PRNY Season Preview Star Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are coming up on the season, and below are some of the top players in New York State that are the highlight for scouts to watch. These players are going to get top college attention and will draw great attention to games under Friday night lights. Some are here to defend their Section V titles, and some work right beside each other to make each other better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">LB's:</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1213835"],"_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-688ecd5c31821"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What isn't there to love about [player_tooltip player_id='1213835' first='Matthew' last='Heininger']!? He is a cornerstone playmaker at the LB position for Brighton High School and has now committed to the University of Buffalo. Moreover, the athleticism is a star point for him. Conversely, he covers ground quickly and make plays all over the field. Breaking through the LOS and making TFLs was a constant for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brighton certainly will lean on Heininger heavily to go a long way this season. Locking down the defense and making an impact on offense as a TE. This is a special player that we all will be watching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13660376/671ee5a90d05f27b613261ec' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688ecd5c319ba"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">COMMITTED!! <a href="https://twitter.com/UBFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UBFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/OSRC9s0nVP">pic.twitter.com/OSRC9s0nVP</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1213835' first='Matthew' last='Heininger'] (@matthewheining1) <a href="https://twitter.com/matthewheining1/status/1929341084741542203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/UBFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UBFootball</a> commit <a href="https://twitter.com/matthewheining1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@matthewheining1</a> with 300lbs for 3 to kick off another week of <a href="https://twitter.com/Brighton_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Brighton_FB</a> summer workouts. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Team91?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Team91</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThePack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThePack</a> <a href="https://t.co/nyKDUC4zK5">pic.twitter.com/nyKDUC4zK5</a></p>&mdash; Coach Lian - Brighton Football (@CoachLian8) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachLian8/status/1944857373417386112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1344744"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1247834,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-688ecd5c31a29"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The second LB that plays right beside Heininger and that I am super high on coming into this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1344744' first='Amari' last='Snowden'] will impact not only the defensive side but the offensive side as well. I have talked about in the past how he has a tremendous ability at the OLB to be able to track players down trying to break away. At LB, Showden can play on the inside and outside to distribute plays because of his high level of stamina. Conversely, his offensive talent will be a major highlight and can turn him into a star this year. At that RB position, he was given opportunities from the wildcat in the red area, in which he had success. It will be interesting to see how his role evolves this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15886090/6753446eaa3ed1369f197b06' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688ecd5c31a50"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">6'4” 210 lbs 2026 LB <a href="https://twitter.com/AmariSnowden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmariSnowden</a> showing off that explosive power at summer workouts. Don't sleep on this big time, next level player! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Team91?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Team91</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThePack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThePack</a> <a href="https://t.co/Bn7PTRbEBS">pic.twitter.com/Bn7PTRbEBS</a></p>&mdash; Coach Lian - Brighton Football (@CoachLian8) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachLian8/status/1942703563685388364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1344768"],"_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-68954d93cc57c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The dual athlete in [player_tooltip player_id='1344768' first='Tyler' last='Estelle'] is ready to rock. The star LB for Webster Thomas is going to display his dominance in the run defense and coverage at length. Making dominant tackles in space and delivering big hits are going to show up on his highlight reel. Continuing to show his aggression by shedding blocks and making TFLs in the backfield will be on notice for the opponent. A key factor in his success is his speed and ability to diagnose plays faster than anyone else on the field. It will be encouraging to see how far Estelle can lead this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18151721/67114ee2217a5cfda20e902f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68954d93cc732"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>DB's:</strong></span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806370"],"_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-688ecd5c31a93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='806370' first='Ja'yvion' last='Sampson'] is that dual-threat CB and WR who is an electric football star coming into this year for University Prep. At the CB spot, Sampson's ability to be smooth, disciplined in footwork, and aggressive in making turnovers was fantastic. Continuing his ability at being a physical CB is why he has gained so much attention. Nonetheless, at WR he is going to continue to carry over his elite speed and YAC. Working all over the field, between the slot and boundary receiver, will be key to watch. In detail, this is a weapon that is going to be used all over, especially on jet sweeps/motions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17470547/6732790b0c6cd1aabd98860e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688ecd5c31ab5"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">Senior camp SZN has begun <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachMcCannERT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachMcCannERT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachIcy16?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachIcy16</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachrankin_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachrankin_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_JA_Marist?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_JA_Marist</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Conlin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Conlin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachMartinoSBU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachMartinoSBU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWaring?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachWaring</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ethan_fame?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ethan_fame</a> <a href="https://t.co/xFJf0iOo33">pic.twitter.com/xFJf0iOo33</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='806370' first='Ja'yvion' last='Sampson'] (@Jayvion_Sampson) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jayvion_Sampson/status/1935885354156044651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1621904"],"_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-68915c7b917c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jeffrey Logan is a must see attraction at Aquinas Institute as he has a special amount of skills at the RB and LB position. Logan was able to flash his speed, agility, and change of direction ability throughout this past season by leaving defenders tackling at air. Undoubtedly, what helps translate to making him a star RB is his vision before he bursts onto the open lane. Logan has incredible patience and field awareness once the ball is in his hands. In like fashion, his skills at the RB spot translate over to the LB position. Logan was quick to jump snaps, would shoot gaps to make TFLs, and was strong at the POA. No doubt that this is a star player that will be leaned on to help Aquinas defend their Section V Title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18085450/675ef06ee5599528e7ac4771' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68915c7b9199a"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I will be competing at <a href="https://twitter.com/Utica_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Utica_Football</a> College Prep Football Camp this Saturday!<a href="https://twitter.com/AQ__Athletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AQ__Athletics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AQ_football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AQ_football</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AqStrength?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AqStrength</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DerekAnnechino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DerekAnnechino</a> <a href="https://t.co/SnfhPbCE1w">pic.twitter.com/SnfhPbCE1w</a></p>&mdash; Jeffery Logan lll (@JefferyLoganlll) <a href="https://twitter.com/JefferyLoganlll/status/1930760384446656567?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->