2028 Gadget Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest jump I always see athletes make is from their sophomore to junior season. These players already took a considerable step forward during their sophomore year, and I'm expecting an even bigger jump throughout 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1637410"],"_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-6974e72ae5b74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jefferson's RB1 had a breakout 2025 season, and I'm just now getting to his highlight tape! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Drake ran more efficiently than I expected. 0:52 demonstrates how much of a north-south runner Drake is. A lot of RBs would have taken that play further outside, but Drake saw a hole, trusted his legs, and outran several defenders in close space. 1:05 is another good example of Drake's vision. A smart cut inside, breaks a few tackles, and scores. Many highlights of Drake's play out just like this. Outside zone leading to a smart cut upfield, a few broken tackles, and an explosive play earned. Drake has much better vision and contact balance than I was expecting. Dependent on his testing numbers, I could absolutely see Drake being a good college prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23309548/6923a3b9776090401cce6dfb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6974e72ae5de0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1581329"],"_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-6974e72ae5e30"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWzSUedWo5o&amp;t=3s">Link to Logan's tape</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Logan's midseason sophomore highlights show promise. Next season, I could see Logan doing well on Varsity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best described as an elusive RB, Logan excels when given space. Many highlights show Logan picking up an explosive run on an outside toss. Runs between the tackles are fewer, but Logan did prove he can accelerate through a hole and get upfield fast. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speed is the name of Logan's game. At 1:14, Logan does a nice job quickly accelerating out of the backfield and dodging the free rusher. At 1:00, Logan nearly outruns the entire defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently, Logan is a good elusive back. He possesses above average speed and acceleration, but needs to upgrade his strength and contact balance. Next season could be Logan's breakout Varsity campaign if he works hard this offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687449"],"_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-6974e72ae5e88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jayden transferred from River Rouge to Ecorse and immediately became the Raiders' #1 option. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jayden's utilization is interesting, as he did a little bit of everything. Of course, Jayden ran some medium-deep routes and did well with his opportunities there. Great job coming down with the ill-advised pass at 1:00. Though, Jayden was way more of a gadget and short-route player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3:21 is one of several plays from the wildcat. In the wildcat, Jayden was commonly tasked with being a power RB. Several examples of Jayden being able to pick up tough 3rd and 4th downs, and I'm pleasantly surprised with his contact balance </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A very unique WR highlight tape from Jayden. He was able to put his power and contact balance on full display, with a few instances of medium-deep routes to round out his tape. He's absolutely a player to keep an eye on this 7on7 / Camp 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/3/26642232/68bc42d45f1658bcf4737c7d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6974e72ae5ead"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2079402"],"_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-6974e72ae5ef6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Channing had a breakout sophomore season, but I think his Junior season is going to blow it out of the water. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past season, Channing was an excellent speed in space option for DeWitt's elite offense. The Panthers had an elite group of weapons and some of the best blocking in the state. There are so many examples of plays like 0:18, where Channing earns a carry outside the tackles, and simply follows his blocks, turns upfield, and outruns the defense. Channing consistently stands out with his top-tier speed, as well as his sneaky-good vision. He seems to know exactly when to cut inside, follow behind his blockers, or bounce it outside. It's subtle, but Channing's vision is what turns a lot of his touches into explosive plays, not his speed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, Channing's speed is really, really good. Straight-line, very few defenders are catching him. In tight space, Channing does a great job of starting and stopping, keeping a low center of gravity, and being a pest to tackle. I'd frankly be shocked if Channing didn't have an amazing Junior 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/3/23336142/691f2c6bee28be81556c0be6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6974e72ae5f18"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1398370"],"_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-6974e72ae5f59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blake fits the mold at Anchor Bay quite well. 5'11", a solid athlete, and JV tape that projects well to the varsity level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His tape kicks off with a solid double-move slant in the redzone. Seems like the DB tripped over his own feet, leading to an easy TD from Blake. The double move was fine, but I definitely want to see twitchier, more decisive route running from Blake moving forward. 0:30 is an example of that decisiveness. Simply running a go route, Blake immediately earns separation and out-athletes the DB. With a little more efficent route running and generally less wasted movement, Blake can be a good Varsity player next season. Looking for all-around better attention to detail. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18490623/69013fbd0d2241dbb093df03' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6974e72ae5f7a"} /-->