Evaluating prospects from The First State: 3A standouts - Pt. 1

Prep Redzone's Ed O'Brien looks at some of the standout players in Delaware high school football's 3A classification.    [player_tooltip player_id='909896' first='Layton' last='Von Brandt'], a 6-foot-6, 245-pound offensive tackle from Appoquinimink in the Class of 2027, is the top prospect in the state of Delaware regardless of class. Already committed to Penn State as a sophomore, he still has two full high school seasons ahead of him. From when I first saw him as an eighth grader to now, Von Brandt has consistently improved each year, both as a player and in his overall confidence. He plays with a nasty streak and refuses to be satisfied with where he is in his development. Over the past five months, I have seen Von Brandt in both game and camp settings, and one word comes to mind when watching his sophomore-year highlights—domination.   The most significant leap in Von Brandt's game from last year to this year is his emphasis on finishing blocks. His hand usage and placement have sharpened, and he brings power at the point of attack. Despite Von Brandit's improvement as a player, he knows he is far from a finished product and remains dedicated to getting even better. One area where he can continue to grow is agility; while he moves well for his size, he has the potential to get even better. In addition to his physical tools, Von Brandt has developed a healthy level of nastiness—an essential trait for a blue-chip offensive lineman. His elite size, relentless work ethic, and aggressive playing style make him a standout prospect with tremendous upside.     Desai Drummond is a high-upside dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2026 who excels at creating explosive plays both through the air and on the ground. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he has an excellent frame for a quarterback and demonstrates a natural ability to push the ball downfield. Drummond's deep ball is one of his strengths, as he consistently places passes where his receivers can catch them in stride, particularly outside the hashes. He also shows patience in the pocket, going through his progressions and making wise decisions, as evidenced by his ability to recognize an open running back on an angle route for a long touchdown.   Beyond his passing ability, Drummond's mobility makes him a legitimate dual-threat weapon. He is comfortable executing RPO reads, knowing when to keep the ball, and using his legs to gain chunk yardage. Drummond's natural playmaking ability stands out, but he still has room to improve his pocket presence and decision-making.     [player_tooltip player_id='1314870' first='Darius' last='Pope'] is a polished and versatile wide receiver in the class of 2026 who can impact a game in multiple ways. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, he has the size and catch radius to be a strong red-zone target while possessing the fluidity and explosiveness to create separation in the open field. Last season, he put up impressive numbers with 38 receptions for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns, showing his ability to stretch the field and make plays after the catch. Pope is good at finding soft spots in zone coverage, making him an effective weapon on short and intermediate routes. His highlights also display his ability to take the top off a defense as a serious deep threat.   One of Pope's standout traits is his ability to generate yards after the catch (YAC). He is dangerous in the open field and can make defenders miss. Pope has the stride length to pull away for significant gains. Though not a pure burner, Pope has a noticeable separation burst, which helps him get open consistently. His ability to maintain a good tempo throughout his routes makes him an effective route runner, capable of running the entire route tree.   He shows strong body control and ball-tracking ability in contested catch situations, making him a reliable target in traffic and the red zone. His touchdown on a fade route, where he outjumped the defender, highlights his ability to win in one-on-one matchups.   Pope is a complete receiver who can be used in various ways, from quick screens to deep routes. Due to his blend of size, route-running ability, and playmaking after the catch, he projects as a high-level receiver at the next level. With continued development in his explosiveness and top-end speed, Pope has the potential to keep climbing in the PRZ rankings as a prospect.     [player_tooltip player_id='1313275' first='Amare' last='Glover'] is a physical, downhill running back in the class of 2026 who thrives on power running and contact balance. At 6-foot and 215 pounds, he possesses the ideal frame for a between-the-tackles runner and plays with a rugged, punishing style that wears down defenders. Glover's ability to break tackles at the second and third levels is one of his defining traits, as he consistently finishes runs by keeping his legs moving and fighting through contact. Glover's inside running ability stands out, as he doesn't waste movement in the backfield. He makes decisive cuts and hits the hole with authority.   Glover also shows a good initial burst for a back his size, allowing him to get upfield quickly once he finds an opening. His vision and ability to read blocks effectively make him dangerous in short-yardage and goal-line situations. While he is not a burner in the open field, Glover's ability to shed tacklers and gain extra yards makes up for it. His contact balance is exceptional, as he routinely bounces off defenders and maintains his forward momentum. Glover's highlight plays show a strong ability to read linebackers, make subtle cuts to maximize yardage, and power through defenders when necessary.   Glover projects as a reliable workhorse running back who can excel in power-based rushing schemes. His physicality and durability make him a valuable asset, especially in late-game situations when defenses begin to wear down. His stock will get even higher as he improves his top-end speed. Glover has the potential to be an impact back at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='1313269' first='Phoenix' last='Henriquez'] is an exciting wide receiver in the class of 2026 with the ability to create mismatches, especially when lined up as an inside receiver. At 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, he has the size to be an outside threat but excels in the slot, where he can take advantage of slower safeties and linebackers. His quick release off the line of scrimmage and his ability to read coverage and adjust routes make him a highly effective target. Henriquez's highlight plays showcase his ability to accelerate after the catch, turning short receptions into explosive touchdowns. His 70-plus-yard touchdown off a bubble screen highlights his ability to make defenders miss and outrun the secondary once he gets into open space.   Henriquez also demonstrates a strong understanding of route running. His ability to avoid jams at the line and create separation against zone coverage makes him a reliable target in the intermediate passing game. His dig and seam routes are well-executed, and he shows toughness in contested situations, making catches even when taking hits. His ability to manipulate defenders with fakes—like on his fade route touchdown—makes him a valuable scoring option in the red zone. While Henriquez is not purely a speed burner, he has excellent burst off the line and enough long speed to pull away from defenders once he gets into the open field.   Henriquez is a versatile receiver who can play both inside and outside, making him a valuable asset in multiple offensive schemes. His ability to create after the catch, run precise routes, and read coverages at a high level makes him a strong prospect. With added strength and continued improvement in his top-end speed, he has the potential to be a major playmaker at the next level.    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Prep Redzone's Ed O'Brien looks at some of the standout players in Delaware high school football's 3A classification.