All-Delaware Bowl 2028: Blue Team Practice Standouts
In this article:
The 2024 8th Grade All-Delaware Bowl was a game nobody will soon forget. As If the first-ever Triple OT game in the Bowl’s history wasn’t enough, the athletes and coaches had to deal with a Nor’easter storm bringing wind, hale,…
Access all of Prep Redzone Next and Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 2024 8th Grade All-Delaware Bowl was a game nobody will soon forget. As If the first-ever Triple OT game in the Bowl’s history wasn’t enough, the athletes and coaches had to deal with a Nor’easter storm bringing wind, hale, heavy rain and even a tornado warning during the days of practice leading up to the event. Nonetheless, many of the top athletes from the 302 made a name for themselves–or reminded folks just how good they really are. Do not sleep on the state of Delaware.
Offensive Standouts
Mosley was the big-body wide receiver on the outside for the Blue Team, offensively. Also saw time during practice as a safety, but wide receiver is his main jam. At north of 6-foot, just his presence and height on the outside required bracketing from a safety. Or. at the very least, required the safety to keep an eye on Mosley, causing the safety to hesitate just a step or two.
Highlights
I’ve seen Coston play live three times since December and he came to compete every time. Plays with a ton of fire and attitude–and straight up does not like defensive backs. Despite the tough conditions at practice, he was flying all around the field and jawing at anyone who wanted to say something. In my eyes, he was unquestionably the top wide receiver on this Blue team.
Out of the three quarterbacks I saw take significant snaps during practice (two were on the black team), Bryant seemed to play with the highest football IQ and threw the prettiest ball in the mid-range passing game. He was one of the pleasant surprises to me during practice, appearing to be taller and in better shape that I had anticipated. He was dialed in during practice and was clearly one of the leaders offensively.
Dawkins looked great in practice, just as he did a year ago too. He was the feature running back on this team and looked the part at 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds. He ran hard and showed off the speed and balance necessary to be the complete running back, this team needed. He also proved to have one of the bigger personalities on the team and helped keep everyone loose and laughing in the cold.
Since his initial selection to the 2024 8th Grade All-Delaware Bowl, the 6-foot-2, 260-pounder has reclassed to the 2029 class. Regardless of what class he’s in going forward, he had a nice practice set of practices. He played center for this Blue Team and did a nice job firing back reliable shotgun snaps, only having a couple not connect. He has gotten significantly taller since the last time I saw him, too. Had some good battles in the trenches with Ay’Din Bellamy during practice.
Defensive Standouts
Leading up to the practices and actual game, I said Tysir Young was the prospect I was most excited to see…and he did not disappoint. At 6-foot-2 and 190-pounds he was unblockable as a defensive end and used his speed to disrupt plays. On the offensive of the ball, he doubled down on his value at the tight end position. Impressive in-line blocker that could drive defensive ends back or stalk block on the outside. Also ran very strong routes and flashed great hands.
Highlights
Smith proved to be a big hitter and physical force in the middle of the field for the Blue team and set the tone in practice on the defensive side of the ball. A very thick linebacker at this point, when the team went from a 4-3 to a 5-2, he bumped down to defensive tackle and had his hand in the dirt. When he jokingly said, “I’m not a defensive lineman”, coaches jokingly said that he may eventually turn into one in high school. While it was in good fun, I can see the move as a possibility. He’s strong, built low to the ground and plays physically.
Another prospect that was one of the interior defensive linemen I had circled, who could have a good showing in the 2024 All-Delaware Bowl, ahead of the event. At practice he was exactly what I thought he’d be, winning a lot of 1-on-1 battles. At 5-foot-8 and 265 pounds, he was a boulder as defensive tackle and had countless quality reps against–and with–Drake James on the offensive line.
Highlights
Morales came completely out of left field for me, as I could not find any film and had very little information to go off of ahead of the All-Delaware Bowl. However, that changed after seeing him in practice, and again proved why playing in legitimate showcase showcase events like All-Delaware Bowl can be so important. Coaches told me to keep an eye on him, as he impressed at a practice earlier in the week and he didn’t disappoint. Showed great strength in his hips and lower body down in the trenches throughout the practices and into the bowl game itself.
I remember liking Maldonado a lot last year as a 7th grader during the All-Delaware Bowl, but had not seen any updated film on him. At practice I got a front row seat to see how he’s progressed and it was certainly favorable. Passes the eye test right away in terms of frame at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds and did well on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he played with a ton of range as an outside linebacker and think he’ll ultimately end up there as he career plays out. That said, he also was a better receiver than I anticipated as well.
Additional Practice Standouts
Xavion Hoover | Defensive Back – Brought physicality and attitude to the defensive back position for the blue team. Didn’t see many balls thrown his way during practice, so somewhat hard to get an accurate read on his ball skills. But physically, he checked all the boxes for me.
James Rugh | Wide Receiver – Rugh caught my eye at practice pretty early because of how crisp his routes were. Gave up some size and muscle mass, but ya’ can’t hit what ya’ can’t catch. Hoover and Rugh were lined up across from each other and both shined without the ball in their hands,
Isaiah Fountain | Defensive Line – My eye kept coming back to Fountain, as he did some good things on the defensive line during practice. The only kid without a jersey covering his pads at Thursday’s practice, he was particularly impressive at the point of contact. Showed good strength at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds.