2025 NY Rankings: Athletes

The Athlete or "ATH" position is used all across college recruiting both by media and by schools doing the recruiting themselves. At the end of the day, athleticism and measurables will always be king in football recruiting and every player headed to the next level needs development. Often there are guys who showcase on tape the ability to play multiple positions at the next level and outside of very few exceptions they will end up playing just one position at the next level even if it may be a position brand new to their football experience. I use this position "ATH" for players who I think could play either multiple positions at the next level or could end up playing a position they do not currently play in HS. It could be QB -> WR or LB -> DE and while I can only project it really comes down more to how they start off their college careers in the weight room.   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Overall</h1>    Williams out of CBA-Syracuse has primarily only played WR in High School ball but is listed as an ATH here because he is being recruited as a defensive back at the next level as well.   Williams is one of if not the fastest football player in New York and his track performance this spring showcases his speed as he ran a 10.6 100m and had multiple performances sub 10.9 this spring. Williams is a threat with the ball in his hands but what makes him such a coveted recruit is his overall athleticism and how it clearly stands out compared to other players in New York.    <h1 class="wp-block-heading">The Next 9</h1>   [player_tooltip player_id='505863' first='E'Ryan' last='Lawrence'] - Lawrence was one of the key performers for Bennett this season and with the ability to impact the game as a RB or WR Lawrence was one of the few players in the state 450+ receiving and rushing yards and eclipsed 1,645 all purpose yards while contributing defensively. Lawrence is twitched up and really explosive out of his breaks which stands out on film.   [player_tooltip player_id='390762' first='Jahyden' last='Clark'] - Clark is a really impressive two-way player who has been a key part of Canisius' program the last two seasons. Clark is the #1 WR offensively and is the best defensive back on the field for Canisius at Safety. Clark could play either way at the next level and is a player whose instincts and ball skills are evident on tape.   [player_tooltip player_id='1248559' first='Jhelani' last='Anderson'] - Anderson rivals the #1 Williams for fastest players in the state as he also is a track star for DeWitt Clinton. Anderson could play WR or CB at the next level with his ability to change direction and overall speed. His most dangerous position could be as a returner at the next level and you could argue he is one of if not the best returner in New York.   [player_tooltip player_id='505530' first='Noah' last='Mcduffie'] - McDuffie has football run in the family and he possesses a really natural two-way ability. McDuffie's older brothers were both standouts in college one a LB and one a RB. McDuffie plays RB and SAF for Bennett and was key on both sides of the ball to their success. Defensively, McDuffie is one of the best ball hawks in the state and a quick trigger to the catch point. He sees the game well and that translates to the offensive side of the ball where he showcases good vision and the ability to make guys miss in open space.   [player_tooltip player_id='751551' first='Jordan' last='Gibbs'] - Gibbs is another track star and the Syracuse commit will join Williams as a defensive back for Syracuse. I think there is some offensive potential for Gibbs when you see the tape his play speed and quickness really standout as quality traits in his game. There is not a ton of defensive back film but he has the movement skills and measurable to play there are the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='527833' first='Amari' last='Colon'] - Colon out of Monroe, who is doing a PG year at Trinity-Pawling and is the 3rd Syracuse commit on this list is a SAF/WR prospect who was one of the best WR prospects in the state when it came to his production and the tape. He is twitchy and has some explosiveness and burst to his game. The ability to play either WR or SAF in college Colon has a frame that can play at 200+ and maintain the quickness you see on film.   [player_tooltip player_id='648835' first='Gerald' last='McCloud Jr'] - McCloud is a really impressive athlete and his ability to make plays on the ball as a two-way player are what sets him a part from a lot of guys on tape. McCloud has proven production with multiple years of quality tape and play. McCloud is explosive, can high point the football, and shows explosive movements on both sides of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='735877' first='Joey' last='Gaston'] - Gaston who plays QB for Iona Prep likely is not a QB at the next level due to his size but his overall athleticism and ability to make plays with the ball in his hands showcase a player who will have a strong role somewhere at the next level. Gaston is twitched up and has some of the best short area quickness in this class. I think he has the athleticism to play WR/RB/DB/KR/PR and is a player that you look to get on the field and let his athleticism win reps.   [player_tooltip player_id='806782' first='Romeo' last='Kidd'] - Kidd will get naturally overlooked because he was one a 1 win team last season. When you turn on the tape Kidd showcases the measurables and flashes skills and athleticism that make him a super intriguing prospect. I think there is a sort of TE/LB potential here and on film Kidd already does a lot on both sides of the ball. Kidd has elite length and hitting a college weight room would give you one of the most impressive body types with his athleticism.   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Ten Names To Watch This Upcoming Season</h1>   I usually only feature 5 or less prospects in this part so these will be much shorter quick hits of analysis on these prospects.    Johnson both a QB and SAF prospect has elite length at 6'4. Think he is more of a SAF prospect because of how well he moves in open space but QB tape is intriguing.       Riggs is just one of the best performers in the state and his ball skills are evident on both sides of the ball. Has quick reactions in game and shows some burst and quickness.       Collins Jr is a part of a strong Farmingdale WR corps but his defensive tape is intriguing. Frame with true length that is hard to find he is prospect who checks measurables box and flashes some impressive playmaking ability.     Rooney could play RB or LB in college, with college RBs getting even bigger and bigger he fits that 215+ lb range that we so many schools play their workhorse RBs at. Has good instincts and trigger downhill defensively on tape as well.     Aruta a QB in a dominant run offense had a couple nice throws on tape but as a runner was physical and shifty between the tackles. Aruta is similar to former CBA-Albany QB/ATH/RB Jack Iacobaccio who is now a RB in college. Strong runner with some twitch.     How many guys had 5+ INTS and 800+ rushing yards last season? Though not everyone posts stats he is the only one I could find, and if it were not for several blowout victorys Mullins could have easily hit 1,000+ yards. RB/Nickel who lives around the ball.     Ciano is one of the better two-way WR/CB combos in WNY and his ball skills standout on state. Really consistent hands and he catches away from his body is a big plus. Shows some speed and twitch on tape as well.     [player_tooltip player_id='806357' first='Jayden' last='Jean'] probably is a LB at the next level but he has really good movement skills on tape and I think there is some RB or H-Back projection there as well. A really impressive wrestler for Bay Shore as well Jean has a lot of physical tools that are recruitable     Hinsdale is a really impressive talent out of Buffalo who lives around the ball. His offensive production was amongst the top WRs in WNY and he does a really good job of tracking the ball on both sides of the ball. Hinsdale does a good job separating with his quickness out of breaks running routes.     Ferguson who will assume the role of QB with the graduation of Kyle Meier had a lot of success last season with the ball in his hands. Defensively at LB Ferguson flys around and is violent and physical as a tackler.

The Athlete or "ATH" position is used all across college recruiting both by media and by schools doing the recruiting themselves. At the end of the day, athleticism and measurables will always be king in football recruiting and every player headed to the next level needs development. Often there are guys who showcase on tape the ability to play multiple positions at the next level and outside of very few exceptions they will end up playing just one position at the next level even if it may be a position brand new to their football experience. I use this position "ATH" for players who I think could play either multiple positions at the next level or could end up playing a position they do not currently play in HS. It could be QB -> WR or LB -> DE and while I can only project it really comes down more to how they start off their college careers in the weight room.