High-Rising Sophomores to Watch this Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10 weeks into the high school football season, the first-year Varsity starters are no longer "rookies". First-timers are now solidified starters, while 2nd-year starters are now experienced veterans. Today, we'll take a look at five underclassmen who have stepped up big for their programs this weekend, and will hopefully continue to do so tomorrow night in the District Finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1678599"],"_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-690d1edd1d7d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nauss was extremely impressive against West Bloomfield. He just kept on coming. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was only in attendance for the second half, but I still watched 10+ carries from Nauss. In total, he probably earned over 20 touches, which is an elite number for an RB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nauss did a great job wearing down the West Bloomfield defense. It didn't matter if it was inside zone or outside toss- Nauss brought excellent physicality and good contact balance. When he earned his way into the open field, I was impressed with his top speed. Nauss did look a bit slow during his last couple carries, but pretty much anyone would be if they had a 20+ carry playoff game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It'll be a tall task to upset Detroit CC tomorrow, but with Nauss, they've got a shot. Super impressed with Nauss last week, and looking forward to seeing more this offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["977482"],"_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-690d1edd1d83d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heading into this season, nobody really knew who would emerge as Cass Tech's RB1. [player_tooltip player_id='977482' first='Julian' last='Taylor'] has made a great case for himself, and with an elite offseason, he'll earn the highest volume next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the regular season, Julian totaled 584 yards and 12 TDs on just 42 carries (13.9 YPC). Against Toledo CC, I was incredibly impressed with his physicality and contacy balance. Julian consistently broke the first attempted tackle and consistently earned a few extra yards than I would have expected. Additionally, he's looked like a well-conditioned 3-down back. Able to go all four quarters without slowing down much.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tomorrow, Julian will earn a good number of touches. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='977482' first='Julian' last='Taylor'] against Brighton! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688883"],"_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-690d1edd1d8a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A traits-heavy offensive lineman who has earned a ton of experience this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tommy has amazing size, and he's coming along nicely when it comes to technique. In the run game, Wilbon does a good job executing the block in front of him, and even finding someone else to block before the whistle blows. In the pass game, Tommy is a brick wall with above-average anchor and a nice punch. He's one great offseason away from being a Divison 1 prospect, and I can't wait to see how he fares against a super aggressive West Catholic defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["977460"],"_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-690d1edd1d90e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Biggest game of Tyler's young career tomorrow night!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's an exciting time. Throughout this season, Tyler has solidified himself as WR1 for Brother Rice, and he's diversified his route tree quite a bit. Last offseason, I thought he was mostly a physical downfield target. This season, he's found success in screens, quick outs, comebacks, etc. He's improved tremendously after the catch, as Tyler is commonly able to slip through arm tackles and catch a seam in the open field. Even when the defense locks him up, Tyler is still usually able to grind out an extra yard or two. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tomorrow against St. Mary's Tyler should earn a good number of targets. A must-watch! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["944415"],"_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-690d1edd1d96b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've got some homework to do regarding Drew. For another season, Drew has proven to be an incredibly efficient quarterback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upon first glance of his 2025 tape, Drew seems to see the field exceptionally well. So many examples of Drew being able to extend the play, scan the field, and deliver a strike to an open receiver. Other moments show accurate, on-time passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you want to see a (likely) future D1 quarterback in the playoffs, go watch Divine Child play tomorrow. If you want to watch him face an elite secondary, you can very likely go watch Drew face off against Harper Woods next week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->