Film Study: Section 2,3 2026 Wide Receivers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the summer, we will be looking at the 2026, 2027, 2028 NY recruiting classes. While stats show numbers, film shows the entire story. For this series we will be looking at 20 players in each position throughout the next three cycles. In this edition of WR Film Study we have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1212767' first='Cam' last='Grasso'], [player_tooltip player_id='1307489' first='Kieghlin' last='Hicks'], [player_tooltip player_id='1212764' first='Peyton' last='Way'], [player_tooltip player_id='1344783' first='Nyquan' last='Gilbert']</strong>, <strong>Jay-Niel McDuffie</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212767"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68768bd890256"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grasso is listed as an ATH/WR. As a sophomore, he took snaps at both positions. The Niskayuna star stands at 6'1″ 175-pounds and projects as a WR who can be used as a wildcat or option QB in certain formations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grasso has serious speed. Reaching the second level is easy as he leaves opposing defenders yards behind in just a few seconds. His speed is visible in his WR tape as his quick first step and burst leaves DB's hustling to catch up.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Deep ball is his #1 route, but he shows a distinct tool bag of multiple other routes. His physicality and balance stand out as can be a human pinball machine with defenders bouncing off of him with contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16811109/67ad3bab904de457c2d4b0b2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68768bd89059f"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1307489"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68768bd890630"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Syracuse and Boston College are two colleges with offers extended to the CBA-Syracuse product. Standing at 6'3″ 185-pounds Hicks has a solid build for the position.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hicks displays an elite route tree understanding paired with elite separation. He dominates the Redzone and creates huge mismatches in that region. His size makes him a threat with 50/50 balls and catches in traffic. He has a quick burst and break and can create huge gains after initial contact.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Overall a solid prospect who can lineup across the LOS whether outside or in the slot. Hicks excels in man and press coverage. Size and skills should make him a threat at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19919102/675b42dd1d7379e8ab52eacd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68768bd89067a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212764"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68768bd8906f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Way is a frequent camp attender who has left his mark in every competition. Standing at 6'0″ 190-pounds, the New Hartford WR made a lasting impact with Lead Scouts at events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Easily and not surprisingly <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1212764' first='Peyton' last='Way']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/peyton-way/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/peyton-way/"></a> was one of the best receivers in West Grove all weekend. Earning a top performer without question, Way showed you again why is the 31st ranked prospect in New York.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On film, Way is no different. He can lineup across the LOS using his understanding of Zone and Man coverage to create mismatches and find the open room across the field. He is difficult to tackle and extremely shifty making easy cuts to escape defenders. His route tree is elite and he seems capable of creating separation on every route.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Way is an elite prospect who will easily rise in the next 2026 rankings. The New Hartford prospect is for sure a top WR in the state of NY.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17983464/674d177fcf55412f864b441b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68768bd890738"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1344783"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68768bd8907ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'1" 175 pound prospect hailing from ITC-Syracuse has outstanding athleticism paired with a solid build for the WR position. Gilbert can also contribute as a FS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilbert has outstanding COD paired with fluid hips allowing him to appear across the field on almost every play. He is a sturdy receiver who absorbs contact and bounces off defenders improving his YAC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a solid two-way prospect who has traits to play at both positions. He is an electric athlete who I believe projects mainly as a WR but can play in the secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20079907/67321821b161cc4af71b7951' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68768bd89082f"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1612455"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68768bd8908a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The East Syracuse Minoa prospects can play at the WR position and in the Secondary. He has a solid build for both positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He projects at both and can play where ever he is needed. He has quick feet with solid COD allowing him to make defenders miss with ease. He has a good understanding of the route tree.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like McDuffie a lot. He is my favorite prospect in Section Three. He is currently receiving interest from colleges and with a solid senior season the offers will continue rolling in. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18231137/673578e22a3468f40b151994' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68768bd8908d1"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->