AYF Nationals Notebook: 13U Bolts and Cowboys Rely On Experience

<p>The AYF 13U D2 bracket featured teams from coast to coast, in one of the most competitive age groups in the country--regardless if playing D1-D3. Below is a look at eight prospects--four from the San Diego Bolts and four from the Rosedale Cowboys--that were at AYF Nationals in 2023 and returned in 2024 to stand out.</p>    <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>During the 2023 AYF National Championship tournament I didn't get a chance to watch the 12U Rosedale Cowboys as much as I wanted to, but I did take note of three prospects that stood out. Fast forward to 2024, now as 13U prospects, I noted more Cowboys that I liked but for consecutive years, it started with [player_tooltip player_id='1582416' first='Traylen' last='Johnson'].</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>From what I'm told, Johnson had an MVP-worthy performance in both the State Championship and Regional Championship rounds to help get the Cowboys down to AYF Nationals for the second year in a row.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Physically, he passed the eye test right away. Put together very well with a lot of developed muscle already. Strong lower body was evident in the way he exploded when moving around the football field. Played Wide Receiver and Defensive Back, but really caught my eye on the offensive side of the ball. Was used in motion a decent amount. Really looked the part.</li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Just as he did to me last year as a member of the 12U San Diego Bolts, [player_tooltip player_id='1475883' first='Davon' last='Dunn Jr.'] again separated himself from the pack this year with excellent speed and acceleration--just now a member of the 13U Bolts squad.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>A year ago he was primarily getting carries out of the backfield and locking people up as a Cornerback. One year, a few inches and a good 10-15 pounds of added muscle later, Dunn Jr. did still get carries out of the backfield, caught some passes as a Wide Receiver, but really shined as a Safety during the 2024 AYF Nationals run.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Truly impacted the game in all three phases down at AYF Nationals. From picking up nice chunks of yard offensively, to kick and punt returns, to playing a ball-hawking style of Safety--Dunn Jr. was seemingly everywhere on every play.</li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Last year as a 12U player, I jotted down Wilkerson's name as a prospect that did some good things but wasn't there yet physically. A year later as a 13U player in December 2024, Wilkerson checked that box for me.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Was hard to miss with bright yellow gloves, ankle wraps and T-shirt sticking out during the game I was able to check out. Looked very fluid while moving around the field with the ball in his hands. Has one cut and accelerate type of mobility.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Wilkerson is a nice looking prospect from a physical stand point. One of the handful of Rosedale Cowboys that caught my eye quickly based off simply how they looked. He's a long strider that lined up at Running Back, but could easily play in the slot. Was impressed by his ability to get up field quickly, after sticking his foot in the ground. </li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>It was my second year in a row seeing Alvarez at AYF Nationals, and for the second year the kid wearing jersey No.0 was one of the first prospects that caught my eye when looking at the San Diego Bolts.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>A year ago as a member of the 12U SD Bolts, I liked him as a Running Back and Linebacker. This year, he was noticeably thicker and more muscular than 365 days ago. While I was moving around to the various fields, it appeared he played more Receiver than Running Back from what I saw. That said, both of those offensive positions fall in line behind his future as a Linebacker.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Alvarez really took strides this year in his play as a Linebacker. Brings that offensive skill position speed to the Outside LB spot and hits with a purpose. Really looked the part of a kid that will either play Linebacker or some type of hybrid Strong Safety, based off what I saw in December 2024.</li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Looking back at my 2023 notes from last year's AYF, Witherspoon was on my radar as a Quarterback and Linebacker that I liked. Returning this year, he was again a prospect I liked at the Quarterback position</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Witherspoon looked to be a little above average height and weight, when comparing him to other Quarterbacks at this level nationally. Has a decent build on him and looked slightly advanced from a physical standpoint. Nothing extraordinary in terms of his arm or ability at this point in December 2024, but he simply did his job and executed.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Had a rough start to the tournament, drawing the eventual 13U D2 National Champion Westside Cubs out of Detroit. However Witherspoon and the Cowboys bounced back with a 8-0 victory over Olympus out of New Jersey, to finish 5th in their bracket.</li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>For the second consecutive year, Lauifi stood out on a San Diego Bolts team full of prospects with bright futures. Also for the second consecutive year, he stood out on both sides of the ball.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Running Back is where Lauifi has caught my attention the last two years. He's fast, but not necessarily a burner out of the backfield. Mixed above average speed with very good agility and the power to finish off runs.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Defensively, in my opinion as of December 2024, he has more of an Outside Linebacker build on him than a Cornerback build, but that's where he was lining up, when I had the opportunity to watch him. Truth be told, I think Lauifi has the ability to play several positions, and how he grows will determine where he lines up.</li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Last year at AYF Nationals, [player_tooltip player_id='1582459' first='Geron' last='Mills II'] was on the the 12U Rosedale squad that made it down to Naples, but ultimately was not on my radar. This year on the 13U Rosedale squad, Mills II was one of the first prospects I noticed in warmups.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>He was one of the bigger, thicker kids on the Cowboys squad in 2024. While he was used primarily on defense, coaches did bring him in on the offensive side of the ball as an H-Back. Used almost exclusively as a blocker, he came in during obvious running situations.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>As a Linebacker, Mills II looked more at home than any other position he played on the field. Again, a thicker kid in comparison to his teammates, he shed blockers well and was strong at the point of contact. His overall speed and laterally quickness can (and will) improve as he continues on, but he plays with good LB instincts and embraced contact.</li> </ul>     <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The San Diego Bolts rode Hardy to the AYF National Championships a year ago as their Quarterback. In 2024, he was again part of a core group that saw the Bolts return to the tournament.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>When I saw two Quarterbacks warming up, my eyes naturally went to the Quarterback who looked more physically developed as of December 2024 (Manny Walker). Then, without even realizing I'd seen him before (I did not have a roster yet), I had a hard time taking my eyes away from No.4 slingin' the rock.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>While he doesn't have the physical stature of Walker, he threw as good or better of a ball, as Walker did. The winds were fierce and with so many skilled weapons on the outside, I see why the Bolts wanted to test out two arms. In addition, I noticed Hardy was super slippery when he got moving in space. If he grows tall enough and plays in the right system, he could be giving defenses fits for years to some in So.Cal</li> </ul>

The AYF 13U D2 bracket featured teams from coast to coast, in one of the most competitive age groups in the country--regardless if playing D1-D3. Below is a look at eight prospects--four from the San Diego Bolts and four from the Rosedale Cowboys--that were at AYF Nationals in 2023 and returned in 2024 to stand out.