Spring Showcase Linsly Skill Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Code PRZWV30 for a discount on your subscription at checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four area high schools from northern West Virginia and Pittsburgh, PA, participated in the 3rd Annual Spring Showcase at the Highlands Sports Complex on Tuesday evening. Host school Linsly welcomed Weir, University, and Westinghouse (PA) to join them in front of college coaches for a spring evaluation, with many prospects standing out. Here are the skill prospects from Linsly in attendance who caught our eye at the Spring Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>QUARTERBACKS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402801"],"_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-6823551a15911"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Unsurprisingly, the star of the show of the Spring Showcase was 2026 Linsly QB [player_tooltip player_id='402801' first='Braden' last='Wade']. He ranks as our #2 QB prospect in the class, and Wade proves why every time we see him in person. He's been very well developed as a quarterback and has a great mind for the position on top of his high-level arm talent. Wade was ripping the ball effortlessly throughout the camp, driving the ball impressively on deep balls and using his high velocity to fit balls into tight windows during 7-on-7. He was rewarded with an offer from Muskingum (OH) after his performance, with more opportunities from bigger programs sure to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Grateful to receive an offer from <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachMNardo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachMNardo</a> after our showcase. Very blessed! <a href="https://twitter.com/LinslyFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LinslyFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MuskingumFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MuskingumFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/3WuW3Z3oJl">pic.twitter.com/3WuW3Z3oJl</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='402801' first='Braden' last='Wade'] (@braden_wade14) <a href="https://twitter.com/braden_wade14/status/1922446941658448037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1331233"],"_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-6823551a15961"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Linsly has another quarterback to know coming up through their ranks in 2027 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1331233' first='Landon' last='Cottrill']. He flashed a lot of potential and upside at Tuesday's showcase and has a great frame for the position. Cottrill is still very raw as a quarterback, but you could see glimpses of what he can develop into after some more experience over the next two years. He'll have a great mentor in [player_tooltip player_id='402801' first='Braden' last='Wade'] to learn under until his senior year, when his turn comes to take over the reins behind center. This was our first time getting to see Cottrill in action, and once he gets some game film put together, he could be among the top 2027 QB prospects in the class with continued development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1673177"],"_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-6823e967b2997"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A young 2029 QB prospect to know from Linsly is incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1673177' first='Blaise' last='Holt']. I thought he did some good things during the camp as a prospect who hasn't even begun high school yet, among mostly upperclassmen high schoolers competing at the showcase. You could tell he's been developed as a quarterback at an early age, which will pay dividends moving forward when his opportunities come at the high school level in the future. Holt is also a quality athlete who could likely play some receiver or defensive back as well until the quarterback spot opens up, and even showed potential as a kicker, which could get him on the field sooner rather than later on the varsity team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>RECEIVERS/DEFENSIVE BACKS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1137683"],"_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-6823551a159a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Linsly WR [player_tooltip player_id='1137683' first='Jaxon' last='Murray'] is someone we've been very high on since he broke out as a sophomore in 2023 for the Cadets. Unfortunately, we haven't gotten any updated film from his junior year to see how he's progressed since then, but we got to see him up close at Tuesday's showcase. Murray is an impressive athlete with a good frame for an outside receiver to continue filling out. He's a plus athlete who plays three sports for Linsly, performing well at all of them. Murray is a natural playmaker and pass catcher as a big target with ability after the catch as well. Colleges will need updated film to get on their radar more, but his talent level will warrant D2 looks with possible FCS attention with a big senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894678"],"_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-6823551a159db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Linsly WR [player_tooltip player_id='894678' first='Lucca' last='Troullos'] has sneakily been one of the more productive receivers in his class, who's flying under the radar heading into his senior year. Troullos does a great job working the middle of the field and being a great security blanket for his quarterback on short and intermediate throws. He's the type of slot receiver that you can rely on to move the chains and who you look for on third downs. Troullos' quickness makes him dangerous out of the slot, especially when matched up with a linebacker and can easily create separation on quick throws. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1331230"],"_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-6823551a15a13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 Linsly WR [player_tooltip player_id='1331230' first='Chris' last='Upton'] is someone we liked as a sophomore based on his potential and upside as a young player. He'll have the opportunity to move into the Cadets' #3 option at receiver this upcoming season after carving out a role last season. Upton was raw as a route runner as a sophomore, but you could tell he has the athletic traits to develop that aspect of his game, with natural playmaking ability showing up on tape. Upton has after-the-catch ability with natural ball skills that should allow him to take a step forward this season as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1673179"],"_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-6823e967b2b05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1673179' first='Skyler' last='Hunter'] is a young 2028 prospect from Linsly to keep tabs on over the next three years. Hunter earned varsity playing time as a freshman for the Cadets in 2024 as a defensive back and has receiver potential as well. He's still expectedly lanky but has quality length for his age, and could end up playing in the slot or outside on offense. Hunter has some juice for a young athlete and should see an increased role on the defensive side of the ball, with opportunities likely on offense as a depth piece in their talented receiver group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1673178"],"_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-6823e967b2b5d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another upcoming Linsly prospect to know who's yet to begin high school is 2029 WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1673178' first='Tairee' last='Smith']. You could tell he's wrapping up middle school physically, but he made some plays against some very talented and older prospects in attendance at the Spring Showcase. He'll have the opportunity to develop into another dynamic slot receiver for the Cadets in the coming years, where they've had some big-time playmakers at the position in years past. Smith held his own in the Cadets' second group during 7-on-7 and flashed potential as a young player among a talented field of players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>RUNNING BACK/DEFENSIVE BACK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624454"],"_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-6823e967b2bbe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1624454' first='Georgie' last='Mamakos'] was placed on our 2028 Watch List as a defensive back, but looks like he'll be first in line at running back this season for the Cadets. They'll be looking for someone to step up at that position to find balance with their dynamic passing attack, and Mamakos has the athletic tools to generate big plays there as a scatback. He's earned a lot of recognition as a wrestler during his freshman season, so you know he has the toughness to play the position on top of being a starter in the defensive backfield. Mamakos is a fearless player for his age, attacking the ball in the air and ball carriers when coming downhill, with good game recognition for a young player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->