Poll Results: Casdia headlines impressive CIAC list

If you like defense, then you'd enjoy watching Carroll. He recorded 118 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and six sacks during the 2025 season, when he also intercepted a pass and forced two fumbles. He's helped Greenwich win the last two Class LL state championships, and his statistics in those two years include 226 tackles, including 31 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He also intercepted three passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Carroll is one of only two defensive starters returning from last season, and he will likely see some time at running back as well. After this season he will contrinut his football career at Carnegie Mellon University.    The Connecticut high school regular season begins on Sept. 10. Last week Prep Redzone asked readers to determine the best CIAC players in the state entering the 2026 season by voting in a poll that listed many of the state's top athletes. Readers were given 21 players to vote for, but voters were also able to pick a player not on the list. The five players who received the most votes are listed in order below:    Casdia was the runaway winner with 71 percent of the votes. He rushed for 1,350 yards and scored 18 touchdowns last season, when Glastonbury lost to Southington, 35-30, in the Class LL quarterfinals. He'll have a target on his back this season since quarterback Connor Finnerty and leading receiver Rocco Meigs both graduated. Casdia will enter the season with 3,497 career rushing yards, which puts the school's career rushing record within reach. That record of 4,403 yards was established by Jordan Brown during the 2008 season.     Ricketts was second in the poll with 28 percent of the votes. He received his first Power Four offer from Syracuse in May, but is also an exceptional point guard who could play basketball in college. Ricketts had 875 yards rushing, 794 yards receiving and scored 22 touchdowns last season, when Bunnell lost to Windsor in the Class MM championship game. He also intercepted four passes last fall. Ricketts was named to the Connecticut High School Coaches' Association Top 30 following the 2025 season. He's also a dangerous kick returner, which helped him generate 2,045 all-purpose yards in the last two seasons.     Budd will certainly be among the largest players in the state as he's listed at 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds. Although he's entering his junior season, he's already a two-time All-State selection. He'll be a crucial piece of Enfield's run-heavy double-wing offense, and will likely play defensive end in the team's 3-3 defensive front. He currently holds scholarship offers from Connecticut, Syracuse, Wake Forest and the University of Massachusetts. Budd will attempt to help Enfield reach the playoffs for the first time since since 2003.     Hoffman has committed to play college baseball at Northwestern. Catcher is his primary position, but he's also one of the most talented quarterbacks in the state. He completed 68 percent of his passes last season, when he threw for 2,034 yards and 21 touchdowns with four interceptions. He also guided New Canaan to a 13-0 record and a 34-13 victory over Cheshire in the Class L state championship game. The New Canaan program has a 49-3 record over the past four seasons and will carry a 23-game winning streak into its 2026 opener against Trumbull. New Canaan's winning streak is the longest in the state.