PRZNY Showcase: Post Showcase Positional Grades
In this article:
Prior to the PRZNY Showcase I took the liberty of grading each of the position groups and going into depth on why I picked each of these grades. Now, following the show, I'll take a look at the grades I gave out and re-grade the position groups based on how I feel after watching them all compete against each other.
QBs:
Previous Grade: A+
New Grade: A+
The QBs were awesome-as expected. I expected guys like
Jacob Fortin
Jacob
Fortin
6'3" | 205 lbs | QB/P
St. Anthony's | 2028
State
NY
and Javon Thompson to perform-and they did. Fortin was amongst the biggest prospects at the event and sported a compact release. Thompson was amongst the most accurate quarterbacks at the event and showed some nice zip on the ball in some bad conditions.
Martin Koppelman
Martin
Koppelman
6'0" | 175 lbs | QB/K
Eagle Academy II | 2027
State
NY
, however, was the best of the day, and easily elevates this group to an A+. He was accurate, on time, with the best footwork of any of the prospects.
RBs:
Previous Grade: C+
New Grade: B+
The RB group was much more solid that I expected. It was headlined by the always impressive
Brysen Fry
Brysen
Fry
6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH/RB
Chenango Forks | 2028
State
NY
, who looks like a college football player at his young age. But other runningbacks like
Carter Torio
Carter
Torio
5'7" | 165 lbs | RB/LB
Sachem East | 2027
State
NY
and
Ethan Nazarian
Ethan
Nazarian
6'0" | 185 lbs | RB/DB
Ballston Spa | 2028
State
NY
absolutely showed out. Torio was the shiftiest of the group, consistently flashing speed and wiggle. Nazarian was surprisingly shifty for his size, and made some linebackers miss in one on ones. I felt like this group was much better than I had initially expected going in, and I came away impressed.
WRs:
Previous Grade: A+
New Grade: A+
Very similar story to the QB group here. The guys who I expected to show out going in, did.
J’Shon Goolsby
J’Shon
Goolsby
5'9"
NY
was awesome, he looked shifty and was attacking 50/50 balls despite having a smaller frame. He came down with a few really tough catches-made even more impressive by the poor conditions.
Jakari Hill
Jakari
Hill
5'7" | 155 lbs | DB
Onondaga | 2028
State
NY
, who I also named in my initial article, was unbelievable. Him or J'Shon were the best receivers of the day for sure. Jakari was super sudden in his routes, and flashed elite footwork. He was able to get open at will against a very good DB group. But what keeps the A+ grade for this group is the receivers who weren't on my radar coming in showing out.
Jasaun Cotto
Jasaun
Cotto
5'11" | 170 lbs | WR/DB
McQuaid Jesuit | 2028
NY
showed out-he had really good length and made a bunch of really tough catches. Was surprisingly fast as well. He had a thicker build than I expected as well.
Joaquin Cruz III
Joaquin
Cruz III
5'9" | 145 lbs | WR/DB
Carmel | 2029
NY
stuck out as well. A bit of a smaller receiver and he's only a 2029, but he had some really good reps and flashed strong hands. Was able to create seperation consistently.
TEs:
Previous Grade: C
New Grade: D
The tight end group was small, but I walked away feeling that they weren't as impactful as initially expected. It was a smaller group and they didn't stand out catching the football. There were really rough conditions, and it was a small group so I wouldn't hold it against them, they just didn't stick out as a whole.
OL:
Previous Grade: C+
New Grade: B+
The OL group was awesome. They had much much better size than I expected-and they were going AT IT with the DL. Me and Cory both remarked that the OL and DL were the two most competitive groups of the day. Lots of jerseys were ripped. Rocco Saclise was awesome all day. Mean, nasty, finished blocks all day and wouldn't get moved off his spot.
Kavin Gailliard II
Kavin
Gailliard II
6'1" | 285 lbs | OL/DL
Albany | 2028
State
NY
was also great. Finished a few blocks in one on ones. Very naturally strong lineman. Needed to work on getting out of his stance a bit but overall was one of the best lineman of the day. A lot of my concerns were washed away with this group, I was pleasantly surprised with them.
DL:
Previous Grade: B
New Grade: A
Same story as the OL here-the DL group was fantastic. They also had awesome size, and were displaying the same aggression and passion as the OL. I felt like the best DL of the day was
Quadir Truluck
Quadir
Truluck
6'3" | 255 lbs | DL/TE
Cornwall Central | 2028
State
NY
. He looks like a grown man at his young age. Big legs, able to knock OL off their spot. Would love to see him add more bend to his game, and I think he's got potential to play IDL or EDGE at the next level.
Oliver Pena
Oliver
Pena
5'9" | 235 lbs | OL/DL
Somers | 2029
NY
had an absolute toolkit. Busted out a lot of moves and consistently got free in one on ones. Would love to see him get a big bigger but he's got all the tools to be a successful defensive lineman.
Daniel Dankwah
Daniel
Dankwah
6'2" | 215 lbs | TE/EDGE
Washingtonville | 2027
NY
has the look of a perfect DL prospect. Long arms, athletic build, looks old for his age. He's a good athlete but needs to have a plan when he goes to rush the passer. But overall, much like the OL group, I walked away very impressed with the DL group.
LBs:
Previous Grade: B+
New Grade: B+
The linebackers were good! About as expected in my opinion. A B+ is a really strong grade. They held their own really well against a good RB group. Evan Truesdale was the best backer of the day, in my opinion. He's just a unit. Big kid, tough, and finished plays past the whistle. Embraces contact. Also came away really impressed with
Mycul Glover
Mycul
Glover
6'0" | 220 lbs | LB/TE
Fort Hamilton | 2027
NY
. Looked really athletic and had a standout play in one on ones where he recovered after slipping a bit on the wet grass. They really competed!
DBs:
Previous Grade: A
New Grade: A+
The DB group was unbelievable. They were a smaller group, with a ton of fight, and they took every rep like a champ. It's the same story as other positional groups that I felt were better than I expected, the best players showed out, like
Darren Garrett
Darren
Garrett
5'9" | 165 lbs | DB/ATH
FDR-Hyde Park | 2028
State
NY
and
Marcus Abellard
Marcus
Abellard
5'10" | 150 lbs | DB/WR
Holy Trinity | 2027
State
NY
, but other players really flashed too. Garrett's a physical, thick DB who's hands and physicality tend to give even great receivers issues. Abellard flashed with length and size.
Shaye Sykes
Shaye
Sykes
5'9" | 158 lbs | DB
Chaminade | 2028
State
NY
was a guy who really stuck out despite me not naming him in my previous article. He just wanted it-all he did was make plays. He was agile, quick, and able to consistently get his head around to the ball. Chiel Singleton had some real hype around him as well. He's actually from Georgia, so I haven't watched his tape before, but he was excellent. Also had really good length, was extra smooth backpedalling, and had the most technically sound stance of any of the defensive backs. He was a guy who I heard coaches talking about multiple times. Overall-the group was even better than advertised.
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