Film Dive: Bay Area Watch List '26's in Updated Rankings

<p class="text-gray-700">Ards is one of the more under-recruited defensive linemen across the bay area, and is without a doubt a next level guy on the inside. He is twitchy out of his stance and shows good hand violence and lockout at the point of attack/can collapse the pocket quickly, winning with both power and speed. He shows he can overpower tackles with his bull rush, quickly redirect and get off blocks while showing some good twitch and snap in pass rush situations as well. Ards plays on the edge at Clayton Valley and provides great position versatility at the next level either as a 3-6 tech. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Lortie is one of the top returning signal callers across the greater Bay Area and is coming off a tremendous Junior season for Livermore. He has a big arm downfield, shows he can stand in the pocket and deliver the ball with accuracy and velocity while not afraid to take a shot in order to do so. He shows he can get the ball out quick and on time, moves quickly through his progressions and is comfortable throwing both in-breaking and out-breaking routes with good zip and ball placement and can buy time in the pocket. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Matteo_lortie18/status/1875376029709291589 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Andrade is one of the top returning defenders across the loaded SFL heading into 2025, and is a true mike backer that plugs the middle of the defense and is stout against the run. He shows a quick trigger, can quickly navigate through traffic to get into the backfield and consistently makes plays behind the line with closing speed and violence at the POA. He flashes the ability to set the edge, plays with violent hands and and is a high motor kid that can redirect and make plays from the backside as well. The Oak Ridge product is a no-brainer D3+ caliber player and should be closing in on his first offer soon. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/aschjpandrade/status/1865527389251686901 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Starks is one of the top interior guys returning up-front in the WCAL, and excels on both sides of the ball for SHC. He has good initial power, an inside punch and can quickly get off blocks while able to two-gap if needed and creates immediate reset across the line when getting off the ball. On tape he flashes he can shed blockers without giving up ground and plays with good leverage and a strong base against drive blocks and gets underneath blockers when striking. Projecting as a true nose or center at the next level, he should continue drawing college attention through his senior year. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/starks_tyja/status/1856443748118618191 </div></figure>    <p></p>