AYF Nationals Notes: Idaho’s AA Lions Top 2030 Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off a 25-6 victory over the Salisbury Elite out of Maryland, take this as a warning to not sleep on the AA Lions or the state of Idaho. Playing in their first game, of their first AYF National tournament, the AA Lions are just two victories away from winning the AYF 12U D3 National Title. The Meridian, Idaho-based team is comprised mainly of 2030 prospects (seventh grade as of December 2024) but also have some younger pups too. Here's a look at who impressed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1578186"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675a1896bcdec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Without a question the prospect with the biggest upside as of December 2024, is [player_tooltip player_id='1578186' first='Tanner' last='McDonald']. Currently only a class of 2030 prospect, McDonald looks as physically and athletically advanced as any seventh-grader down here at AYF Nationals. Already in the 6-foot-2 range, the ATH wearing No. 0 is an immediate eye-catcher. Excellent length with a wiry muscular build already. Has the frame to put on a ton of muscle and weight. As his coach said, he truly can play anywhere he's needed. Long term, I can easily see him as a stretch-the-field type of Tight End. He looks like an absolute stud to know for the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1578188"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675a1896bce64"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An exciting Quarterback and overall athlete to watch on the field. While Reese isn't the tallest Quarterback down here and has only average height, he brings the dual-threat ability to keep the opposition off balance at all times. The younger brother of 2025 Rocky Mountain High School prospect [player_tooltip player_id='378187' first='Taeshaun' last='Reese'], the genes continued down to little brother. Reese brings a lot of Running Back traits to the Quarterback position in terms of speed, agility, vision and balance. However, when you add in his ability to throw the ball too, he appears to be a kid that will do a ton of damage for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1578191"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675a1896bceb6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">From what I saw in person and on film, Stefanello was one of the favorite offensive targets for the AA Lions during this 2024 season. Looks the part of a solid pre-high school Tight End/Edge rusher with slightly above average height and weight for the position(s). Moves in space well (on both sides of the ball), tracks the ball and catches it well--even better than some Wide Receivers. Plays the position with strength, yet balanced and under control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1578196"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675a1896bcf0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another kid that passed the eye test right away to me, in terms of muscular build, flexibility and functional movement. Showed explosion out of his stance and advanced ball skills for a 2030 prospect. Watching him closely in warmups, I have full confidence in him playing either, or both, Running Back and Wide Receiver at this level in his development. I don't recall getting a chance to see him play defense, as I was patrolling the nine different fields, but he's athletic enough to play either Linebacker or Defensive Back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1578218"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675a1896bcf63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A prospect I was somewhat familiar with due to his play in the All-Idaho Bowl this past June (2024), Fairchild didn't appear to have the size of some of the other skill position players in this writeup, but he has an excellent pair of mitts. A reliable pass-catcher on the offensive side of the ball and a player that lurks in the defensive secondary. In fact, he made a nice interception against Salisbury Elite in Tuesday's victory, as the Maryland-based team was knocking on the door.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Additional Standouts</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578207' first='Nate' last='Sanchez']</strong></em><strong><em> | AA Lions | Offensive/Defensive Line </em></strong>- One of the first linemen I noticed during warmups, based off his size alone. On a team void of any real size (when comparing nationally) aside from McDonald, he was clearly one of the bigger and stronger kids up front. Played Left Tackle offensively, but is built more like a Center/Guard (when comparing nationally).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578215' first='Andrew' last='Benson']</strong> </em><strong><em>| AA Lions | Quarterback</em></strong><em> </em>- There can only be one Quarterback on the field, and having to share with the position with the athleticism of Reese doesn't make it easy, but [player_tooltip player_id='1578215' first='Andrew' last='Benson'] showed off a very live arm. Below average in height and weight (when comparing nationally), I was surprised at how much zip were on his passes. Was very accurate as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Ari Torosian</em></strong> <strong><em>| AA Lions | Offensive Line </em></strong>- I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the play and potential of Right Tackle Ari Torosian. I was very surprised to hear that he was only 10 years old, playing against kids two and three years older than him in the 12U division. Did not look out place for even half a second. I do not know what graduating class he's in, but he'll be a name to revisit down the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->