veikai had 2-3 more years of football under his belt.
Jake Iacobaccio Jake Iacobaccio 5’11” | 180 lbs | ATH CBA-Albany | 2024 State NY made a big jump this season by moving from Shaker to CBA-Albany, safe to say that the move paid off as Iacobaccio not only had a very successful season with CBA-Albany winning a sectional championship and making it to the state playoff. Iacobaccio played QB for CBA, but in an offensive system that featured Iacobaccio’s dual-threat ability. Iacobaccio shows great athleticism good quickness and twitch making guys miss. Iacobaccio also played SAF at CBA and displayed high-level play speed and instincts. At the end of the day, put Iacobaccio in any skill position and with his athleticism and instincts he will have success. A strong year will lead Iacobaccio into Monmouth where he will play RB but do not be shocked if he becomes a positionless playmaker for Monmouth.