Scouting the Future: 2026 Offensive Playmakers on the Rise

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155837"],"_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-67ff9368bef75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1155837' first='Desmond' last='Ortiz'] is a good running back who can score anytime he touches the ball. He is also elusive and has a burst when he hits the hole. He also shows good patience as he can let the hole open up, and then explodes through it. The other impressive part of his game is his ability to catch the ball. La Salle College moved him around to a wing position and a slot position, where they had him run routes and throw him the ball. This allowed him to catch the ball in space and make defenders miss and gain yards after the catch. Ortiz is a dynamic running back who has the skills to play college football in the future and recently visited Yale and Browns Spring games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Looking forward to attending Yale's spring game April 19th! <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisBergeski?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChrisBergeski</a> <a href="https://t.co/0vcKKuM4Ib">pic.twitter.com/0vcKKuM4Ib</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1155837' first='Desmond' last='Ortiz'] (@Desmond_Ortiz_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Desmond_Ortiz_/status/1910019119404966358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155852"],"_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-67ff9368befcf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1155852' first='J.D.' last='Weller'] is an outstanding wide receiver who has great size (6'4") and uses it well to catch the ball. He does a good job of high-pointing balls thrown in his direction. If he is even with a defensive back and the quarterback throws the ball up, he usually comes down with the ball. He has great body control in catching the ball and maintaining leverage against defenders. He also shows a good ability to run routes and get open from defenders. Weller is an outstanding wide receiver who makes a ton of plays, he has a chance to be an even better player next season for Downingtown West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season<br> <br>13-2 record<br>- District 1 champs 🏆<br>- 42 receptions<br>- 644 yards<br>- 9 TDs<br>- 13.8 ypc<a href="https://t.co/zQaS9CTvY3">https://t.co/zQaS9CTvY3</a></p>&mdash; JD Weller (@jdweller7) <a href="https://twitter.com/jdweller7/status/1863758214245843318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["941134"],"_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-67ff9368bf015"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='941134' first='Larry' last='Hughes'] is a match-up nightmare for the defense, and Upper Moreland moved him all over the offense because of his size (6'4") and athleticism. He lined up as an outside wide receiver, slot receiver, and tight end. At all 3 positions, he ran a variety of routes, and he ran them well. He is excellent at running slant routes or in breaking routes. He has a feeling for how to get open and then makes catches in traffic between defenders. He also shows a good ability after the catch to make defenders miss and gain extra yards. He also has legit speed and can run by defenders. Hughes is a good player who has the skills to play college football, and with a strong Senior year, he should get recruited.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/ow1cLUjyjf">pic.twitter.com/ow1cLUjyjf</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='941134' first='Larry' last='Hughes'] (@larry16hughes) <a href="https://twitter.com/larry16hughes/status/1840397090351939973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["940379"],"_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-67ff9368bf054"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='940379' first='Niko' last='Carestia'] played as a fullback in Schuylkill Haven's wing-t offense. Even though he played as a fullback, he showed legit tailback skills as well. He has good speed and can score anytime he gets in the open field. Several of his long rushing touchdowns, he takes the pitch and hits the hole outside, and he is off to the races. He is also a physical runner who is hard to bring down. He has several runs where he just plows through hopeless defenders trying to tackle him. Carestia is a good running back who has a good chance of playing College Football in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had an amazing day at <a href="https://twitter.com/BigRed_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BigRed_Football</a> <br>I'd like to thank <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Hatcher20?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Hatcher20</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TerryUrsin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TerryUrsin</a> for the opportunity and hospitality. <a href="https://twitter.com/farrmj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@farrmj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DJKoulianos_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DJKoulianos_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DBCoachJoey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DBCoachJoey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GavinBartholom6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GavinBartholom6</a> <a href="https://t.co/ppUklNAppf">pic.twitter.com/ppUklNAppf</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='940379' first='Niko' last='Carestia'] (@CarestiaNiko) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarestiaNiko/status/1911563663942492244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1352770"],"_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-67ff9368bf093"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1352770' first='Saalem' last='Frink'] is a legit running back who can score anytime he touches the ball. His ability to hit the hole, make defenders miss, and make a run to the end zone is special. He also shows excellent patience. On several plays, Bonner-Prendie runs gap schemes where they pull offensive linemen. Frink shows patience by waiting for the hole to open up, and then he explodes through it. He also has excellent moves and does a good job of making defenders miss in space. Frink is a good running back who has excellent skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->