2025 Season: Southern Maryland skills players to Know - Part 1

Southern Maryland football is stacked with young talent heading into 2025. These athletes have already proven themselves as key contributors to their teams. This season, they'll have the chance to solidify their status as some of the region's best.   Note: This article will feature offensive skill players.   [player_tooltip player_id='1092014' first='Ronald' last='Johnson'] | Lackey | Running Back | 6-0 | 195 | 2026   Johnson is a dynamic running back with the potential to be a game-changer at the next level. Based on the 15 or so plays I watched, he exhibits good vision and patience in reading blocks. On a 45-yard sideline run, his awareness to read the edge defender and linebacker committing inside allowed him to bounce outside for a touchdown. Johnson is strong at breaking tackles and staying upright. His long-stride speed helps him outrun defenders over long distances. Johnson is versatile in inside and outside running schemes. He needs to develop a "second gear" for top-end speed. Added quickness can also help him accelerate faster through gaps to maximize gains. If he improves these things, he could become a more attractive recruit as a running back who can excel in both open-field and short-yardage situations.   David Nnabuko | Westlake | Running Back | 5-11 | 165 | 2026   Nnabuko demonstrated impressive playmaking ability and consistent high-impact performances throughout his junior-year season. He carried the football 42 times for 415 yards and three touchdowns while not being the primary ball carrier for his team. After watching his film, I realized that his vision and field awareness are some of his strengths. For example, on a 70-yard touchdown run, he recognized the outside linebacker committing inside and adjusted outside to capitalize on the block. There were a few other plays where he demonstrated an ability to see defensive shifts and adapt quickly to them. Nnabuko also showed long speed (the film showed 90-yard and 70-yard touchdowns) and burst at the line of scrimmage on other runs. He also showed his tackle-breaking ability, consistently powering through initial contact. His balance and lower-body strength help him get those yards after contact. He also has the agility and foot quickness to evade tacklers in the backfield. Would like to see a few more plays of him in both receiving and pass-blocking situations.   [player_tooltip player_id='377531' first='Jordan' last='Johnson'] | Calvert | Quarterback | 5-10 | 150 | 2026   During the 2024 season, Johnson completed 111-of-174 passes for 1,371 yards, ten touchdowns, and three interceptions. His team went 5-4 during the regular season. During the early part of his junior-year campaign, Johnson had a high completion rate, including 87% against Thomas Stone (12-for-14 for 140 yards and one touchdown in a 35-0 win). He and his team had a rough three-game stretch with losses towards the end of the season, which saw his percentage drop nearly 50%. Overall, he finished with a 63.8% completion rate, which is a good number. Will re-visit this evaluation once he has his junior-year highlights available.   [player_tooltip player_id='1314930' first='William' last='Drakeford'] | Westlake | QB |  6-2 | 185 | 2026   Drakeford completed 108-of-178 passes for 1,279 yards, 17 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He carried the football 51 times on the ground for 356 yards and one touchdown. During the 2024 season, he helped lead his team to a 10-3 record. His passing performance was most dominant during the middle stretch of the season. That included his best passing game of the year against McDonogh on Oct. 24. He completed 5-of-10 passes for 205 yards and three touchdown passes. Drakeford showed consistency in passing, with an overall 60.7% completion rate. His four interceptions indicate that he was careful with the football. Will re-visit this evaluation once his junior-year highlights are available.   [player_tooltip player_id='268288' first='Blake' last='Pasik'] | Northern | Quarterback | 6-0 | 181 | 2026   Pasik completed 281-of-408 passes for 4,083 yards and 43 touchdowns and carried the football 113 times for 508 yards and six touchdowns this past season. He has an effective combination of arm strength, accuracy, and mobility for a quarterback at his level. His ability to process defenses quickly, extend plays, and consistently complete tight-window throws make him an attractive prospect. Pasik's production on the field speaks for itself. On his highlights, he makes a variety of throws (fade routes, seam passes, slants, and on-the-move throws), showcasing his arm strength. Pasik shows great composure when faced with interior pressure, consistently finding receivers or taking the best option. His red-zone efficiency stood out in his film as well. Pasik's throws exhibit a quick, clean release with good velocity; I love his ball placement on fade routes and throws in tight coverage shown in his film. Within the first 10-15 plays on his highlights, I would like to see more plays that show him working through his progressions a little more. However, it's hard to argue with his ability to capitalize on high-percentage plays.   Jayden Willis | St. Charles | Quarterback | 2026   Willis completed 85-of-151 passes for 939 yards (56.3% passing), six touchdowns and six interceptions. Despite his team having a rough season, he is a promising quarterback with raw talent and the potential to have an even better senior season. Willis' ability to make both short and long throws, along with flashes of good decision-making and poise under pressure, sets a solid foundation. He can deliver accurate throws on out-routes, fades, and deep passes. Willis can stretch the field with mostly sideline and fade routes. Willis takes risks and trusts his receivers to come down with the 50/50 balls. I do like the touch on his float passes over defenders. Willis will have to improve his touchdowns to interception ratio, but it's clear that's not all on him. If he continues to work on his timing and anticipation, he can make quicker reads and improve his ability to hit receivers in stride and maximize yards after the catch.   Other articles to read   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/2025-season-souther-maryland-skills-players-to-know-part-1/">Southern Maryland  2025 Season Players to Know - Part 1</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/meet-some-of-the-iacs-offensive-stars-in-the-2026-class-pt-1/">Meet some of the IAC's offensive stars in the 2026 Class – Pt . 1</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/maryland-d-c-2027-prospects-already-on-the-radar-pt-1/">Maryland/D.C. 2027 prospects already on the radar – Pt. 1</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/2025-season-western-maryland-skill-players-to-know-part-1/">2025 Season: Western Maryland Skill Players to Know – Part 1</a>

Southern Maryland football is stacked with young talent heading into 2025. These athletes have already proven themselves as key contributors to their teams. This season, they'll have the chance to solidify their status as some of the region's best.