Class of ’26: WNY QBs

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best of the Best</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["473979"],"_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-67c70b5b3c973"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A three year starter with another year left, Kleitz is already the Section VI All Time passing leader. Justus has impeccable vision and takes what the defense gives him. He can see the field as a whole and in 2024, 3 different Iroquois receivers recorded 40+ catches and 700+ yards (including 2-1,000 yard WRs).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1246845"],"_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-67c70b5b3c9d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Capozzi flies under the radar playing at a Class D school but you cannot teach size. At 6'4, Carter has the prototypical size to excel at the QB position. He has a big frame and athleticism to match. He capped off his junior season with a 2nd team All State selection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1344653"],"_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-67c70b5b3ca17"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gibbs is a natural in the pocket. He has excellent awareness and is blessed with incredible arm strength. Brayden has the ability to split defenders and put the ball right where it needs to be. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747255"],"_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-67c70b5b3ca56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first encountered Brady when he was a JV QB for St. Francis in 2023 and even then, he showed a lot of the abilities he would showcase on varsity. A 2024 breakout star for Eden/North Collins, Waring dominated Class C with 2,600 yards and 25 TDs to just 5 INTs. Brady has good arm strength and his ability to throw on the run is well executed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["505854"],"_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-67c70b5b3ca96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After an exceptional sophomore season where Anzalone threw 20 TDs, Dominic got hurt in the first game of his junior year. Timon felt his absence and missed the fire power he brought to the table. With a full year to recover, I expect Anzalone to pick up right where he left off in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rising the Ranks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QBs [player_tooltip player_id='1742268' first='Kalaugn' last='Ford'] from McKinley and [player_tooltip player_id='1344791' first='Michael' last='Taylor'] from Niagara Falls had extraordinary seasons and are impactful on the ground as well as the air. Both were breakout players as juniors and got honorable mention from the All State team. Ford was unstoppable running and passing for over 1,100 yards a piece while Taylor has more of a big arm that stretches the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='505857' first='Joe' last='Mest'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='806812' first='AJ' last='Weissenburg'] also proved to be dual threats, moving the ball down the field with their legs and their arms. I believe they are both in for big senior campaigns. [player_tooltip player_id='1583437' first='Tremayne' last='Harris'] from Maritime was the biggest breakout player of all. Harris was a player not on many people's radar but he exploded on the scene with 1,800 yards and 18 TDs in 8 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players to Watch in 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='522694' first='Josh' last='Kandefer'] was a player I thought would breakout this past season but Canisius brought in a transfer QB and relied heavily on the run game so Kandefer didn't get his shot until the State Championship game where he threw for over 200 yards and a TD. If given the chance to shine as a senior, Josh could turn some heads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First year starters [player_tooltip player_id='1742287' first='Cooper' last='Hazard'] from Lake Shore &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1742297' first='Nik' last='Korte'] from Grand Island had sub-par seasons statistically but did display enough command of their offenses with strong arms and good accuracy to where they can have effective senior seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The QB situation in Lockport is interesting as [player_tooltip player_id='806839' first='Graham' last='Schultz'], who broke out as a sophomore, did not finish the 2024 season as the Lions starter. Graham showed a lot of poise and solid intuition in 2023 for him to compete as a senior and retake the reins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->