NY Season Breakouts: Section V 2027 Athletes

There was an article just recently about the standout <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/11/section-v-senior-running-back-standouts/">senior running backs in Rochester</a>; while the 2026 class does have some talent, there is a very intriguing amount of sophomore breakouts this season and players who really showed promise as prospects at the next level - some of these guys performed at such a level they already have received Division One offers & interest.   Some of these guys I knew about heading into the season and were in my database or watchlist but for the most part this is their first year contributing on Varsity. Also, I know I am using the term "Athlete" in the title - some of these guys player one position, some play both ways, and some do everything - regardless they are all very athletic guys who stood out as sophomores.    Walker certainly looks the part at 6'3, 180. He is a long/lean athlete who is a long strider and looks to have an impressive vertical on tape. There is a lot to like on his sophomore tape; he probably is one of the top jump ball receivers in the state, with his leaping ability and strong hands. He flashes contact balance and body control in the air. Although there is a lot of room to improve as a route runner and expand his route tree, he is far ahead of plenty of D1 prospects in the state at the WR position - continuing to develop athleticism, strength, and body control as he gets older and in the weight room will be the key aspects of his development.     Barr is on the same team as Walker, and they created about as dynamic as a 1a & 1b WR duo you can have going forward - Barr does play both ways, but this year, I think he is probably the better WR prospect. Barr has a large catch radius, tracks the ball well downfield, and can create in-space and on-screen passes. He is a filled-out 6'3 that has the body strength to break through arm tackles.   Just based off his movements and size, I wouldn't be surprised if he was viewed as a safety or Rover prospect by some but there is a lot to like.     White may be the best pure athlete on this list - he does it all for UPrep and will likely be their QB next season with the graduation of Stony Brook Commit [player_tooltip player_id='805581' first='Tavion' last='Byrd'] - White can take handoffs, play the WR position, was extremely effective when he filled in at QB, made plays as the punter taking botched snaps for touchdowns, and was a very effective returner.   White has a basketball background and is every bit of 6'3. What is so impressive about White's tape and why he has so much Division 1 interest is his agility, change of direction, long speed, and bend/flexibility. In basic terms, not many guys 6'3 can move the way White does.   There is not enough tape at a single position to really hone in on positional skillsets to get a full evaluation, which is fine because he is a sophomore, but White clearly has the athleticism of an FBS prospect.     Webster Schroeder has the Washington family to thank with the amount of these guys who have come through their ranks and performed at a high level for multiple years on Varsity. Travis is the only guy on this list who is potentially a DB first based on his sophomore tape, but I think he has the athleticism and ability to be a WR prospect.   At Corner, Washington has very quick feet - he has very loose hips and the ability to turn and run with receivers - he does an excellent job on deeper comeback and out routes, flipping his hips and closing on the catch point.   There is a ton of tape of him in coverage - more than you usually see for a CB prospect, so I am left pretty confident in his coverage skills. I also saw him at DB Clinic in Buffalo and really impressed with the movement skills I saw live.   Washington does need to continue developing the game in front of him, he shows the willingness to tackle and will take on blocks but he adds some more physicality to his game and the sky is the limit.     Thomas was extremely productive for an Eastridge team that made a serious run in the playoffs that surprised many. Thomas only has a midseason film out, but he was a big part of that playoffs run - his midseason film is solid - he plays RB primarily but may end up more of a safety prospect. He plays with great motor and is willing to play the game in a physical and violent manner.   I am going to need to see him live to get a good grasp of his athleticism, you see some flashes of change of direction and speed on tape but there needs to be more consistency in his full speed movements. No doubt a good looking prospect, who was an effective producer at multiple positions.     Wagstaff was a big-time contributor to Rush-Henrietta's impressive run to the Section V AA Final. Wagstaff can line up all over the offense with a lot of film from RB & WR and in an SS position on defense. Wagstaff is a solid athlete; he does a good job of making guys miss in open spaces and is a very smooth-looking athlete as he changes direction.   His best skill set is his versatility. I think he still needs to add some strength to his frame and even continue to develop that athleticism, but there are guys who just have really good football instincts, and Wagstaff is one of those guys.

There was an article just recently about the standout senior running backs in Rochester; while the 2026 class does have some talent, there is a very intriguing amount of sophomore breakouts this season and players who really showed promise as prospects at the next level - some of these guys performed at such a level they already have received Division One offers & interest.