PRZNY Team Previews: University Prep Griffins

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2023 Season (9-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>UPrep was one of the top Class AA teams in Rochester last season. With a seven-game win streak to start the season, UPrep easily handled its first seven opponents. UPrep's first loss of the year came against Hilton in a tough game, which saw the Hilton defense slow down UPrep's top offensive weapons. Its next loss came against a very strong McQuaid team that went through the regular season undefeated. UPrep had the talent to get to states, and they fell just short in the sectional final, where McQuaid's depth and run game proved to be a tough matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospect</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["805581"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a9024b10d19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Byrd is one of the best quarterbacks and athletes in the state. He shows the burst and twitch with the ball in his hands to make plays with his legs and flashes some really special arm talent with a smooth release and an accurate deep ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So why #3 in the class? It will be hard to reach #1 with it being the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year, but Byrd, in one year of Varsity, put some high-quality stuff on tape. You see arm strength, the ability to throw with anticipation, and the ability to move and play with his legs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can move up our rankings, and to be honest, I do expect him to. The way he can do it is to be more dominant than he was as a Junior. Well, it is not a "pass." Byrd played his first year on varsity just last season. He was hot out of the gate but struggled in a few games. The traits of a DI recruit are there, but more consistency and turning up his game to the next level are the next step for Byrd. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Next Five Prospects</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["403046"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a9024b10d86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Robinson had a couple of flashy games last year, most notably a 300+ yard game at the end of the season. Robinson, who also plays safety, is a smooth athlete. He makes cuts look effortless and runs with a gradual acceleration instead of a lot of jumps, stops, and goes. He is a mix of elusive and strong and can get off tackles or make guys miss. He excels in catching the ball out of the backfield and is one of the more complete backs on tape when you watch the film. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["814966"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a9024b10dce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooken comes to University Prep from Wilson Magnet and a school that struggled to have any consistent success on offense or in the win column. Brooken has a big catch radius and knows how to use his size, and while he may get the Tyrell Simmons comparison with similar stature they are different type os receivers. Brooken is a physical athlete who still is growing into his ability to control his athleticism and basketball player whose explosiveness is his best trait is not the savvy route runner Simmons was but instead makes tough contest catches and can contort and turn to make plays. Brooken has two years left and can make a lot of progress as a WR prospect, he likely isn't the #1 this year anyway for UPrep but there is a lot of potential with his frame and the coaching he will get. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806370"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a9024b10e12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sampson returns after a strong first year on varsity. Sampson who plays corner for University Prep will be a big reason their defensive backfield returns a strong group. Sampson has solid ball skills but excels in coverage. Sampson only had 1 INT last season but his 13 PBUs were amongst the top DBs in New York. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1344737"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a9024b10e52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miller will also get some running back reps but linebacker is not only his best position but where he makes a lot of Plays for UPrep, second on the team in tackles Miller plays with good closing speed moving sideline to sideline, he more evades blocks than having to shed them but flashes some quickness and athleticism in open space. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735821"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a9024b10e92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson is the heartbeat of the defense and its most impactful returner when it comes to what you see in the box score. Wilson is a smaller LB prospect but is still very physical at the point of attack and flashes some violence as a tackler. Wilson does a good job fighting through blocks and uses his hands well when forced to shed offensive lineman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Player</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1352927"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a9024b10ed2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I went for one of the young guys here because UPrep will rely a lot on the guys who already have a lot of varsity experience. Brookins will add to the OL and help replace the size they lost to graduation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brookins already shows impressive movement skills, and the big man has one of the highest ceilings in the 2027 OL class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Names To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Name</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Year</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Position</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='805583' first='Jayvon' last='Johnson']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Wide Receiver</td><td>Likley WR1, top returning varsity target</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='805582' first='Sean' last='Stevens-Harvey']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Offensive Line</td><td>Now the veteran on the OL, solid DIII prospect with good Jr tape</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='805589' first='Stuart' last='Smith']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Offensive Line</td><td>Solid OL/DL prospect</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='814959' first='Chauncey' last='Sherman']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Safety</td><td>Transfer from Wilson Magnet, starting SAF with solid Jr film</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='814965' first='Shaquan' last='Walker']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Linebacker</td><td>Transfer from Wilson Magnet, will add depth and quickness to LB room</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1346227' first='Kendrell' last='Brooks Jr']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Linebacker</td><td>Solid LB Prospect</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1348221' first='Jameer' last='Walters']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Wide Receiver</td><td>Two-sport athlete could be in the mix at DB</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Gregory Bodine III</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Wide Receiver/Safety</td><td>A key player on the DL, has varsity experience will be relied on at DT this year</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Cashmere Williams</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Defensive Tackle</td><td>Key player on the DL, has varsity experience will be relied on at DT this year</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1639434' first='Jameek' last='Johnson']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Tight End</td><td>Young TE prospect with high ceiling, will be first impactful year on varsity</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1513210' first='Gavin' last='White']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Wide Reciever</td><td>Limited varsity experience, could mix in at WR or DB</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">James Wilmington</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Quarterback</td><td>Young QB name to know for the future. </td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Losses/Commitments</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR/OLB - Tyrell Simmons - Buffalo<br>WR - Juelz Russell - Maine<br>C - Dallas Harris - Cortland<br>DL - Khalid Bala-Allah - Utica<br>TE/FB/ATH - Isaiah Moonschein - Utica<br>TE - Alex Laboy - Rochester<br>OL - Dezmere Fazor </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Schedule</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/UprepFball/status/1772969964393164951","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/UprepFball/status/1772969964393164951 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Outlook</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>University Prep heads into the season as one of the top teams in Section V. They start off the season with a serious non-conference matchup against St. Anthony's of the CHSFL from Long Island. The Friars will travel to Rochester, which is a plus for UPrep. In the outlook of that specific game, UPrep has the advantage at quarterback and potentially at wide receiver. Still, this game will be dual between the size of St. Anthony's and the speed and athleticism of UPrep. The games will be back-to-back against Hilton and McQuaid; the two teams that gave UPrep some trouble last season will be an important portion of the season. Additionally, starting strong against a tough St. Anthony's team and an Aquinas team bound to be better than last season will be important for UPrep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have a tougher schedule this season, but they return [player_tooltip player_id='805581' first='Tavion' last='Byrd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='403046' first='C.J.' last='Robinson'], one of if not the most talented backfield duo in New York at QB and RB. Their big losses are at the WR position, but they got a revamp there from some transfers who should be able to make an impact early on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Things Going For The Griffins</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They return one of the state's most athletic quarterback/running back duos, who can both make plays on any down in any situation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Multiple young players in [player_tooltip player_id='1352927' first='Isaiah' last='Brookins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1639434' first='Jameek' last='Johnson'], and Cashmere Williams, have a ton of potential and will likely have very impactful roles on varsity this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The revamped WR group, with the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='814966' first='Paris' last='Brooken'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1348221' first='Jameer' last='Walters'] to go along with [player_tooltip player_id='805583' first='Jayvon' last='Johnson'], really will help cover up the losses of Tyrell Simmons and Juelz Russell to D1 ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1 Area To Be Concerns</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dallas Harris graduated and will suit up for Cortland, leaving some big shoes for UPrep to fill. Harris has been one of the top Section V offensive linemen for multiple seasons. He has been one of the best blockers and the leader of the UPrep offensive line and helped [player_tooltip player_id='805581' first='Tavion' last='Byrd'] make such a seamless transition to varsity. Harris is a huge loss on the offensive line and a player that UPrep will struggle to replace. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Last Word</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think this year, we will see [player_tooltip player_id='805581' first='Tavion' last='Byrd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='403046' first='C.J.' last='Robinson'] hit another gear in their game. Although Tavion has a strong set of D1 offers, he has already really become one of the best players in the state, and C.J. follows up two very strong years of Varsity play with his best as a Senior. With a tough schedule, UPrep I think enters the playoffs with a worse record than last season but overall will end up making it further in the postseason with the experience they have at the QB position. It could be a couple of different guys, but this team has the talent for 1 or 2 more players to break out offensively, and with Robinson and Sampson returning alongside two solid LBs on defense with some new additions to the group, there is a strong, experienced group returning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->