Southern AZ Hidden Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern AZ is loaded with untapped talent that needs to be on your radar. Take a look at Pt. I of five sleepers down in southern AZ that look to be difference makers here in 2024: <img class="wp-image-1089200" style="width: 250px" src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/PRZ-Generic-Grayprznm-800x525-2-crop-640x420-1691943084-crop-639x420-1696970017-crop-511x336-1700085518.jpg" alt=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='704786' first='Jayden' last='Thoreson'], QB, Mica Mountain '25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thoreson led Mica Mountain to the 4A semifinals a season ago, and he'll look to top the numbers he put up last season. However, that won't be easy as he put up over 2,300 yards passing with 26 TD's. Thoreson possesses good arm strength to stretch the field vertically, frequently flashing his ability to hit those deep home runs balls with ease. Really good timing and ball placement on all levels as he does a great job getting his eyes downfield to proceeds reads quick. He checks a lot of boxes and I think he's on the verge of having a breakout senior campaign and seeing a jump in his stock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jthor0224/status/1737163626505736291","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/jthor0224/status/1737163626505736291 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andres Bonilla</strong>, <em>RB, Buena '25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His nickname is fitting, as Bonilla is hard nosed, physical Back that runs with authority and has frequently shown to run through contact. He hits the hole with authority and possesses excellent vision to find and burst through narrow developing lanes. He holds numerous intangibles such as good short area quickness, balance, physicality, and ball security and could be set up for a workhorse type of year for Buena here in 2024. He sizes up with a compact frame with excellent play strength within his 5'9" 190lb build. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='704782' first='Rocky' last='Stallworth'], <em>LB, Yuma Catholic '25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've talked about Stallworth before as a top name to know in 4A, and I think it's time more schools start showing him love. He comes off a ridiculous junior season totaled 163 tackles. Instinctive player with really good range and play recognition and displays good strength at the POC. One of his best strengths his is ability and awareness to drop into coverage. He did a great job in 2023 taking away the middle of the field and baiting QB's into throws. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='372331' first='Jeremiah' last='Polk'], <em>DB, Yuma Catholic '25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Polk is a very polished DB especially for 4A, and will be touted with a big responsibility here in 2024. He is almost not a sleeper, as he's received attention from various FCS programs (South Dakota State, Northern Arizona) and holds an Ivy League offer from Brown, but I don't think we've seen him close to his peak yet. He flashes violent hands with good physicality all around and isn't afraid to fly around and help stop the run when needed. He does a great job tracking the hips of receivers and possesses twitch, burst, and speed combined with his physicality to bump and run, providing him with lockdown ability on an island. A very impressive athlete that projects to have a huge fall, and I think it's time for FCS schools to pull the offer trigger. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jeremiahpolk20/status/1773907417325093236","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/jeremiahpolk20/status/1773907417325093236 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1145501' first='Evan' last='Greer'], DL, <em>Canyon Del Oro '25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greer is one of the most underrated players in 4A in my opinion, as he played a crucial part of the success in the 4A state champs season last year. As a junior, Greer racked up 15 sacks, 31.5 TFL's, and 62 total tackles and showcased an excellent football IQ to diagnose and react to plays immediately along the edges. A raw talent with really good athleticism that plays much more fierce and bigger than his listed size at 6'0" 200lbs. Really looking forward to see how Greer produces and matures this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->