PRZVA Team Preview, Salem Sundevils of Virginia Beach

<p class="text-gray-700">Boasts a lengthy, seven-minute tape, fully encompassing the prolific production put forth during [player_tooltip player_id='1231440' first='Jason' last='Williams']' junior campaign. 1,900 yards racked up, 17 scores to boot. Salem VB will head into the 2024 season with a top ten quarterback prospect behind center, one who was 44 spots shy of ranking as a Top 100 player. 6'3, 185-190 pounds. The stats laid out above came in just nine games, I might add. [player_tooltip player_id='1231440' first='Jason' last='Williams'] announced his commitment to Navy Football on June 26th, a fantastic addition to the 2025 Navy class. Beyond comfortable in a spread system, the majority of Williams' production comes after great decision-making quickly after receiving the snap. Can operate a mesh with his back in the backfield, whether it be to tuck the rock and run himself, or to run a play-action fake to pull the ball and deliver a ball over the top of a secondary. A lot of what Williams displays on tape has to excite an offense like Navy's, a lot of what you see at Salem VB can be translatable if Williams were to see the field at Navy down the line. I'm expecting even more production out of the dual-threat athlete. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JasonnWilliams_/status/1806075693039571350 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">At Williams' disposal will be the 2nd-highest ranking wideout among members of the class of 2027, that being [player_tooltip player_id='1311468' first='Kasir' last='Patterson']. One of the more sought-after underclassmen pass-catchers the state of Virginia has to offer. 6'4, 180 pounds, the incoming sophomore already holds offers out of UConn, Syracuse, South Carolina, West Virginia, Indiana, and UNC Charlotte, just to name a few. A top ten prospect, one that is unlikely to leave that top ten threshold moving forward. Patterson has a top five overall ceiling. Having a young man who can stretch the field like Patterson can, opposing DCs with Salem on schedule likely have their first headache. Attacking vertically is an obvious choice, you'd love to make use of this kid's stride, yet much of Patterson's freshman tape has him eating within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage. A comfortable target, a wide frame to throw balls into, this is a kid who can dominate inside of 15 when tasked with running slants, hitches, outs. Get him the ball, he's a tough runner who's big enough to drag the average DB for first downs. Excited to see sophomore tape out of Patterson this coming December.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_kasirpatterson/status/1787919902029848708 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1234370' first='Justin' last='Hastings'] is an incoming senior on our Watchlist. A pass-catcher with numerous single-game cuts up on Hudl, yet nothing in the form of a seasonal tape, so I'm a bit unsure what his role is inside the Sundevil offense. Turning on the mid-season tape, I can figure Hastings' role to be similar to that of [player_tooltip player_id='1311468' first='Kasir' last='Patterson']'s. An occasional deep or contested shot can show off his 50/50 ball capabilities, but a ton of production coming inside of 15-20 yards. Unsure about socials, unsure about measurables too. Would be great to learn more about Hastings considering he's entering the final year of HS ball.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1231440' first='Jason' last='Williams'] will have senior TE [player_tooltip player_id='1231458' first='Blake' last='McClung'], a pass-catcher ranked inside the top five at his position, back to take on Beach District opponents. A Lacrosse participant, plays center on the basketball court, McClung weighs 220 pounds, standing at 6'3". Could two-way as a TE/DE, but likely a future at TE when projecting to the next level. Received a Division One grade out of me, placing well among a phenomenal 2025 Virginia class. Currently holds offers out of Charlotte, Bluefield U, and Newport U. McClung's value comes in not being a liability when calling run or pass sets. You can make the argument that McClung doesn't need to come off the field, which again, is why I like to project him to stay on the offensive side of the ball when talking collegiate ball. You can call inside zone runs with McClung in the huddle, you can call spread sets with McClung split out wide. Versatile athlete, one you can win with.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Blake__McClung/status/1732801908966867056 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Salem will deploy two top ten 2027 prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='1311468' first='Kasir' last='Patterson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1311471' first='Jack' last='Strother'], neither of which outrank the best senior offensive lineman in Virginia regardless of class. [player_tooltip player_id='1228316' first='Jaylen' last='Gilchrist'] recently announced his commitment to Maryland, picking the Terps over the likes of Georgia and South Carolina. 6'5, an official 315 pounds, the Salem Sundevils will win on offense because of the tone set by one of the more dominant tackles the entire Northeast region had to offer. Gilchrist doesn't have junior tape up on Hudl, yet I've heard enough from HS coaches, from stamps of approvals via collegiate suitors, to know what Gilchrist brings to the table. A huge get for Terps Football. Missing out on PA's Kahlil Stewart, who flipped to Syracuse a couple of months back, was thought to have potentially damaged Maryland's stock among OL in the Northeast. Landing a player of this caliber rejects that notion completely. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/7_5ive/status/1819833264795730430 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Salem has at their disposal a national recruit entering his sophomore season at wideout, one of if not the best tackle in the state, a three-sport TE who can play on every down, you'd figure they can't have more to throw at a defense, can they? Insert Howard commit [player_tooltip player_id='1228864' first='Fabian' last='Wells'], who recently ranked 11 spots outside of the PRZVA 2025 Top 50. Ranked as a two-way prospect, Salem is getting a true playmaker on both sides of the football. Expect the senior to double-down on a 1,000+ scrimmage yard season and put forth the same production this coming Fall. Accounted for 11 scores, 2 interceptions, 90+ tackles to boot. The perfect glue to mesh this offense together, the perfect addition to the size and strength McClung and Patterson provide. A three-level pass-catcher who can score from any point on the field. A DB comfortable enough to play the run and pass from his two-high safety alignment. A dog coming downhill. An absolute steal headed to play FCS ball at Howard U. Expect the bulk of production to land on Wells shoulders this coming season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/fabiandayshawn1/status/1795899960761721169 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1313461' first='Kaeden' last='Drenning'] is a name on our watchlist repping Salem VB. No seasonal tape on Hudl, an evaluation or ranking will have to wait for another time. Currently on our database as an "ATH". Has numerous single-game cut-ups on Hudl, likely proving he played some kind of role on defense or special teams last Fall. Is an incoming sophomore, so plenty of time to prove himself and land on our radars, I'll be on the look out. What's worth mentioning, legendary recruiting analyst Tom Lemming mentioned in an X post that HC Marc Hall loves Drenning's potential at DB. 6'1, 165, Drenning picked up an offer out of UConn this past April, a stamp of approval that should have landed him on our ranks, this an oversight on my part. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Kaeden_Drenning/status/1785001358858342662 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Top 300 ranking for incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='1231521' first='Talon' last='Evans']. 6'0.5, 305 pounds, currently holds a 3.85 GPA that has led to Evans picking up offers out of Newport U and McDaniel College. As we transition to the defensive side of this preview, we notice that Salem can station impactful defenders at all three layers of the field. [player_tooltip player_id='1228864' first='Fabian' last='Wells'] can man a safety position, [player_tooltip player_id='1297741' first='Markus' last='McCoy'] can do damage at the second-level, whereas [player_tooltip player_id='1231521' first='Talon' last='Evans'] will be relied on to clog running lanes between the C-gaps. Beef and lower body strength, some of the weight room numbers Evans has put on Twitter give you an idea of the power behind his frame. Ranked a defensive lineman, projects to IDL at the next level, yet Evans' tape begins with exemplary tape at IOL. One of the more heavy-handed, heavy-limbed prospects I've come across after evaluating Virginia statewide. A phenomenal paver, can push humans back with ease at times, ton of displacement on both sides of the ball. Likely to get overshadowed by some of the flashier names on roster, yet don't be mistaken, Evans' play is going to decide football games this coming Fall.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TalonEvans78/status/1822304521147552134 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Another piece of the defensive puzzle. A well-ranked OLB/Edge Rusher, [player_tooltip player_id='1297741' first='Markus' last='McCoy'] will be expected to play the disruptor role with his hand off the dirt. Said role McCoy excelled in last Fall, firing off the edge around tackles who were too slow out of their stance to potentially throttle McCoy's rush. McCoy isn't 6'3, 225, yet he rushes the passer with phenomenal pace. McCoy is often unblocked off the LOS, often on purpose. McCoy has the discipline and lateral agility to not be fooled by opposing play-calling or flow. McCoy has an understanding of how to take pursuit angles that lead to sacks and TFLs, not angles that have him whiffing in the backfield. Athleticism, burst, and explosion are key traits McCoy relies on to wreak havoc in an offensive backfield. Can't go without mentioning the energy boost McCoy provides the defense. Every sack or TFL is followed by juice to get the rest of his teammates going. Likely a perennial Top 250 prospect moving forward. Great tape for a sophomore.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MarkusMcCoy26/status/1783150671312597032 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Ranked as the third-best defensive back among 2027 classmates representing the state of Virginia. A bright future, [player_tooltip player_id='1311471' first='Jack' last='Strother'] has already racked up three Group of Five offers, with UConn, Buffalo, and East Carolina picking up the phone to offer the sophomore DB. Beside Drenning and Wells will be Strother, the trio creating one formidable secondary that will likely test the best offenses the Beach District has to offer. Strother will man a boundary corner position, whereas Wells and Drennign are likely to station at safety. Strother can be counted on to flip his hips and run with many down the sideline. Great size at 6'1, 170, Strother could likely man a safety position at this size as well, if an emergency were to unfold. Stays in phase when covering inside or outside breaking routes within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage. Uses pre-snap cushion and post-snap leverage to his advantage. Kudos to whoever is coaching up this young man, he looks trustworthy beyond his years.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LemmingReport/status/1753405331902767333 </div></figure>