Who’s Next Up? Hidden Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We love the hidden gems, especially as we edge closer to the start of the season. These players may not have garnered much attention, but they possess a high ability to perform.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1639429"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2180983,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69ece1ea6c0bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1639429' first='Jaden' last='Lockrow'] is a physical CB and WR who flashed his potential on both sides. Defensively, he shows an aggressive mentality with the ability to attack the football. Pairing strong ball skills with notable short-area quickness was high for him. Lockrow will get physical on receivers, and he is not afraid to press at the LOS. Likewise, at the receiver position, the ability to make contested catches stood out at a high rate. Lockrow has a huge number of athletic traits, which we saw in his leaping ability and body control at the catch point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20089767/68e941b70032ec3e0ef0501f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ece1ea6c25a"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blessed!! Thankyou coach <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_DeBo46?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_DeBo46</a> from Michigan State, for taking the time to come to see us workout today‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/PRZcory?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PRZcory</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachFulger?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachFulger</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SSHS_CoachCoons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SSHS_CoachCoons</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachHayden56?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachHayden56</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MSU_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MSU_Football</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachRossNCSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachRossNCSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/esP38n0vg9">pic.twitter.com/esP38n0vg9</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1639429' first='Jaden' last='Lockrow'] 27'ATH⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@JadenLock0) <a href="https://twitter.com/JadenLock0/status/2047432099569811850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Christian Thomas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"155","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Erasmus Hall","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ece1ea6c319"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Christian Thomas is a shifty WR that gets in and out of breaks quickly. His quick feet were a big portion of his game. That said, Thomas has the ability to run routes fluidly and can make defenders miss. Additionally, Thomas will make quick catches from the slot position and hang onto the football after taking big hits. A significant portion of his game involved the utilization of quick screens, jet streams, and quick outs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/27322079/6925cca8c61f738cea2f32a1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ece1ea6c345"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2174592"],"_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-69ece1ea6c38d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2174592' first='Mycul' last='Glover'] is an OLB that can do a variety of actions for a defense and flashes all over his tape. Glover can line up in multiple spots, including off the edge, where he rushes the passer with discipline and length. Countless times he was able to knock down passes because of his length and frame. Significantly, he sets the edge with a high amount of patience but also aggressiveness. Nonetheless, a pristine ability to recognize plays and attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20124708/69bdb8efad15bc807ec795a7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ece1ea6c3b1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2124806"],"_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-69ece1ea6c3f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2124806' first='Aqeel' last='Khan'] is a big-bodied center that provides a lot of pushback in the interior of the offensive line. Given that, Khan makes strong trap and reach blocks in the A gap, especially on inside runs. Khan will hold up with strength against pass rushers trying to power through. He also displays strong awareness, showing the intelligence to identify and pick up linebackers blitzing through the A-gap. Development in quickness and power will only make him a better player.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/24167230/6983f864d3473b151b081bc3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ece1ea6c410"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great time at <a href="https://twitter.com/Wagner_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Wagner_Football</a> today for spring practice. Really enjoyed watching the team and getting to meet the coaches.<a href="https://twitter.com/FBCoach_Sino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBCoach_Sino</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/QBoogieSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QBoogieSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachevansfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachevansfb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tommasella?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tommasella</a><br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/DozoFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DozoFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZcory?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PRZcory</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/97TylerClarke?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@97TylerClarke</a> <a href="https://t.co/DdRSRkb1O5">pic.twitter.com/DdRSRkb1O5</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2124806' first='Aqeel' last='Khan'] CO27 (@Aqeel_744) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aqeel_744/status/2045698700664537468?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2090248"],"_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-69ece1ea6c44f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2090248' first='Joey' last='Dipiazza'] is an explosive player that made a lot of fiery plays for Niskayuna High School. Equally important, DiPiazza has the ability to play at RB, WR, and CB. On the offensive side, DiPiazza's acceleration is a clear strength, especially with the ball in his hands. Dipiazza will get off the LOS with quickness, which is why he can get down the field vertically at a high rate. Seeing lanes to break through with speed was a large portion of his game as well. Flipping to the CB spot, Dipiazza will read the QB to make plays on the football. Certainly, the man coverage ability to stay in phase with receivers down the field to make PBUs flashed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20353595/6935721bcd06d6b43c385ec5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ece1ea6c46e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20353595/696ce4dc015caff4146e4d66' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ece1ea6c489"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">28' ATH <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeyDiPiazza12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeyDiPiazza12</a> , working stance &amp; start, notice the back knee upon release. He drops it to release off ball. If you're dropping it to get going change your stance &amp; lower it to begin with. Easy fix, he's a quick learner and has a ton of upside!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GTG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GTG</a>👻 <a href="https://t.co/7eBGOWjJVo">pic.twitter.com/7eBGOWjJVo</a></p>&mdash; Jared Ambrose (@Coachjambrose) <a href="https://twitter.com/Coachjambrose/status/2046960090020749526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->