Meet some of the IAC's playmakers at the skill positions - Pt . 1

This year's Interstate Athletic Conference Class of 2026 offensive players have proven their ability to compete at a high level with standout performances throughout the 2024 season. These athletes excel in skills like versatility, athleticism, and playmaking ability. With their skills on display, they have cemented themselves as key pieces of their teams' success.   Here's a look at five playmakers at the skill position returning in 2025.   Justin Jackson | Georgetown Prep | Running Back | 5-6 | 155 | 2026   Justin Jackson's 2024 season performance showcased his versatility, speed, and vision as a running back. His speed and acceleration are two of his strengths. He demonstrates an excellent burst and the ability to reach "second gear", as seen in his 52-yard touchdown run in his highlights. He accelerates quickly and outruns defenders regularly. Jackson's vision and awareness are great attributes of his game. He has a strong field vision and identifies and exploits gaps effectively. Jackson anticipates blocks well and cuts behind them to maximize yardage. He makes defenders miss, especially in one-on-one situations, such as his cutback on a linebacker during a counter play on one of his longer runs in his highlights. Despite his slight frame, he can handle tough inside runs when needed. His size may limit his opportunities to play running back from a recruiting standpoint. For now, he's a dangerous player with the football in his hands and can make a big play from anywhere on the football field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1318513' first='Javonte' last='Williams'] | Bullis School | Tight End | 6-4 | 215 | 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_1563-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1588100" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1318513' first='Javonte' last='Williams'] showcased his skills with a strong 2024 season, hauling 35 receptions for 679 yards and six touchdowns. His tape displays a diverse skill set as a three-level pass catcher, complemented by his ability to finish plays with power and create yards after the catch. Williams is a legitimate three-level threat that can attack defenses short, intermediate, and deep. He gets into his routes quickly, whether as an in-line tight end or H-back, creating mismatches. Williams' strong hands and ability to adjust to passes make him reliable in situations where the pass is contested. The yards he gains after the catch are huge. His highlights show him breaking a lot of tackles and accelerating through traffic. Williams turns a lot of short gains into big plays. There is not a lot to nitpick about Williams as a player. A few highlights of his blocking might be helpful to see that part of his game. Otherwise, he should get a lot of attention from colleges during this offseason.   [player_tooltip player_id='909784' first='Dillon' last='Faust'] | Bullis School | Quarterback | 6-1 | 190 | 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_1553.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1588101" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='909784' first='Dillon' last='Faust'] is an emerging quarterback talent from Bullis School. He stands at 6 feet 1 inches and weighs 190 pounds, and he has an impressive combination of accuracy, arm strength, and composure. During the 2024 season, Faust completed 131 of 185 passes for 2,098 yards and 23 touchdowns while limiting himself to just six interceptions, showcasing exceptional efficiency and decision-making. His quick release and ability to hit receivers in stride make him very effective when he throws slant passes, seam routes, and deep fades.   Faust's skill set suits modern offensive systems with RPOs (run-pass options) and play-action schemes. He can sell fakes convincingly while maintaining his composure to deliver accurate strikes downfield. His arm strength allows him to attack all levels of the defense, whether it's zipping a pass into a tight window or launching a well-placed deep ball. Additionally, Faust has a natural knack for extending plays under pressure, showing agility to roll out and deliver on-target throws even on the move.   If we're nitpicking, I would like to see a variety of throws within the first 10-15 plays of his highlights. Otherwise, there is a lot to like about Faust as a prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='523060' first='Cedric' last='Kouemi'] | Bullis School | Running Back | 5-11 | 200 | 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_1578.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1588102" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='523060' first='Cedric' last='Kouemi'] showed his ability to dominate at times during the 2024 season. He combines speed, power and vision, making him a threat from anywhere on the field. Kouemi's highlights show his ability to break for long runs, create plays in tight situations, contribute significantly as a receiver, and be critical in short-yardage and red-zone scenarios. He reaches top speed quickly, which allows him to burst through gaps or outrun defenders in the open field. His 85-yard and 62-yard rushing touchdowns in his highlights show that. Kouemi also consistently finds the right lanes, makes upfield cuts, and adjusts mid-run to maximize yardage.   Physicality and agility are also part of Kouemi's package. His highlights include stiff-arming defenders, breaking tackles, making sharp cuts, hurdling, and side-stepping defenders. He's also a more than capable receiver out of the backfield. Outside of maybe showing a play or two of him in pass protection, it's hard not to love what he put on his highlight reel.   [player_tooltip player_id='1313257' first='Zahir' last='Cobb'] | St. Albans | Wide Receiver | 6-3 | 185 | 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_1451.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1588103" /></figure>   Cobb is a high-upside wide receiver who can excel in intermediate and deep passing games. His size, hands, route running, and playmaking after the catch make him a standout in his class. There's a lot to like about Cobb as a wide receiver prospect. He's a terrific red zone threat, is versatile in his route running, makes plays after the catch, has hand and ball skills, and passes the eye test with his physical traits.   He has a nose for the end zone and consistently beats defenders in tight spaces. His ability to high-point the football, sell routes, and adjust mid-play makes him an elite threat near the goal line. He runs all types of routes: fades, slants, outs, and stop-and-goes, which are showcased in his highlight video.   Cobb shows excellent agility and vision to avoid defenders after the catch. He consistently turns short-yardage plays into significant gains. His quickness, cutting ability, and strength to break tackles enable him to make plays. From a physical standpoint, Cobb's size makes him a mismatch for defensive backs. Combine that with his skills; he has a sizeable edge on deep balls and contested throws.   Note: He's also an elite defensive back prospect. I'll talk about him as a cornerback in another article.   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>

This year's Interstate Athletic Conference Class of 2026 offensive players have proven their ability to compete at a high level with standout performances throughout the 2024 season. These athletes excel in skills like versatility, athleticism, and playmaking ability. With their skills on display, they have cemented themselves as key pieces of their teams' success.