Meet some of the IAC's playmakers at the skill positions - Pt . 2

This article looks at some of the IAC's top returning playmakers at the skill position and features a few players from both sides of the football.   Here's a look at five playmakers at the skill position returning in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1570610' first='Brett' last='Paukstis'] | QB | St. Albans | 2027 | 6-0 | 180   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/blake-pauksitis-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1590429"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1570610' first='Brett' last='Paukstis'], a quarterback for St. Albans in the class of 2027, had an outstanding 2024 season, completing 241 of 357 passes for 3,406 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. Operating in a spread offense that emphasizes exploiting defensive mismatches, Paukstis has shown impressive timing, anticipation, and field vision for a quarterback his age. His ability to diagnose defenses and deliver precise throws makes him one of the rising Class of 2027 quarterbacks in the Northeast.   Paukstis' highlights showcase his versatility as a passer. He has consistently demonstrated poise under pressure, pinpoint accuracy, and a strong arm capable of making difficult throws. He delivered a 35-yard touchdown strike on a post route in one play, splitting two safeties with a perfectly timed throw. In another, he rolled out under pressure to find a receiver down the sideline for a 30-yard gain, showcasing his ability to extend plays and maintain vision. His ability to make quick decisions was evident on a skinny post route, where he delivered a 20-yard completion by throwing over a linebacker and in front of a safety. Paukstis' arm strength was on display with a 57-yard pass that travelled over 40 yards in the air, hitting the receiver in stride, and he has also proven adept at threading the needle in tight coverage, as seen in his fade pass touchdown against Cover 3.   Beyond his highlights, Paukstis stands out for his ability to read progressions, remain calm under pressure, and make accurate throws on the move. While Paulkstis' arm strength and field vision are impressive, there is room for improvement in deep ball accuracy to avoid underthrows and in decision-making to reduce turnovers. Despite these areas for growth, Paukstis' skill set and performance indicate he is a high-upside prospect with the tools to excel and improve at the high school level.   Oliver Lafuente | LB | Landon | 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/oliver-lafluente.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1590428"/></figure>   Oliver Lafurente, a middle linebacker for Landon's class of 2026, stands out as a consistent and fundamentally sound defender. Lafurente is an exceptional tackler, showcasing excellent technique and the ability to wrap up effectively in various scenarios. His strength is diagnosing running plays quickly, filling gaps decisively, and making critical stops. Lafurente's physicality is apparent in the trenches, as demonstrated by his ability to take on larger offensive linemen, get lower, shed blocks, and still make tackles. In one instance, he took on a bigger center and brought down the running back for a 1-yard gain, exemplifying his toughness and skill.   Beyond his physicality, Oliver displays agility and awareness, such as avoiding a more prominent guard to limit a potential big gain. His chase-down ability also highlights his effort and athleticism as he tracked down a running back heading to the outside. He isn't just a reliable tackler and a playmaker, evidenced by his blitz up the middle that resulted in a forced fumble-interception touchdown.   While Oliver excels in many areas, continued strength and lateral quickness development would further elevate his game. Enhancing his power in open-field tackles could prevent instances where runners slightly drag him, and refining his sideline-to-sideline speed could improve his ability to shut down plays on the outside. Overall, Oliver is a reliable linebacker who plays bigger than his size.   Will Martin | RB | St. Albans | 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/will-martin.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1590430"/></figure>   Will Martin, a standout running back for St. Albans in the class of 2026, showcased his versatility and skill this season, racking up an impressive 1,120 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Martin's highlights reveal his ability to excel as a rusher and a receiver, making him a dynamic weapon on offense. On a touchdown run from the opponent's 45-yard line, he demonstrated excellent vision and speed, cutting to the outside, evading tacklers at the second level, and slicing inside a safety before sprinting down the sideline. A similar play from the opponent's 41-yard line displayed his ability to hit the hole between the center and right guard untouched, make a sharp cut to leave a linebacker grabbing at the air and capitalize on a key receiver block to complete a touchdown run.   Martin's versatility was evident when, on a play from his 28-yard line, he released out of the backfield to make a catch across the middle for a 27-yard gain, showcasing reliable hands and awareness in the passing game. He also demonstrated toughness on a 12-yard run from his 38-yard line, where he sidestepped a tackler, cut back across the field, and spun out of another tackle to finish the play. On another occasion, he took a screen pass from his 46-yard line, made a defender miss with a sharp cut, and accelerated for a 28-yard gain, showcasing his ability to extend plays after the catch.   Perhaps his most impressive run came when, after 10 yards, he broke through the tackles of two defenders at the second level and sprinted an additional 45 yards before stumbling for 55-plus yards. This play highlighted his power through contact, though it also suggested a need for improvement in acceleration and maintaining top-end speed. Another patient 15-yard run between the guard and tackle showcased his poise and physical ability to navigate tight spaces.   Overall, Martin is a versatile and physical runner who gains yards after contact, pushes piles, and wears down defenses. His quick cuts, vision, and ability to make defenders miss in space make him a consistent playmaker. As a reliable pass-catcher, he adds dimension to his game, proving to be a dual-threat on offense. While Martin's ability to break tackles and extend plays is exceptional, improving his acceleration and second gear would make him even more dangerous in the open field. With his combination of power, elusiveness, and versatility, Martin is a player to watch as he continues to develop his game.   Samuel Waldman | LB | Bullis | 2026 | 6-2 | 215   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/sam-waldman.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1590431"/></figure>   Samuel Waldman, a middle linebacker from Bullis in the Class of 2026, stands out as a highly instinctive and physical player with a consistent ability to make plays at or near the line of scrimmage. His football IQ is evident in his ability to diagnose plays quickly, whether recognizing a run, dropping into pass coverage, or timing a blitz to perfection. Waldman excels in run defense, as shown when he takes on pulling guards and offensive linemen, sheds blocks effectively with strong hands and leverage, and consistently wraps up ball carriers. His ability to shoot gaps, as seen in a goal-line stop where he tackled the running back behind the line of scrimmage, highlights his decisive nature and ability to execute under pressure.   In pass coverage, Waldman demonstrates discipline and awareness, keeping his eyes on the quarterback and disrupting plays. Waldman effectively reads the quarterback's intentions, such as when he dropped into the flat and deflected a pass intended for an out route, showing his understanding of positioning and route concepts. His range and urgency were also on display when he quickly covered 5–6 yards to pressure a quarterback rolling out of the pocket, forcing an incompletion. Additionally, his effectiveness as a blitzer is notable, with plays where he came through untouched to hit the quarterback and disrupt the passing game.   Waldman's tackling ability is a cornerstone of his game. He consistently wraps up opponents securely in space. Whether diagnosing runs and stopping ball carriers at the line of scrimmage or limiting gains after shedding blocks, his physicality and technique ensure he is reliable on defense. His strong hands and ability to play with leverage make him difficult for blockers to handle, allowing him to maintain his effectiveness even against larger opponents.   Overall, Waldman is a disruptive, consistent force on the field with the versatility to impact both run and pass defense. As he develops, he can potentially be a high-level linebacker at the next level, particularly in advanced pass coverage and lateral quickness.   [player_tooltip player_id='1314903' first='Ubie' last='Zaid'] | WR | Landon | 2026 | 5-9 | 170   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/ubie-zaid-website.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1590432"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1314903' first='Ubie' last='Zaid'] is a dynamic and versatile athlete whose 2024 season performance showcased his ability to impact the game in various ways. Accumulating 1,500 total yards and scoring 14 touchdowns, he proved to be an explosive playmaker capable of excelling in multiple roles, including wide receiver, kick returner, and occasional rusher. His highlights demonstrate a unique combination of speed, vision, and physicality, making him a constant threat on the field.   One of his standout plays was a 98-yard kickoff return where he split the defense, ran through two tackles, and maintained his speed to finish the play. Another was a 77-yard touchdown reception on a fake punt, where Zaid easily faked out two defenders in open space and raced untouched to the end zone. His ability to execute in special teams was further emphasized with an 82-yard kickoff return touchdown, where he demonstrated exceptional sideline awareness and precision, using a hesitation move to beat the kicker.   Zaid displayed his yards-after-catch ability as a receiver in a 42-yard touchdown play, breaking a tackle 10 yards downfield and accelerating along the sideline. Additionally, he showcased his rushing skills with a 40-yard end-around touchdown, making a decisive cut to avoid a defender and bursting through the second and third levels of the defense. Another rushing touchdown featured him weaving through multiple tacklers with exceptional field awareness and agility. He proved his toughness and determination in short-yard situations, running through a defensive back's tackle to score on a 10-yard wide receiver screen.   Zaid's strengths lie in his explosiveness, versatility, and ability to make defenders miss in open space. He consistently converts short plays into significant gains and contributes as an offensive weapon and a special teams asset. His acceleration and burst make him a dangerous threat in any situation, while his agility and ability to adapt allow him to maximize yardage on every touch. While his highlight reel effectively showcases his playmaking ability, additional footage of precise route running, contested catches, and deeper completions would enhance his profile as a slot receiver prospect.   Overall, [player_tooltip player_id='1314903' first='Ubie' last='Zaid']'s exceptional athleticism and versatility position him as a standout prospect in the class of 2026. With continued development in his route-running and receiving repertoire, he has the potential to become a well-rounded and highly impactful player at the next level.   <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 article looks at some of the IAC's top returning playmakers at the skill position and features a few players from both sides of the football.