Powerful Tandems to Watch in 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I want to change pace from what I normally write about and look at power tandems across the state that will be featured this fall. By that I mean teams with two good Defensive Tackles, or a Quarterback and Wide Receiver pairing. Players who shine together when on the field. Of course, there are many across the state that I am not covering today, but I wanted to bring you a handful of powerful tandems you should watch this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1519647' first='Valdin' last='Sone'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1282096' first='Yuri' last='Radcliffe'], Blue Ridge School.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This duo is what sparked the idea for me to write this article. If you have followed me at all, you know who [player_tooltip player_id='1282096' first='Yuri' last='Radcliffe'] is, and he recently announced his <a href="https://x.com/storyofyuro/status/1955757463971750052" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transfer to Blue Ridge</a> to play alongside Georgia commit [player_tooltip player_id='1519647' first='Valdin' last='Sone']. I cannot wait to see how these two play next to each other. Their play should more than complement each other and will make the rest of the defense's job easier as they take up the offensive's attention. The question an offensive will face will be which player to double team, especially against the run. Yuri had 42 TFLs last season for Albemarle and shot up our class of 2027 rankings to 112 overall and 16th DL. You will be hard pressed to find any high schooler that can take Valdin 1v1 versus the pass or run. However teams decide to attack Blue Ridge's defensive front, know we will be keeping our eyes on them this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1311655' first='Jaxon' last='Manning'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1180950' first='Brady' last='Collins']</strong>, <strong>Liberty Christian Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This junior tandem on Liberty Christian's offensive line is fun to watch. Both were the starting guards as sophomores for Liberty Christian's championship run last season and return to be anchors on this year's offensive line. Both are top end players and ranked within the Top 100 overall for the Class of 2027. Jaxon can play all five positions on the offensive line and was <a href="https://x.com/Jaxon_Manning_/status/1956836077076906485" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">repping at Right Tackle</a> during the preseason scrimmage. Brady can play Guard and Center at a high level, and we will see where he ends up. Jaxon's recruitment has yet to take off, but he is one of the best offensive linemen in the state for the Class of '27 and is ranked as our 7th offensive linemen. Brady is not far behind as the 13th ranked offensive linemen, and he is one of the toughest players I was able to watch live last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1171993' first='Noah' last='Paxton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1173067' first='Carter' last='Russell Calfee'], Craig County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you like Wing-T football, Craig County is one school you will want to watch. Their backfield will be lead by [player_tooltip player_id='1171993' first='Noah' last='Paxton'] and Carter Calfee this fall, both of whom are powerful runners who want to run through people. Carter also brings an element of speed that very little will catch up to once he hits full speed. Coming off one of the best seasons in years, Craig County's offensive will be lead by these two carrying the rock. Don't sleep on their defensive play either where Noah plays linebacker and Carter plays Safety. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297618' first='Isaiah' last='Harris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1298554' first='Xzaivon' last='Carter'],</strong> <strong>Albermarle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Note, [player_tooltip player_id='1297618' first='Isaiah' last='Harris'] has transferred to Thomas Jefferson for the 2025 season. Oversight by us.***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaiah is probably the first that comes to mind when thinking about Albermarle's Wide Receivers, but do not sleep on Xzaivon. Isaiah is currently committed to Old Dominion and is set to have another big fall for Albemarle. Xzaivon is his counterpart at Wide Receiver and also plays Defensive Back. He was needed at the Quarterback position last year forcing him away from Wide Receiver. I expect him to be back at Receiver this fall, and we will get to see the tandem of Isaiah and Xzaivon for their senior seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212459' first='Jase' last='Rhodes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='853090' first='Jaziel' last='Hart'], North Cross</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether it is on offense or defense, this is a must see tandem out of Roanoke, Virginia. Arguably the best tandem in the state, Jase and Jaziel are ranked 8 and 9 overall respectively in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/virginia/rankings/2026-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Class of 2026 rankings</a>. Both players play a major role in North Cross' success on the field, and they look to unseat Blue Ridge this fall. Jase is committed to play for James Madison next fall, and Jaziel is committed to Penn State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1298381' first='Braylon' last='Trey Lester'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1591428' first='Anthony' last='Galbreth'], Virginia High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virginia High School has two good Offensive Tackles in Braylon and Anthony. We have seen both up close at our player showcases. Braylon shot up our rankings to 73rd Overall. He is light on his feet with a powerful base that allows him to move defensive linemen. You know who he is if you have followed me at all. Anthony anchors the Left Tackle position and is used in multiple block combinations due to his strength and athleticism. He recently picked up his <a href="https://x.com/Ant051680335591/status/1948772165920186582" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first offer from McPherson Colleg</a>e. At no one's fault but our own, we missed Anthony in our ranking update, and he should have been ranked. Be sure we will be keeping you updated on both Anthony and Braylon this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are in for a great season for Virginia High School football this fall. Be sure to keep up with our team at Prep Redzone Virginia for coverage throughout the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**Cole cannot communicate with prospects directly due to his work in college football. Any questions related to his content must be directed to the&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzoneVA</a></em>&nbsp;<em>account**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;to claim your Prep Redzone Prospect Index profile.<br>Follow me on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GoLions1934" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@GoLions1934</a>&nbsp;for further content |&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzoneVA</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzone</a>&nbsp;| Virginia Scouts&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/carljfred" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@carljfred</a>,&nbsp;</em><a href="https://x.com/EdOBrienCFB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>@EdOBrienCFB</em></a><em>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;</em><a href="https://x.com/robking2020" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>@robking2020</em></a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<em>View my previous Prep Redzone articles&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/author/cole-laing-author/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->