Freshman Friday: Episode 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy Friday, and welcome back to one of my favorite weekly series. Every Friday, we take a look at some of the youngest players in the state. Freshmen are making an impact this season all across the state, and we want to highlight them. Here's our third episode of Freshman Friday. Enjoy!</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":["1781963"],"_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-68c41e6a5fe08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Though he doesn't have a clear path to consistent playing time on a loaded Cardinal Gibbons team, Caesar looks like a player, and he has broken the varsity rotation. That's a huge feat as a freshman. Even more impressive, he's played some on both sides of the ball, scoring a touchdown as a running back and racking up a few tackles as a defensive back. I saw him make an impressive leaping interception in a preseason scrimmage, and Caesar looks like a future star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1853840"],"_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-68c41e6a5ff03"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cannady is already making an impact on varsity for Wilson Prep, something that was expected from the start. The coaching staff was high on him in the offseason, and he's delivered, playing extensively on the interior of the defensive line. He moves really well for his size. That's allowed him to make a huge impact as a pass-rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["892101"],"_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-68c41e6a5ffbc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allen is a guy who has been on our radar for a while, and he's a name to stash away for the future. The Rolesville transfer is sitting behind a deep group of Division 1 offensive linemen, but once they graduate, he's next up. His blend of size and quickness turned the heads of the Campbell coaching staff, earning him an early offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1884218"],"_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-68c464f414705"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There's a bit of a youth movement going on at Kings Mountain, but the Mountaineers are thriving, sitting at 3-0. Byers has been a big part of that, as the freshman is playing a ton of snaps on defense. He's long and athletic, able to run with faster receivers. He's shown good ball skills and a vertical that allows him to make plays with the ball in the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1884222"],"_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-68c464f414767"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We don't always hear of talent coming out of Northside-Pinetown this early, but Woods looks like a guy to watch. He's had two sacks in three games, with both coming last week in a tight win over Washington. Woods has good size for a freshman, and if he can be a pass-rushing threat on a great Panthers team that has historically lacked in that department, he'll start to gain some recognition.</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 -->