Freshman Friday: 2026 Episode 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to Episode 4 of <em>Freshman Friday</em>, a piece dedicated to highlighting some of the top freshmen in the state. Every week, more young playmakers add their names to the mix of intriguing Class of 2030 contributors. While most of these guys have made an impact at the varsity level, we may have a player or two with potential too big to ignore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Freshman Friday: Five Class of 2030 Players To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: While I like to organize recurring articles, part of the fun of Freshman Friday is the randomness. I'm not looking at any one position, and I hardly have any method for deciding which players to feature. We have 64 players on our initial watchlist, and that group will only grow throughout the season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/freshman-friday-2026-ep-1/">Episode 1</a></em><br><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/freshman-friday-2026-ep-2/">Episode 2</a></em><br><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/freshman-friday-2026-ep-3/">Episode 3</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1136494"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa30d6f000cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Del Rosario isn't likely to get many starting reps behind an established senior on a state championship contender. However, he's already gotten a few reps at the varsity level and should get more looks as the season progresses. He's not the biggest guy yet, but he has an excellent arm and good command of the pocket. As he continues to progress, I'm interested to see how he flashes in the coming months. Even if he is a year or two away from starting, Del Rosario is squarely on our radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2211795"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa30d6f0010e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rhodes doesn't look like a freshman, and he's getting early varsity run along with a handful of other 2030s on West Charlotte's roster. He has some explosive ability off the line of scrimmage and looks like he could eventually be a high-sack total guy. I like his athletic profile and that he's flashed a few pass-rushing moves. He's just getting started, but he could be a critical defensive piece for the Mighty Lions in conference play and in a potential playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2333831"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa30d6f00132"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a team full of athletes, Williams has quickly become the top offensive target. He's mature for his age, and on a young receiving corps, he seems to be a leader. The Wolverines have stalled out near the end zone often this season, but as Williams continues to gain valuable experience, we think he'll see his touchdown and target numbers jump in the coming weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2155645"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa30d6f00151"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Forest Hills is no stranger to playing young skill players, and though Ford has yet to truly break out, he's gotten some early varsity run. The youngster has the frame and skill set to play multiple positions (We initially classified him as a receiver before the season). He has some wiggle in the hole and can make guys miss. He's already earned the staff's trust. His biggest impact so far has been as a kick returner, as he's already scored a touchdown on a kickoff. It looks like he could be on his way to an excellent career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2387073"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa30d6f00170"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burgess continues to take on more responsibility as the season progresses, and he's coming off his best performance of the year in Week 3. The free safety is an instinctual run defender who gets downhill quickly and excels at setting the edge and making plays in space. He had 11 tackles and a pass deflection in Week 3, and continues to look better each week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Which other freshmen need to be on our radar? Let me know on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>). Want to send this to someone who isn't a subscriber? Promo code Helms30 will take 30% off the first billing cycle of any subscription.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->