Five Players to Watch this Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benefit games are firing up across the Natural State this week. In this article, we will give a few names to watch out for this week. The 2025 football season is upon us, and here are five players to watch out for this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155564' first='Antavion' last='Gaines']-Running Back-Searcy-5'11” 193-Pounds-2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaines is a prospect who has the potential to put up some impressive numbers this upcoming season. He is the type of running back who rarely needs to come off of the field. Gaines can be effective in both the run and the passing attacks implemented by Searcy. He is a patient running back who allows rushing lanes to develop before exploding through the hole. Gaines is a prospect to watch out for this week with the Lions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KJ Gilcrest-Quarterback-Helena-6'1” 175-Pounds-2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KJ Gilcrest had a strong debut as a freshman on the gridiron, track, and baseball diamond. He is a signal caller who throws the football with accuracy. Gilcrest is able to fit the football into tight windows. Meanwhile, he is athletic and can extend the play in the pocket or out of the pocket. Gilcrest is a prospect who I expect to have a strong season for the Cougars. He is a player to watch out for over the next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1392948' first='Noah' last='Butler']-Tight End-North Little Rock-6'7” 240-Pounds-2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the past few years, [player_tooltip player_id='1392948' first='Noah' last='Butler'] has become one of the most versatile prospects at the tight end position. Butler does a great job opening up rushing lanes. He has no trouble clearing a rushing lane for his teammates. Meanwhile, he is a nightmare for opposing defenders in the passing game. Butler is an athletic prospect who can haul in tough receptions. Butler is a prospect to watch out for with North Little Rock this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399393' first='Shawn' last='Swinson']-Wide Receiver-Greenland-6'0” 165-Pounds-2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1399393' first='Shawn' last='Swinson'] is a wide receiver who uses his tremendous mix of route running and speed to create separation from opposing defensive backs. He is able to get open consistently in the passing game. Swinson makes opposing defenders miss tackles. He is a prospect who has the ability to put up big numbers for the Pirates this upcoming season. He is a player to watch out for this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1417001' first='Ashyr' last='Crow']-Running Back-Greenbrier-5'9” 158-Pounds-2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1417001' first='Ashyr' last='Crow'] is a running back coming up through the ranks with the Greenbrier Panthers. Crow is a patient running back who picks the perfect rushing lane to explode through. He has the ability to make opposing defenders miss tackles with no problem at all. Crow gets into the second level quickly. He is a back who can be used in the passing game effectively and is a player who rarely needs to come off of the field. He is a back to watch out for in the future with the Panthers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->