PRZ 7v7 Steel City: Syracuse Elite 18u

The Syracuse Elite 7v7 team was the only New York only team to represent at the 15u and 18u tournaments at the Steel City Collision in Pittsburgh - both teams performed at a high level, making deep runs in the playoff portion. I was at the 18u fields all weekend and got a look at the Syraucse Elite 18u team that had several Juniors and Seniors that performed at a high level.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Syracuse Elite 2025s</h2>    Reed stuck at LB for the Steel City tourney and he had some huge plays for Syracuse Elite in timely moments - I have been pretty public about how much I like Franklin Pierce's incoming class and Reed is a big reason for that.   Reed will need to get bigger/stronger, but he is a very athletic LB/SS prospect. He has the range and explosive movements to be an asset in coverage and made some plays that show off his ball skills, <a href="https://x.com/PRZPAvic/status/1897406123432632519">including a one-handed INT on one of the top QBs at the event</a>.   The frame, athleticism, and coverage instincts are there—he has the body frame to get to the 210+ range. Franklin Pierce's weight room and meal plan should make him a complete LB physically, and he has a chance to become a really solid player for the Ravens.     Wade was excellent for Syracuse Elite. The West Genesee quarterback is headed to SUNY Morrisville, an excellent get for the local DIII program.   Wade is an undersized prospect, but he has excellent arm strength for his 5'9 "frame. In the short and intermediate areas of the field, Wade was consistent in his ability to hit guys in stride. His ability to push the ball to the sidelines with velocity or fit it through tight windows was impressive.   Although you don't see it in a 7v7 setting, his high school tape shows the athleticism to extend and make plays, something he will have to do in college. However, it was great to see him throw live. Limited to a 40-yard field, you don't see his full arm strength capabilities, but inside of 40, I think he has the zip and quick release that can be an asset for SUNY Morrisville.     Lewis is a player I saw play during the season. He was a member of the CBA-Syracuse RB committee and also featured as one of the top returners in the state. Lewis is headed to play at Ithaca next season, a potential multi-phase producer for the bombers in the future.   Lewis can play RB/SAF or return at the next level. The Ithaca commit consistently showed his quick-twitch athleticism in the games I saw—Lewis was one of the better athletes on the field. Although undersized, when I saw him at this 7v7 tourney and during the season, he consistently showed that his ball skills and quickness can be an asset at the next level.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Syracuse Elite 2026s</h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='1212764' first='Peyton' last='Way'] was the star of the Syracuse Elite team—there is a reason he is among the top WR prospects in the class of 2026 in New York. Way looks physically ready to play at the next level—in fact, I would go as far as saying that with all the talent at WR in the tournament, not many had college-ready bodies or movement skills. While Way can still get stronger, he looks the part.   All tournament Way flashes strong hands, catching away from his body and quickly transitioning from catch to tuck.   I was able to confirm in person the same stuff you see on tape: Way is an excellent route runner. He has a loose lower body, so he makes cuts and can be explosive out of those cuts. His routes are simple and effective. Too many guys get lost or do too much at the stem of their routes, but that is exactly where Way creates the most separation.   He did a lot of his work over the middle of the field amongst a lot of defensive bodies, he can play both inside and outside, but I like his upside as a slot receiver who can separate toward the field or boundary.     Holcomb was a new name for me a week before the tournament. I'm glad I was able to get a look at him. He is a TE/LB who, based on his size profile and movement skills, could end up at LB at the next level.   He does flash some receiving upside in a weaker-than-usual TE class in New York's 2026 grad year, but at 6'3 205, he is more of a tweener TE/WR prospect, and I will say that in a 7v7 setting, his movement skills fit more of the big WR prototype than a true TE prospect.   Regardless, he showed positional versatility this past weekend. He made some solid plays, had a really good change of direction, and flashed some intriguing long speed if you consider him a TE/WR.   There is a lot to like in a prospect like Holcomb. His future body development will likely dictate his position more than any specific position skill he has right now, but he is a player who should be in a nice spot in the next rankings update.     [player_tooltip player_id='1635030' first='Lacuzio' last='Wright'] out of Cicero-North Syracuse was a completely new name for me—the CNS SAF/WR. He was productive defensively, but CNS rarely threw the ball offensively, so he had very limited reps there.   Wright stood out because of his frame and athleticism—a true 6'2 Wright is super long and lean but has quick feet and fluid hips that move in coverage.   He had some solid reads, and the Syracuse Elite defense overall did a great job in coverage. They caused a few coverage sacks and forced a lot of tight-window throws. Wright and Co. were a big part of that, but athletically, Wright stood out amongst the competition from the SAF position.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Syracuse Elite 15u</h2>   I did not catch any 15u games - although I heard that [player_tooltip player_id='1625191' first='Joshua' last='Hester'] - Liverpool, [player_tooltip player_id='1367116' first='Ethan' last='Newton'] - Cicero-North Syracuse and [player_tooltip player_id='1513294' first='Brayden' last='Dems'] - Cicero-North Syracuse both performed well. Guys already on our radar who are some solid younger names in NY to track.

The Syracuse Elite 7v7 team was the only New York only team to represent at the 15u and 18u tournaments at the Steel City Collision in Pittsburgh - both teams performed at a high level, making deep runs in the playoff portion. I was at the 18u fields all weekend and got a look at the Syraucse Elite 18u team that had several Juniors and Seniors that performed at a high level.