Next up (Rising Freshmen to Know This Fall): Part I

Jake Lemming

August 8, 2024 @ 04:16 PM

Today starts a new series where we look at some of the top incoming 2028 prospects in the state of Texas. These prospects showed out for their youth teams last season and showed an abundance of potential on tape. Not before long, they're likely to be names shining under the lights on Friday night. Look for part II of this series to drop tomorrow afternoon.   As always, If you have someone you think I need to see, please DM them to me on Twitter at @hsfbscout!   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   ATH: [player_tooltip player_id='485516' first='Jordan' last='Hall'] 5'10" 160, Aledo   A dynamic receiver that is a nightmare to bring down in space and has the speed to outrun angles downfield. He's got the vision to spot smaller creases, he can stop & start on a dime and is willing to get physical to cap off runs. If a running lane is jammed up, Hall will cut back all the way back across the grain and outrun defenders to the corner.   ATH: [player_tooltip player_id='438734' first='Carson' last='LaCombe'] 6'3" 190, Whitehouse   A longer outside receiver prospect that is already fairly filled out and has deceptive strides on tape. He's creative with the ball in his hands, he's patient allowing for his blockers to set up ahead of him, and has the strength to muscle past arm tackle attempts between the tackles. He plays quarterback right now, but I wouldn't be shocked if he moved to receiver at the next level, he's a tremendous athlete.   QB: [player_tooltip player_id='1026277' first='Jaxon' last='Knapp'] 6'1" 165, All Saints' Episcopal   A quality level three thrower, with outstanding timing, along with the speed and shake to make you pay on the ground. He's got the improvisational skills to keep a play alive when protection breaks down, he keeps his eyes searching when outside the pocket and can make defenders look silly in space. He's a fun watch on film, who will further develop as he gets stronger.   ATH: [player_tooltip player_id='1085734' first='Cordey' last='Sherman'] 6" 155, Dekaney   An absolute burner who can make you pay if a hard edge isn't set. On tape, he can line up in the slot and provide a serious vertical threat, he's extremely slippery through contact and has the balance to evade tackles and continue on his way. He can drop his hips and explode out of his jump cut through overly aggressive defenders.   WR: Matthew Scott II, N/A, Waxahachie   An extremely shifty wide receiver that uses his natural leverage to slip past opposing tacklers. He's an electric returner who can adlib and generate yards with little blocking help. He's got in-depth vision, elite speed and can take a five-yard quick game concept and turn it into a chunk play.   RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1035302' first='Josyah' last='Johnson'] 5'9" 164, Allen   An instinctive scatback that is a gifted runner between the tackles and has some serious shake at the second & third levels. He may be smaller, but this young man runs hard and keeps his feet chugging through contact. His burst is off the charts and he's got a nasty spin move in his back pocket.   RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1082099' first='Micah' last='Rhodes'] 5'11" 190, Klein Oak   Rhodes is one tough man to get to the ground, he's a powerful runner with the ball in his hands and will barrel through tacklers that get in his way. He's more of a one-cut, downhill, north & south runner and has ridiculous contact balance.   DE: Fine Taufatofua Vailahi, 6'2" 235, Episcopal   A productive defensive end that generated immediate penetration in both the run and pass game. He's got a quick first step, he's strong as an ox at the point of attack, and has fairly loose hips for a guy his size. I think he'll likely kick down to a full-time three-technique as he continues to grow and develop.

Today starts a new series where we look at some of the top incoming 2028 prospects in the state of Texas. These prospects showed out for their youth teams last season and showed an abundance of potential on tape. Not before long, they're likely to be names shining under the lights on Friday night. Look for part II of this series to drop tomorrow afternoon.