40+ Rhode Island 8th Graders (c/o of 2028) To Know Early

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since the year 2000 there have only been five athletes to play in the NFL that were born in the state of Rhode Island. While the region of New England as a whole is in midst of a renaissance in terms of football talent, Rhode Island is still on the come up. Below are over 40 names from the smallest state in the country, that have impressed during their youth careers. Some of the prospects below will be headed to top prep schools, while others are staying the course with public schools. Regardless of where they go, there's some legit talent here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1114185"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A Southpaw Quarterback with a long, lean frame that has continued to progress through this current eighth-grade year. Helped the Cranston-based CLCF Chiefs reach the American Youth Football (AYF) National tournament in December, and has continued to make strides through spring tackle football and 7v7.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1270283"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"They don't make many 6-foot-3, 240-pound eighth-grade Offensive Linemen in Rhode Island, and if they're out there, most of them don't stay in the Ocean State for high schoolu002du002dbut Taylor is bucking both those trends. Size is unverified, but he's the biggest I've seen here. Also plays basketball and will get next level sniffs based off size alone. Was a member of the Mt. Hope Cowboys Pop Warner team, that reached the Pop Warner Super Bowl in December.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["545931"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"A reclassed two-way player that was physically superior this past season on both sides of the ball, but started to really come into his own as a Wide Receiver. A multi-sport athlete (track, hoops) with long arms and speed. One of the best in New England at high-pointing the ball. Played for the Warwick Steelers this season and is currently with u003cspan class=u0022x1lliihq x1plvlek xryxfnj x1n2onr6 x193iq5w xeuugli x1fj9vlw x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x1i0vuye xvs91rp x1s688f x5n08af x10wh9bi x1wdrske x8viiok x18hxmgju0022 dir=u0022autou0022u003eBreakthrough Elite 7v7.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1269644"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"A natural as a Slot Wide Receiver, he possesses elite short-area quickness and explosive movement patterns during his route running. Was one of several guys that could really go on the Mt. Hope Cowboys Pop Warner team, that reached the Pop Warner Super Bowl in December.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1122395"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"A physically impressive prospect that helped the North Kingstown Jaguars to a Super Bowl title this year. Listed as an Athlete, due to his ability to effect the game in all three phases of the game. His reported stats from this season tell the story: Offensively - 1,003 rec. yards and 10 TDs, 245 rushing yards; Special Teams - Five (5) TDs; Defensively - 0 TDs allowed, 3 FF, 6 INTs, 2 sacks, 2 FR and five (5) touchdowns.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1002180"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"An aggressive and strong two-way lineman on the youth level, with all signs pointing toward focusing on his play as a Defensive End in high school. Played on the defensive line with linebacker speed and was another member of the talented Cranston-based CLCF Chiefs that reached the American Youth Football (AYF) National tournament in December.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1270302"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Yet another smooth, crisp athlete that was a vital member of the Mt. Hope Cowboys Pop Warner team, that reached the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Florida this past December. Truthfully could be listed as an Athlete because of his ability as a Defensive Back, too. Regardless what side of the ball, as he's proving for the u003cspan class=u0022x1lliihq x1plvlek xryxfnj x1n2onr6 x193iq5w xeuugli x1fj9vlw x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x1i0vuye xvs91rp x1s688f x5n08af x10wh9bi x1wdrske x8viiok x18hxmgju0022 dir=u0022autou0022u003eBreakthrough Elite 7v7 team this spring, his hands are top notch.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1269654"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"A physically impressive 2028 prospect that we have listed as an Athlete, because how he continues to develop and grow will be critical to what position he ultimately ends up. This past season split time lined up as a Running Back and Wide Receiver on offense and Outside Linebacker on the defensive side of the ball. In addition, also returned kicks.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["1270262"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Throughout 2023-2024 Galindo Jr. has somewhat quietly become one of my favorite defensive line prospects in all of New England. Comes with long limbs, excellent reach and violent hands as a Defensive End. This past season, he was a defensive standout for Mt. Hope Cowboys Pop Warner team, that reached the Pop Warner Super Bowl in December.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["1115425"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"A versatile offensive weapon that split his time between Wide Receiver and Running Back. At either position, runs hard and with purposeu002du002dincreasing speed would help a lot. Also a talented basketball player. This past season, he helped the Cranston-based CLCF Chiefs reach the American Youth Football (AYF) National tournament in December,","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["1270361"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Gomez is certainly not the first, and u003cemu003edefinitelyu003c/emu003e not the last, Wide Receiver in this writeup that is headed to La Salle Academy. He's one of the bigger targets headed to the Rams, listed at 5-foot-11 and 150 pounds and does a good job of creating a window for the Quarterback to throw tou002du002dmaking the most of his length. Also plays Outside Linebacker/Defensive End on defense, but unless/until his level of physicality increases, he'll be scoring touchdowns instead of stopping them.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["1269639"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Much like his twin brother [player_tooltip player_id='1269644' first='Jayden' last='Fortes'] (listed above), watching [player_tooltip player_id='1269639' first='Aiden' last='Fortes'] move in space is exciting. Very sudden and quick as a route runner. There are plenty of Wide Receiver/Defensive Back prospects in this writeup with great hands, but in my opiniopn, nobody has a pair of mitts quite like [player_tooltip player_id='1269639' first='Aiden' last='Fortes']u002du002ddude catches everything. Was one of several guys that could really go on the Mt. Hope Cowboys Pop Warner team, that reached the Pop Warner Super Bowl in December.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["1270387"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"A reclassed prospect, Santo is a kid that is certainly one to keep an eye on. A very tough, physical kid that stands in the neighborhood of 6-foot and 165 pounds, he's already benching 225 pounds and squatting over 330 pounds. Also wrestles and plays baseball. This past season, he was on the same Super Bowl-winning North Kingstown Jaguars team as [player_tooltip player_id='1122395' first='Kai' last='Young'] (listed above).","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_13_player":["1270417"],"_player_evaluations_13_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"A big, bruising Running Back that isn't just a battering ram, because he uses unsuspecting speed to get him to edge and up into the next level. A multi-sport athlete that may be a better basketball player right now, but I'm pretty high on him as an RB. He was yet another member of the Mt. Hope Cowboys Pop Warner team, that reached the Pop Warner Super Bowl in December.","_player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_14_player":["1270456"],"_player_evaluations_14_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"The u003cspan class=u0022x1lliihq x1plvlek xryxfnj x1n2onr6 x193iq5w xeuugli x1fj9vlw x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x1i0vuye xvs91rp x1s688f x5n08af x10wh9bi x1wdrske x8viiok x18hxmgju0022 dir=u0022autou0022u003eBreakthrough Elite 7v7 team isn't through yet, as [player_tooltip player_id='1270456' first='Alyn' last='Husereau'] is another 2028 prospect to take note of. A Wide Receiver/Defensive Back prospect that will be off to Westerly in the fall, the genetics and brains are there. The son of a high school/7v7 coach and the younger brother of fast-rising 2027 Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='990016' first='Landon' last='Husereau'], I've seen enough of the athletic ability in the family to know that little brother is one to watch.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_15_player":["1270463"],"_player_evaluations_15_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_15_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_15_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_15_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_15_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_15_evaluation":"Nicholas A. Ferri Middle SchooL, in Johnston, is home to maybe the most u0022slept onu0022 prospect in all of Rhode Island. It's a phrase that makes no sense since kids haven't even started their high school careeru002du002dbut it kind of fits here. He's a really tough multi-sport athlete that plays a violent version of Wide Receiver, Defensive Back and Running Back. Comes with decent speed and isn't afraid to dip a shoulder to pick up an extra few yards.","_player_evaluations_15_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_16_player":["1270855"],"_player_evaluations_16_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_16_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_16_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_16_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_16_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_16_evaluation":"There isn't a tremendous amount of film on Fernandez, but his potential is clear as day, on what is out there. He's a good-sized two-way lineman at 6-foot-1 and 275 pounds, that projects to more of a Defensive Tackle than anything else. It won't fly on the next level, but Fernandez took a lot of snaps standing up in a two-point stance and was effective. On film he gets off the ball quickly and gets all his mass moving forward in short order.","_player_evaluations_16_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_17_player":["1270868"],"_player_evaluations_17_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_17_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_17_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_17_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_17_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_17_evaluation":"A bit of a throwback type of Running Back that could double as a Battering ram, with his one-cut and get downhill running style. With a good, strong build on him, I'd say he's more like a Fullback than anything else. Not a ton of flash or moves in his game, he is purely a power back. Defensively, he trends towards a Linebacker but he also does put his hand in the dirt as Defensive End.","_player_evaluations_17_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_18_player":["1158550"],"_player_evaluations_18_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_18_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_18_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_18_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_18_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_18_evaluation":"If Cote Jr. was 6-foot-whatever and 230-whatever-pounds, he'd be a prospect getting college camp invites all over the country. The reality is that while he's undersized, he plays the game fast, aggressive, hard and every other adjective you want to tag him with. He straight up gets after on every play. Has played all over the place during his youth career, including Offensive Guard and Defensive End this year for the North Kingstown Jaguars. I have him listed as a Linebackeru002du002dI think he could end up there long term.","_player_evaluations_18_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_19_player":["1270961"],"_player_evaluations_19_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_19_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_19_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_19_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_19_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_19_evaluation":"Wrapping it up with Jacob Rocha,  another member of the Mt. Hope Cowboys Pop Warner team, that reached the Pop Warner Super Bowl in December. Rocha, who also plays  7v7 with u003cspan class=u0022x1lliihq x1plvlek xryxfnj x1n2onr6 x193iq5w xeuugli x1fj9vlw x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x1i0vuye xvs91rp x1s688f x5n08af x10wh9bi x1wdrske x8viiok x18hxmgju0022 dir=u0022autou0022u003eBreakthrough Elite in addition to basketball, has really started to ascend this off-season. Has an athletic body that pairs well with his spacial awareness, allowing him to adjust and catch passes off target.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_19_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":20,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663bddbf569c7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663cef79f09b2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Additional Names To Know</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kendall Perry</strong> | <em>Quarterback</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1270933' first='Ethan' last='Machado']</strong> | <em>Defensive Back</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1270934' first='Aiden' last='Clark']</strong> | <em>Defensive Line</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1270981' first='Andrew' last='Harris']</strong> | <em>Offensive Line</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anthony Sigui</strong> | <em>Defensive Back</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cory Van Wormer</strong> | <em>Quarterback</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530120' first='Gavin' last='Boylan']</strong> | <em>Linebacker</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gian Renzi </strong>| <em>Defensive Back</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prosper Bueh </strong>| <em>Offensive Line</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Tuttle</strong> | <em>Athlete</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braden Chapman </strong>| <em>Defensive Line</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amias Reed </strong>| <em>Wide Receiver</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aiden Cabral</strong> | <em>Defensive Line</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mason Whitting</strong> | <em>Athlete</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1522021' first='Mike' last='Bettencourt']</strong> | <em>Offensive Line</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zian Paye Jr.</strong> | <em>Running Back</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wilfredo Diaz</strong> | <em>Defensive Line</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530400' first='Juelz' last='Lewis']</strong> | <em>Wide Receiver</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120209' first='Aiden' last='Momplaisar'] </strong>| Defensive Line</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530033' first='Cyrus' last='Cohn']</strong> | <em>Linebacker</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nicolas Conte</strong> | <em>Defensive Line</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->