Pops’ New England Film Review and Grades: 3/4/25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New England is one of the most disrespected regions of the country when it comes football talent. However, when you look at how small of a region it is vs. the talent that comes out of there, there's a stark difference. The 2029 prospects below are at the starting line of their football journey--here's what I see thus far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1634229"],"_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-67c7148aa5f36"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Home State</strong>: Massachusetts</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Strengths</strong>: Size, upside</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking at his 2024 film, there's a ton of potential in Barnstable's [player_tooltip player_id='1634229' first='Quinn' last='Grushey'] on the football field. He lists himself at 6-foot-3 and looks to be roughly in the 180-190 pounds, though, neither of those sizes are verified. Regardless of what his actual size is, he's significantly bigger than the majority of his opponents. As a Defensive End/Edge, he has the perfect frame for the position with his length and body composition. Offensively, I've seen some film of him catching passes as a Tight End and firing off as an Offensive Guard. It should go without saying, but how he fills out will dictate the positions he will eventually play as his career progresses. From watching him move in space, he strikes me as more of an OL/DL at this point--but there's plenty of time to figure that out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Areas for improvement</strong>: Strength, pad level</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grushey has a lot of the natural size and ability needed to have success in this game, but he needs to make the weight room a priority moving forward. For as big as he is, there were times I was hoping to see more in terms of winning the battle at the POC. He was able to win a lot of 1:1 battles on the youth level because of his size, but he won't get away with some of the manhandling as he progresses forward. Firing out of his stance and staying low, combined with improved strength, will take him to a new level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect Grade:</strong> C+/B-</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1634304"],"_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-67c75d5981f2c"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Home State</strong>: Massachusetts</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Strengths</strong>: Speed, ability to break tackles</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tobin's 2024 season was the definition of a human highlight reel personified. Listed at 5-foot-7 and 160-pounds on his Hudl, his film from this past season highlights a Running Back with very good speed and lower body power. He was clocked at a 12.06 in the 100m in May 2024 and based off his film, I'm going to assume he's in the 11.8's as of March 2025. Doubling as a Returner in Special Teams, he trusts his speed and counts on it as he tends to bounce runs outside if it's available. Additionally, his ability to keep a low center of gravity while running allows him easily break through arm tackles from the opposition. He's clearly very well built for this level and is simply on a high level athletically at this point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Areas for improvement</strong>: Running under control</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His film is very impressive and is one of the better ones I've seen for a RB out of Massachusetts in this 2029 class. With that said, no craft is ever perfect and Tobin has some room for improvement in the realm of staying under control. Maybe it's being anxious/excited, or perhaps a case of his brain/eyes seeing things quicker than his lower body can react, but Tobin can run a little wild at times. Working on staying balanced, protecting the ball while making a move and keeping everything high and tight will only make him better. He's a very good looking prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect Grade:</strong> B/B+</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1589250"],"_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-67c75d5981f95"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Home State</strong>: Connecticut</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Strengths</strong>: Quickness, physicality</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I know I haven't seen every 2029 football prospect in New England (and I doubt anyone has) but I have hard time imagining there are going to many that are more talented than Francis. The 2024 season was a coming out party of sorts of Francis, who has always been an excellent player, but this season was special. A key contributor on both sides of the baLl for a West Haven Seahawks team that made it all the way to the Finals of 13UD2 Pop Warner Super Bowl. While they came up short as a team, Francis made a ton of plays individually as a physical Defensive Back who opposing WRs pay for catching the ball. Francis also made a number of big plays as a Wide Receiver all year long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Areas for improvement</strong>: Avoid complacency</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming up for an area of improvement for Francis is tough--I can't even lie. He's a very complete 2029 Cornerback as of March 2025 and is certainly near the very top, when looking at this New England class. It's a somewhat generic point, but when you're as dominant as he was during his youth career, avoiding complacency and not falling victim to your own hype is a legitimate hurdle to get over. I can't speak on size moving forward because I don't have a crystal ball. However, if Francis keeps his head down and continues to work like he's a nobody, he's going to quickly become a somebody.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect Grade:</strong> A-</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1634386"],"_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-67c75d5981fe3"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Home State</strong>: Massachusetts</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Strengths</strong>: Length, short-area quickness</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deans currently lists himself at 6-foot-2 and 197-pounds and while I can't confirm the actual size, I <em>can</em> confirm that there's a huge upside for him. After a big season helping the Milford Hawks reach the AYF Central Mass D2 Super Bowl, Deans was then selected for the AYF Central Mass Conference All-Star Team. The selection should come as no surprise, when looking at his body of work. He's a size mismatch against the majority of Offensive Tackles on this level, using his long arms to his advantage. Deans fire his hands out quickly and doesn't allow the opposing O-Linemen to get into his body, then uses a quick/long first step to gain the edge. Furthermore, he's a smart player that knows his bread is buttered out in space, rather than in the mess of the middle. Also shows the ability to line up with his hand in the dirt or standing up in a two-point stance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Areas for improvement</strong>: Strength</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would describe Deans as wiry at this point, but he has an ideal Edge rusher frame. If he dedicates himself to the weight room and packs a good 10-15 pounds of muscle on to his body ahead of camp in August, he could become a real problem. Honestly, his frame looks like it could hold 230-240 pounds easily by the time he graduates high school. He has a lot of the physical tools, once the strength kicks in, he has the potential to be a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect Grade</strong>: B</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1634538"],"_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-67c76a7d72f5b"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Home State</strong>: Massachusetts</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Strengths</strong>: Size, initial get-off</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Depending on where you look, Foley is listed anywhere between 5-foot-11 and 6-foot-1, and is listed in the 250-pound range. No matter how you slice it, Foley is a wide body and is a lot of mass to move off the line of scrimmage. This past year he primarily played both interior Defensive Tackle and Right Offensive Tackle. His film is limited, but there are a few things that stick out. Again, he's a bigger kid and is an eye-catcher on film. Specifically on the defensive side of the ball, he also fires off the ball with decent force and provides a strong initial jolt. Coming out of the pre-high school level, he's a pretty good neutralizer with his size and can be a handful for smaller offensive lines to handle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Areas for improvement</strong>: Mobility, overall athleticism</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I've said multiple times, Foley's best asset at this point is his size. However, with that, comes the limited mobility that is often a hurdle for pre-high school linemen to overcome. Improving his mobility is an absolute must if he wants to maximize his football career. While it's good to be a big, broad body in the middle, this game is getting increasingly faster at every position--including linemen. As of March 2025, he strikes me as a Nose Tackle, or a 2-tech Defensive Tackle, where he can stuff the run; Or at the minimum absorb some double teams so his Linebackers can flow freely. When it comes to the Offensive Line, a move to Center or Guard may be beneficial, as to not get stuck on an island against speed rushers on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Prospect Grade</strong>: C</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->