Freshman Friday: Episode 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to Freshman Friday, a weekly feature where we highlight some of the state's youngest high school players. Compared to some of my peers at other Prep Redzone sites, I'm typically a bit slower to write about the youngest class because I like to see some high school film first.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that the season has started, though, we've started looking at the class of 2029. Last week, I wrote about five impact freshmen in <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/freshman-friday-episode-1/">Episode 1</a>. We've just started compiling a freshman watchlist, but by the time this class graduates, it should be over 500 deep. So, we'll have plenty of content on the 2029 class. Here are five freshmen we're keeping an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Freshman Friday: Five Class of 2029 Players To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1866343"],"_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-68baddfdea168"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A standout baseball player, we selfishly want Butler to focus on football, because he's 6'4," over 200 pounds, and can really move. He's a two-way player we've listed as an edge rusher, and that's where his biggest impact has been so far this season. With good get off and bend, Butler has ripped off five sacks in his first two games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1868522"],"_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-68baddfdea1fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Frasier is a player who is just coming onto our radar, a smaller, shifty back who had over 100 yards in a shootout win over North Rowan. Salisbury has produced its share of athletic playmakers, and we're excited to see more of Frasier's film, as we think he's a guy who could have a big career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1631111"],"_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-68baddfdea270"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sumner hasn't yet broken out on a deep West Craven team, but he should get some extended varsity run by the end of the season. The "Fancy Feet" nickname is well deserved, as he's one of the fastest players in the class and should only get more effective after the catch as he gets bigger and stronger. He plays multiple positions, but he's a receiver to us, as it's hard to imagine playing him and not trying to put the ball in his hands in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1853129"],"_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-68baddfdea2e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Monroe has energized a budding Green Level team with explosive traits and the ability to flip a game with one play. In his first career game, Monroe had a crucial 77-yard punt return that ended up being the key play. He's big, fast, and has the ability to play both sides of the ball. We really like his upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1048930"],"_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-68baddfdea352"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With the state's No. 1 quarterback sidelined with an injury, Lowe stepped in and didn't just manage the offense; he went off with over 350 yards passing. We've since gotten to dive into that film and came away highly impressed. He has that underrated ability to put his short throws in a spot that continues his receivers' momentum and maximizes yards after the catch. He also threw from multiple arm slots to manipulate the pocket. He wasn't afraid to go deep either and hit a few long passes. The lefty has a bright future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Which other freshmen need to be on our radar? Let me know on Twitter (@<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">whelms21</a>). Want to send this to someone who isn't a subscriber? Promo code Helms30 will take 30% off the first billing cycle of any subscription.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->