Scouting Underrated Players from Riverdale’s Spring Practice

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone's Shayne Pickering and I continued our 2026 Spring Tour, visiting various programs across the state to conduct interviews and see talented players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second visit in the series was at Riverdale High School, where we got a close-up look at an elite in-state program led by veteran head coach Will Kriesky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After being able to see a plethora of prospects, I'll be discussing five underrated players on this squad. We have a good mix of both sides, with three being on offense and the other two playing on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2198073} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-30-2026-5-23-17-PM-crop-1208x794-1777588076.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2198073" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale WR [player_tooltip player_id='2101290' first='Gavin' last='Johnson'] at his previous school. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 WR [player_tooltip player_id='2101290' first='Gavin' last='Johnson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2101290' first='Gavin' last='Johnson'] spent the last few seasons at Centennial before transferring to Riverdale. While the move went somewhat under the radar, it was a big add for the Warriors, as they got another talented pass catcher who has produced at a high level. In 13 games last season, he caught 43 passes for 737 yards and 11 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers solid size for the position, standing 6-foot and weighing 163 pounds in a longer frame that allows him to be a downfield threat. Johnson is a blazing-fast player, partially because of his background as a track athlete. Earlier in the year, he notched a 49.99-second time on the 400-meter dash.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior has good hands, is elusive, has elite athleticism and excels at deep shots. He's part of a loaded receiver room where he may very well be WR3, but Johnson will be a productive player. You would like for him to become more well-rounded to maximize his potential, but the 2027 prospect is still an FBS-caliber player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2112758} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-25-2026-1-32-34-PM-crop-1196x786-1769369655.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2112758" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale LB/EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1207775' first='Julius' last='Malden'] in a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1207775' first='Julius' last='Malden']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1207775' first='Julius' last='Malden'] is an intriguing linebacker from Riverdale High School who's shown a lot of good things on tape but still has no offers. I'm hoping that changes soon, because he's a quality player who would be a good get for a plethora of FBS programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has the ideal body for this position, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 225 pounds with a long, athletic frame. He's added 10 pounds of good weight this offseason, which should help him be recognized by college coaches. The 2027 prospect is a solid run stopper, but he stands out with his pass-rush ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Malden is speedy, has excellent moves, good footwork and nice bend that allows him to beat offensive linemen. He's also highly fluid, shows excellent body control and has a high football IQ that will help him become one of the top linebackers in Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2198078} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-30-2026-5-26-14-PM-crop-1320x867-1777588286.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2198078" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale DB [player_tooltip player_id='2180821' first='Izsaiah' last='Emery-Whitfield'] during a game at his previous school. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 DB [player_tooltip player_id='2180821' first='Izsaiah' last='Emery-Whitfield']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2180821' first='Izsaiah' last='Emery-Whitfield'] recently transferred back to Riverdale for his senior season, where he's a much-needed piece to the secondary with [player_tooltip player_id='904747' first='Dre' last='Otey'] going to Mississippi State. He is a versatile player who will stick at safety, but is athletic and skilled enough to contribute in a plethora of ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers good size, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 177 pounds, with a long, athletic frame that allows him to be placed all over the field. The 2027 prospect possesses solid footwork, impressive athleticism, strong physicality and high instincts, making him an intriguing player. While he plays a good center field and covers receivers well, Emery-Whitfield is a violent guy who can be placed in the box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior gets downhill very quickly and will light up opposing players. He plays with a relentless motor and flies around the field, two things that you must have to play safety at a high level. There are a few things he needs to polish up and develop to maximize his potential, but he is an exciting player to know heading into the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2198080} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-30-2026-5-16-57-PM-1-crop-1036x681-1777588345.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2198080" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale TE [player_tooltip player_id='1103559' first='Sutton' last='Gutting'] during an interview. Taken by Conner Smith, Prep Redzone.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 TE [player_tooltip player_id='1103559' first='Sutton' last='Gutting']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1103559' first='Sutton' last='Gutting'] is one of the most interesting prospects in his class, regardless of position. The 2027 tight end didn't produce much in the receiving game at Ravenwood, but is at Riverdale for his senior season, where he has already improved a lot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's just a projection at the moment, but he has impressive tools and looks to be an elite Tennessee high school tight end. Gutting stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 230 pounds, with a longer frame that allows him to put on more weight, which would be ideal for blocking bigger bodies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior moves very well and has solid hands, which will serve as another huge threat in the Riverdale offense. He needs to polish up pieces of his game, but Gutting has all the potential to be the No. 2 in-state tight end for his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2198084} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-30-2026-5-24-55-PM-crop-1201x789-1777588474.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2198084" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale OL [player_tooltip player_id='1568976' first='Tyi' last='Duncan'] during a game at his previous school. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1568976' first='Tyi' last='Duncan']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1568976' first='Tyi' last='Duncan'] recently announced his transfer from Brentwood Academy to Riverdale, in a vital move that gives the Warriors a good player on both sides of the football. He can be a productive defensive lineman, but the rising senior is best on the offensive line, where he holds 12 Division I offers. He's a versatile player who put it all together last season, earning all-region honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duncan has great size for his position, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 330 pounds in a long frame that helps him dominate. Even as a big guy, he's very athletic and moves better than a lot of linemen in Tennessee. The 2027 prospect is an all-around player who blocks well in both the run and passing games, but excels at run plays where he can get his big hands and body on people and drive them back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, don't sleep on his pass protection. Duncan has good technique, solid footwork, a nice anchor and good football IQ that helps him be rock-solid on the outside. With his size, skills and traits, the rising senior is likely best suited on the interior offensive line at the next level. But he will be a good player for Riverdale, which has the talent to compete for a title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->