TPS Athletes Making A Difference – Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tulsa Schools area is full of talented high school football players who are making their presence felt and helping their teams compete every Friday night. From established playmakers stepping into leadership roles to emerging prospects turning heads with their performances, these athletes are finding ways to make a difference on either side or on both sides of the football. In this feature, we take a closer look at some of the players who have caught our attention through film, live evaluations, and their impact on the field. In this 3 part series, we will keep highlighting the athletes who are stepping up for their teams and making their mark on high school football across the Tulsa area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Javon Brown | Edison | Athlete | 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have a 2029 cornerback in Javon Brown who brings an aggressive mindset and good technique to the secondary. Brown likes to get up in a receiver's face and challenge him at the line of scrimmage, using his hands well and staying square through his initial punch. He plays with confidence and understands how to disrupt a receiver's release while maintaining good positioning in coverage. His physical approach makes him an intriguing young defensive back to watch as he continues to develop. Brown has become a valuable matchup piece for the Eagles, giving them a cornerback they can trust against some of the opposing team's top receiving threats. He has the ability to line up across from a featured receiver in man coverage, but he also shows the technique and discipline needed to contribute in zone. That versatility gives Edison options when matching up against different offenses. As a member of the 2029 class, Brown is a young defensive back worth keeping an eye on as he continues to refine his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1832531' first='Janih' last='Franklin'] | Hale | Athlete | 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hale Rangers have another weapon on the offensive side of the ball in 2028 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1832531' first='Janih' last='Franklin']. Franklin gives quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1829708' first='Brett' last='Gancarz'] another dependable option in the passing game, bringing a good understanding of offensive concepts and how to find open space in the defense. He knows how to get open, and his versatility allows the Rangers to move him around the formation to create opportunities and put pressure on opposing defenses. I really like Franklin's route running, hands, and understanding of spacing. He can line up in the slot or work as a backside receiver, giving the Rangers different ways to create mismatches and get the ball into his hands. Once the ball finds him in space, he has the opportunity to make things happen and give the offense another playmaker to work with. Franklin's versatility and reliability make him a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop in the 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1832485' first='Wesley' last='Snow'] | Edison | OL/DL | 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Edison Eagles have a 2028 prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='1832485' first='Wesley' last='Snow'] who contributes on both the offensive and defensive lines. He has good length and a frame that should allow him to continue adding size as he develops. What stands out to me is his potential on the defensive side of the ball, where I believe he has the tools to play defensive end at the next level. Edison does a nice job utilizing his skill set, and Snow shows a good understanding of how to use his length to his advantage when attacking opposing offensive linemen. Snow does a good job extending his arms and keeping blockers from getting into his body, allowing him to maintain separation and work toward the ball. He also shows athleticism beyond what you might expect from a player with his frame, including the ability to drop into coverage before working back into the rush. That versatility gives the Eagles different ways to use him defensively. I like Snow's overall game, his physical tools, and the way he plays, and he is a player worth keeping an eye on as he continues to develop in the 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darrion Thomas | KIPP | OL/DL | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Darrion Thomas is a powerful, explosive athlete for KIPP who brings plenty of versatility to the defensive side of the football. Standing at 6'1” and 225 pounds, Thomas has a strong frame and moves well for his size. What stands out to me is his ability to use his hands, work through blocks, and disrupt the opposing offense. He does a good job with block destruction and shows the physical tools needed to make life difficult for offensive linemen. When he comes off the edge, Thomas has the ability to get flat and bend around the corner, allowing him to stay in pursuit and make plays on the backside. Thomas also brings positional versatility that makes him an intriguing 2027 prospect. While he primarily lines up at defensive end, he has the athleticism and skill set to move inside and play linebacker when needed. His ability to rush off the edge, fight through blocks, and contribute at multiple positions gives KIPP different ways to utilize him defensively. Thomas is a player I will continue to keep an eye on as the season progresses, especially with the combination of power, explosiveness, and versatility he brings to the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sericko Courtney | KIPP | WR/DB | 2030</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sericko Courtney is a young athlete who can make things happen when the ball is in his hands. Whether he is running a bubble screen or stretching the field on a go ball, Courtney shows the athletic ability to be a playmaker in the passing game. One thing I like about his game is his ability to high-point the football and catch it away from his body, giving defenders fewer opportunities to make a play on the ball. He also shows a physical side after the catch, as he is not afraid of contact and will lower his shoulder to fight for extra yardage. I would like to see more film on Courtney before putting together a complete evaluation, but there are some encouraging traits to build on at this stage of his development. His ability to make plays on the football, combined with his willingness to finish runs physically, makes him an intriguing young prospect. As a member of the 2030 class, Courtney is a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop and gain experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1836862' first='Xavier' last='Jauregui'] | Hale | OL | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hale has another intriguing prospect in the 2027 class with offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1836862' first='Xavier' last='Jauregui']. Standing at 6'6”, Jauregui has the length and frame that college programs look for, and he is already beginning to draw interest from schools stopping by to get a closer look. I have had the opportunity to watch Jauregui both in person and on film, and he has helped make a difference in anchoring the Rangers' offensive line. What stands out to me is his overall pass protection. Jauregui does a good job getting his hands-on edge rushers quickly, disrupting their approach before they can build momentum upfield. He also does a nice job keeping his pad level under control and avoiding the tendency to play too high, which can leave offensive linemen vulnerable against pass rushers. His hands are active without giving defenders easy opportunities to win the initial engagement. With his 6'6” frame, pass-protection ability, and continued college interest, Jauregui is a 2027 prospect worth watching as he continues to develop and help lead the way for the Hale Rangers up front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->