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Northeast Ohio Under-the-Radar Names to Know

Northeast Ohio Under-the-Radar Names to Know
Bryan Ault
Bryan Ault June 27, 2025 @ 09:18 AM
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In this article:

Zayvion Smith
Zayvion Smith 6'5" | 250 lbs | DL/OL | 2027
OH
Collin Witherspoon II
Collin Witherspoon II 5'0" | 157 lbs | 2026
OH
Trent Hayden
Trent Hayden 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB | 2026
OH
Donovan Crook
Donovan Crook 6'2" | 300 lbs | DL/OL | 2026
OH
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northeast Ohio features some of the top prospects in the state and Midwest region as a whole.  With so many big-time prospects in Cleveland and Akron, talent is bound to shine.  Here are four names you haven't heard of yet but likely will this fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1467333"],"_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-685ea84c5e39f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Good, solid, strong interior defensive lineman who plays with a flat back on his first step and holds the point well. Can sift through guards, diagnose and locate ballcarriers, make tackles behind the LOS and wrap up. Recorded 68 total tackles, 14 pressures and three sacks last season. Ohio Dominican offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1590856"],"_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-685ea84c5e40f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Great ball skills. Can cover and carry deep routes, but keep his head on a swivel, whip around and snatch the ball out of the air on interceptions. Can make really acrobatic catches. Good instincts when the ball is in the air. Good closing speed on short/intermediate routes. Had 38 tackles, four interceptions and three pass breakups last season. No offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1574181"],"_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-685ea84c5e48a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Quick release and solid arm. Good accuracy on short-intermediate throws and can fit the ball into tight windows. Hits targets with good accuracy, in stride, with little to no wasted movement on his release. No offers yet at this time. Was 70/110 for 1,100 yards passing and 10 touchdowns last season; played for Division II regional champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Zayvion Smith","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"260","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Harding","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685ea84c5e573"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Light on his feet OT prospect who can move, pull and run. Neutralizes rushers well in pass protection. Great size and strength with plenty of room to grow, add bulk and more weight. Holds an offer from Youngstown State; stock should rise quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

Northeast Ohio features some of the top prospects in the state and Midwest region as a whole.  With so many big-time prospects in Cleveland and Akron, talent is bound to shine.  Here are four names you haven't heard of yet but likely will this fall:

Donovan Crook

Donovan Crook

OH
DL/OL
HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 300
POS DL/OL
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Donovan
Crook DL/OL
Class
2026
Height
6'2"
Weight
300
HS
Copley
|
OH
Northeast Ohio Under-the-Radar Names to Know
Good, solid, strong interior defensive lineman who plays with a flat back on his first step and holds...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Donovan Crook

Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Copley
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Collin Witherspoon II

Collin Witherspoon II

HEIGHT 5'0"
WEIGHT 157
POS N/A
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Collin
Witherspoon II
Class
2026
Height
5'0"
Weight
157
HS
Copley
|
OH
Northeast Ohio Under-the-Radar Names to Know
Great ball skills. Can cover and carry deep routes, but keep his head on a swivel, whip around...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Collin Witherspoon II

Instagram
State: Ohio
School: Copley
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Trent Hayden

Trent Hayden

OH
QB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 185
POS QB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Trent
Hayden QB
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
Weight
185
HS
Archbishop Hoban
|
OH
Northeast Ohio Under-the-Radar Names to Know
Quick release and solid arm. Good accuracy on short-intermediate throws and can fit the ball into tight windows....
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Trent Hayden

Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Archbishop Hoban
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Zayvion Smith

Zayvion Smith

HEIGHT 6'5"
WEIGHT 260
POS OL
CLASS 2026

Zayvion Smith

School: Harding
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
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