Twitter Film Study Pt. 11: Unmasking Six Secret Weapons
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We’re now onto our 11th chapter of the ‘Twitter Film Study’ series and there’s no denying that the state of Arizona has plenty of football talent walking around its high schools. This time around, we found six secret weapons across…
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Continue ReadingWe’re now onto our 11th chapter of the ‘Twitter Film Study’ series and there’s no denying that the state of Arizona has plenty of football talent walking around its high schools. This time around, we found six secret weapons across the state who are doing whatever they can to help their team win. As always, we’re trying to create more exposure for these athletes while making sure to still give an honest evaluation of what we see on tape.
Jacob Brown Jacob Brown 5’10” | 200 lbs | RB Saguaro | 2026 State AZ is a powerful back coming out of Saguaro. Listed at 5’11” and a stalky 190 lbs, he’s a handful to bring down, and often needs more than one defender to do so. With that kind of strength, he still manages to be an agile and shifty player. There’s a quick burst after cuts that end up leaving linebackers grasping the air. Always keeping his legs currning, when Brown does get wrapped up he can carry defenders with him for yards. His size and strength also allow him to be a very good blocker to help protect his quarterback when he’s asked to. Brown’s a good receiver coming out of the backfield as well. That quickness and burst shine as he cuts and he can easily create separation against linebackers. He doesn’t have the softest of hands, but he’s still a reliable target for his quarterback and a great check-down option because of his threat after the catch. Averaging 7.7 yards a carry with 7 touchdowns as a sophomore, the future is bright for Saguaro with Brown in the backfield.
Levi Johnson
Levi Johnson
Levi Johnson has some impressive balance and finds plenty of opportunities to show it as well. He’ll effortlessly bounce off defenders, especially once he gets past the second level. Johnson possesses impressive vision and patience to go along with it. One place he clearly excels is on draw plays. Even after waiting for the delayed handoff, he’ll sit behind the line of scrimmage for an extra beat or two to give his linemen the time they need to clear the path. With reliable hands out of the backfield, he can do more than just take a handoff. Once he has the ball in his hands, Johnson is always a threat with his physicality. He runs the ball so hard, it’s as if it’s the last time he’s going to touch it every time. Johnson’s versatility and dynamic playmaking ability make him a real asset for Centennial.
TJ Fo’ilefutu is a force of a running back who’s incredibly hard to bring to the ground, and it’s not even his best position. Defenders that try to get in his way usually end up lying on the turf looking up at him after he runs through them like a rhinoceros. His cuts aren’t the sharpest, but he has enough quickness to get away from defenders when he needs to. If he’s able to quicken up that change of direction it will not only help him running the ball but will also help him run crisper routes when he goes out for a pass. Where Fo’ilefutu truly shines is on the defensive side of the football. Particularly disruptive rushing from the edge, he can still play inside and has enough speed and agility to cover the evolving new-age tight ends. What stood out most about his game was his physicality; he’s looking to make sure his presence is felt each and every time he makes a play. With this type of ability on both ends of the ball, Fo’ilefutu’s stock is sure to rise as he gears up for his junior year.
Highlights
Mack Kump Mack Kump 5’10” | 175 lbs | WR Sunnyslope | 2025 State AZ runs his routes with strategy and precision and it usually leaves him with tons of separation. He has the speed to stretch the field vertically, but he has such sharp cuts that he becomes nearly unstoppable from the slot. In the quick game, no linebackers have the speed to keep up with him and his change of direction. On the flip side, Kump has a good understanding of how to attack zone defenses and the Sunnyslope offense puts him in some really advantageous positions to beat them. Once he gets the ball in his hands, he’s always a threat to score. Showing that agility again as he effortlessly slips through tackles. He finished the year with two interceptions on the defensive end and showed that he has a knack for finding the ball, even when he’s not on offense. Kump will have to adjust to a new quarterback taking snaps for Sunnyslope, bit with his football IQ, I doubt that will be an issue at all.
Max Wendelschafer
Max Wendelschafer
Max Wendelschafer is a problem for defenses if he’s able to get the corner. Listed at 6’1” 165 lbs, he uses his long strides to outrun defenders to the endzone on a regular basis. It’s not just with the ball in his hands where the speed makes a difference; he closes the gap between him and defensive backs so quickly that it often forces them out of position and makes it even easier for Wendelschafer. It’s not just his strides where his length impacts his game. His long arms make him a real weapon for Perry’s offense when it comes to 50/50 balls. (In fact, they don’t usually seem 50/50 when Wendelschafer’s involved.) As he becomes more comfortable with his size and gains more body control, he’ll be able to make more of the acrobatic catches that are scattered all throughout his film. He’s already showing an ability to concentrate on the ball and make tough catches that’s very mature for his age. As he continues to gain experience, Wendelschafer’s a player who’ll garner serious attention.
Braylon Edwards
Braylon Edwards
Offensively, Braylon Edwards provides a nice little spark, playing receiver for Desert Vista. His ability to make defenders miss in the open field is something you don’t see very often. Another huge part of his big plays is how good he is at adjusting to the ball in the air. Altering his angle to meet the ball where it’s landing, he does a great job of maneuvering around defenders without losing track of the ball as it flies through the air. In coverage, Edwards does a great job of reading the quarterback’s eyes without getting himself out of position. Someone who’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and lay a big hit, that type of physicality was a bit surprising from someone listed at just 5’8”. Using his speed, he’s able to cover a lot of grass and take away multiple options for opposing quarterbacks. There’s no denying that Edwards is an extremely well-rounded player who’ll prove to be a valuable weapon for Desert Vista.