2026 Film Room: Athletes Pt 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The “Athlete” position in football is used for prospects who bring so much versatility and value at a number of positions that their exact projection for a position in college might not be set in stone, but they are legit prospects.&nbsp; Here we examine that group in the class in <strong>2026 Film Room: Athletes Pt 2</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='802039' first='Ayden' last='Ginn'] (St. Laurence – 5'9” 155)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ginn is an athlete that can line up at both WR and RB.&nbsp; Love the speed in the open field with the way he breaks away from defenses.&nbsp; Uses good angles on runs with the ball in his hands and is a major threat on reverse plays.&nbsp; Bounces off tacklers and keeps moving ahead.&nbsp; Gadget guy at the next level that has suddenness to his routes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801715' first='Joseph' last='Gray'] (Whitney Young – 6'0” 170)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray is a two way player as a wide receiver and linebacker.&nbsp; He probably projects best on the defensive side where he makes impact plays diagnosing early, stuffing in the box, and slicing through blocks to make tackles.&nbsp; Burst downhill.&nbsp; As a wide out he tracks the ball well deep and can also contribute in kick coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401598' first='Camren' last='Reed'] (Mascoutah – 6'2” 170)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed is a player that plays in all three phases of the game.&nbsp; On the offensive side he is a wide out that high points balls in the endzone.&nbsp; I liked him best as a DB where he made plays on the ball in the air for interceptions and impactful plays.&nbsp; Fluid down the field.&nbsp; Also brings major potential in the return game as a punt returner and kick returner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201162' first='Luke' last='Doyle'] (Benet – 5'11” 160)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doyle is a jack of all trades guy.&nbsp; Good kick return threat that can go to the house.&nbsp; As a receiver he is a possession guy that gets yards after catch with good speed.&nbsp; Gadget potential on that side as well.&nbsp; On defense he is a free safety that cuts on the ball for pick sixes and is a physical run support DB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1200813' first='Kenyon' last='Gillespie'] (Peoria Richwoods – 5'11” 135)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gillespie is a two way athlete that on the offensive side he likes to go over the middle using his long strides to make possession catches.&nbsp; Might project better as a DB where he cuts on the ball with natural instincts and is a physical tackler at the line in run support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1400842' first='Jayden' last='Karas'] (Fenwick – 5'10” 140)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Karas impacts in all three phases.&nbsp; As a wide receiver he adjusts to the ball in the air, blows past DB in man coverage, and accelerates after he gets the ball in his hands.&nbsp; As a free safety he is adept at playing center field reding the defense getting picks which he can take the other way.&nbsp; Also has punt return ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elliott Turner (Corliss – 5'8” 125)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turner contributes as a wide out, quarterback, and corner back.&nbsp; On the offensive side he is a quick slot guy that has excellent speed.&nbsp; Lines up as a wildcat QB at times using his speed to get the corner, but can also sneak in some decent throws as well.&nbsp; Might project best at corner showing flashes on film with his speed and reaction time along with coming up in run support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801988' first='Ian' last='Irps'] (Bishop McNamara – 5'11” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Irps is an H-Back on the offensive side and a defensive end/linebacker on defense.&nbsp; Offensively he has a lot of quality tools as an H-back with how he blocks, soft hands, and excellent route running.&nbsp; Defense he makes impactful plays forcing fumbles and playing with physicality.&nbsp; Biggest detractor is lack of size at only 5'11".</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801989' first='Camden' last='Maniatis'] (Andrew – 5'9” 170)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maniatis contributes as a kick returner, running back, and slot receiver at 5'9".&nbsp; Explosive cuts and makes an impact on gadget plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801892' first='Kyan' last='Short'] (Sesser-Valier – 6'1” 165)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Short is a two way threat as a WR and DB.&nbsp; Possession receiver on the offensive side of the ball with his size and good hands.&nbsp; Defensively at DB he provides good tackling and awareness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->