Tuesday Film Room: 2028 Skill Players Standing Out

Jake Lemming

October 29, 2024 @ 11:14 AM

There's plenty of young talent across the Lone Star State, they're just waiting to be seen. Today, I'm looking at some talented freshmen skill players that are already shining at the varsity level. Their positions and skill sets may vary, but they all have potential for the next level. They're young and still developing, so I will definitely be keeping an eye on them over their next three seasons.   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: Joziah McNeely, 5'10" 175, Cypress Park   I've written about McNeely before and he just keeps getting better. This kid is fearless venturing in the teeth of a defense, he's got quick hands to puck the football out of the air and can adjust his body for poorly placed throws. He's got strength and balance after the catch, he's a tough & more than willing blocker and can line up in the backfield and generate explosive plays with patience and burst.   WR: Avant Clayton, 5'9" 180, Andress   Avant runs with good forward body lean and is not afraid to lower his shoulder to cap off runs. He's got the twitch and powerful hands to defeat press coverage, he catches everything placed within the framework of his body and plays much bigger than his listed height. This kid is a possession machine and can make impact on all three levels of the field.   WR: [player_tooltip player_id='438734' first='Carson' last='LaCombe'], 6'3" 190, Whitehouse   Carson's vertical stature makes him quite intriguing on paper. Beyond that though, this kid can go up and get the football at its highest point, he uses his frame to box out much smaller defenders and can generate a plethora of yards after the catch by simply getting vertical. He's a pretty fluid route runner for a taller receiver and transitions well at the top of routes.   WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1577306' first='Brendyn' last='Jackson'], 6'1" 170, Midlothian   I wrote about Jackson as well recently and love this kid's upside. He works back to his quarterback at the top of his route, he shows strong hands through contested catches and can contort his body to make acrobatic catches. He's quicker than he is fast right now, he gets north and south following a reception and has the power to muscle through arm tackles on the perimeter.   TE: Sloan Blackwell, 6'4" 210, Lorena   A sneaky pass-catcher off play-action who does his best work in the short-intermediate game. He's surehanded, can set the edge and displace defenders as a blocker, and has the body control to sustain blocks against much quicker foes. His frame and willingness to block inline will make him someone college coaches will have an interest in.

There's plenty of young talent across the Lone Star State, they're just waiting to be seen. Today, I'm looking at some talented freshmen skill players that are already shining at the varsity level. Their positions and skill sets may vary, but they all have potential for the next level. They're young and still developing, so I will definitely be keeping an eye on them over their next three seasons.