Small-School Offensive Talent That Shined at the PRZ AZ Combine

Just because they come from smaller schools doesn't mean they can't hang with the best. This year's combine proved that. Several guys from 3A or below stepped up in a big way — showing that they belong on the same level as some of the other top talent in the state. These are the players who came from smaller programs and still made big-time noise.    [player_tooltip player_id='1669657' first='Gabriel' last='Terrell'] continues to show signs that he's ready to take on a much bigger role. His short, quick, and compact throwing motion really stood out — the ball jumps out of his hand in a hurry, which is a huge plus when you're under pressure and need to get it out fast. That release, paired with how efficiently he moved through drills, made him one of the more polished quarterbacks from a mechanical standpoint. During testing, he ran a 4.97 in the 40 and a 4.84 shuttle, and while those numbers aren't jaw-dropping, they reflect the kind of quick-twitch movement that matters in the pocket. More than anything, his timing and placement made a difference. He consistently led receivers well on short routes and put good touch on deeper balls. What he might lack in raw arm strength, he makes up for with anticipation and a clear understanding of when and where to get the ball out. It's not just about having the tools — it's about knowing how to use them, and Gabriel's already showing he's figuring that out. With a full workload this season and continued growth, he could be in for a major breakout.     [player_tooltip player_id='1665648' first='Macen' last='Thompson'] turned heads as a wide receiver — even if the roster sheet didn't initially get the memo. While he was mistakenly listed as an offensive lineman on paper, it became very clear on the field that Macen is every bit a physical skill player. From the first rep, he looked smooth, explosive, and confident, and he backed it up with a strong showing throughout the day. With a stocky frame and legit burst, Macen was consistently able to create separation in short and intermediate routes. His testing numbers — including a 4.66 in the 40 — reflected the kind of quick-twitch athleticism that showed up in his footwork and suddenness out of breaks. He ran clean routes with good timing and showed he knew how to use his body to get open, even when defenders were playing him tight. His hands aren't textbook in terms of form, but they were dependable. He brought in throws in stride, through contact, and showed he could be counted on to finish plays. It wasn't flashy, but it was effective — and it worked over and over again. He plays hard, moves well, and understands the position. He's really effective in the defensive backfield, too. Thompson is undoubtedly a two-way player to keep an eye on this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1614663' first='Nathaniel' last='Elrod'] brought a level of physicality to the combine that immediately stood out. At 5'10, 195 pounds, he's built like a true downhill runner — compact, powerful, and tough to square up. His 5.0 40-yard dash time might not have jumped off the page compared to the top testers, but when you saw him move in person, it was clear this is a kid you don't want to meet head-on. He runs with real purpose, and defenders will feel it when they try to bring him down. He got a ton of work during the individual drills, and to his credit, he made every rep count. He wasn't just going through the motions — he was locked in, running hard, finishing drills, and showing a real desire to compete. While he's not necessarily going to be a pass-game weapon right now, he's got serviceable hands and showed he can be trusted as a checkdown option out of the backfield. With his stocky frame and physical mindset, Nathaniel is the kind of back who thrives when the pads come on. Get him moving downhill and let him wear on a defense. He's a name to keep an eye on heading into the season — especially if Scottsdale Christian leans on the ground game. There's plenty of upside here, and he's just getting started.     [player_tooltip player_id='1569441' first='Jabari' last='Thomas'] is the kind of wide receiver that makes quarterbacks feel a little more confident throwing into tight windows. With his big frame and reliable hands, he doesn't need much space to make a play — and he proved that throughout the day. He consistently made tough catches through contact, showing not only physical strength but the focus to track and secure the ball even when defenders were draped on him. What really caught my attention was his footwork and movement for a guy his size. Jabari recorded the fastest L-Drill time among all wide receivers over 6 feet tall, which says a lot about his agility and ability to sink into breaks. He used that to his advantage in short and intermediate routes, where he worked his feet cleanly and kept defenders off balance. He's not the type to create five yards of separation downfield with speed — but he doesn't have to. His body control, catch radius, and strong hands make him a tough cover even when DBs stay close. With the tools he already has and another year of development ahead, Jabari looks poised for a really productive year in 2A. He's a physical presence with technical polish — a combo that's going to cause problems for defenses all season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1666464' first='Isaiah' last='Upshaw'] is one of those receivers who you can tell is just scratching the surface. He's already got impressive natural athleticism, and he moves through his routes like it's second nature. Whether it was a short dig or a deeper break toward the sideline, his footwork and execution stayed clean throughout the day. He's not fully filled out yet — there's definitely room to add weight to his frame — but once that comes, his physical upside becomes even more exciting. Even now, he doesn't back down from physical matchups. As he continues to grow, he's going to get even better at handling press coverage and getting into his routes quicker. That's a scary thought, especially considering the speed and body control he already has when he gets past defenders. He's got the ability to stack corners and create separation in ways that'll only become more consistent as he matures physically. Throw in the fact that he could be catching passes from fellow combine standout [player_tooltip player_id='917327' first='Parker' last='Schmitz'], and that's a 3A combo that could do serious damage. Isaiah showed all the signs of a player ready to break out — and when his body catches up to his skill set, watch out.

Just because they come from smaller schools doesn't mean they can't hang with the best. This year's combine proved that. Several guys from 3A or below stepped up in a big way — showing that they belong on the same level as some of the other top talent in the state. These are the players who came from smaller programs and still made big-time noise.