Class of ’26: WNY WRs

<!-- 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":["518166"],"_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-67c8aee920edc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is a lot of hype surrounding Eskridge and rightfully so. Jack is a playmaker with exceptional speed and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Going into his senior year, he is already a two time All State team member and should be a Connolly Cup favorite heading into 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1523649,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1742998' first='Nick' last='Jacobson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c8aee920fac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chautauqua Lake's passing game was well hyped heading into 2024 but Jacobson was a player that took Class C by storm, winning 1 POW award as well an All State team nod. Nick is a tall and lanky player that can get the ball at its highest point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735840"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1635203,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67c8aee92108d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two time All State &amp; All WNY selection, Skutnik will be looking for his third in his senior season. He will once again be teamed with Iroquois starting QB Kleitz and between the two of them, the numbers have been through the roof. Nick is a slot receiver with excellent hands and can make the run after catch better than anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1344697"],"_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-67c8aee9210dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more versatile WR prospects, Zankl can lineup anywhere on the field. He has excellent awareness and displays solid concentration. He can run all the routes needed to be a successful player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624547"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1635205,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67c8aee92112b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coleman was another breakout player this season although he did show some great athleticism in his sophomore year. Jaylin can stretch the field with his speed and bring down contested catches with his strong hands. At 5'10, he has remarkable leaping abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1345194"],"_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-67c9c583110c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1345194' first='Blake' last='Gerstung'] is easily one of the top returning WRs but an injury to their starting QB in Week 4 slowed down is output as a junior. And who will be the QB next season is still unknown but Gerstung is a complete WR that can run all the routes and is a sound blocker. If the Tigers solidify the QB position next season, Blake will be a player to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rising the Ranks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, the Sweet Home Panthers had a lot of fire power led by several seniors. In 2025 with most of their offense graduating, [player_tooltip player_id='1344689' first='Brandon' last='Carroll'] is primed to be their leading receiver. With new QB, [player_tooltip player_id='1734382' first='Brayden' last='Plath'], this is a combo with a lot of potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Medina, WR [player_tooltip player_id='807835' first='Jerrell' last='Nealy'] possesses the ideal size to be a top notch "X" WR. He has a solid vertical leap and his basketball skills have translated to the football field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1406377' first='Jon' last='Neville'] from Grand Island was a a player I started following last offseason and saw a great deal of talent with precision route running and solid hands. The Vikings will be moving up JV QB [player_tooltip player_id='1864262' first='Anthony' last='Mantione'] next season which should give Neville a chance to shine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players to Watch in 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #1 WR position is wide open at St. Francis and players such as [player_tooltip player_id='747257' first='Matt' last='Zielinski'], [player_tooltip player_id='743702' first='Nico' last='Pinelli'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747254' first='Evan' last='Noecker'] will be looking to take that spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Park had a dominating run game in 2024. How their offense will be groomed in '25 is yet to be seen but incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='806773' first='Julius' last='Jackson'] is a WR that could breakout. At 6'4, he is a prototypical wideout and possesses basketball type leaping abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have not seen a lot of film on WR [player_tooltip player_id='1426895' first='Jonathan' last='Pugliese'] from Orchard Park or TE [player_tooltip player_id='1742466' first='Connor' last='Duggan'] from Williamsville South but they have both shown solid athleticism to get on the field more as seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->