Potential Breakouts of Northern Arizona

The "next man up" mentality is in full effect for Northern Arizona schools, as there are a ton of players that will fill bigger and different roles this season. Here are five key players that will have the opportunity to have breakout seasons in 2020: <img class="size-medium wp-image-24526 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/06/Generic-Featured-Image-3-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /> Makai Funaki, TE, 6’4" 225lbs. Round Valley High School (C/O 2021) Funaki is an all-purpose tight end transferring to Round Valley from Pueblo West High School in Pueblo, Colorado. Funaki looks to be an immediate threat this season, as he is a huge kid with massive potential. He is an excellent blocker, as he displays great leverage and pad level. His strength and size gives him the ability to create big open lanes for ball carriers. Funaki sells blocks well on play action which makes him open frequently. He shows good awareness on inside and short routes by finding an open window to sit in, as well as understanding quick or delayed seam concepts. Funaki will be a key player for Round valley and should bring attention his way. [player_tooltip player_id="42889" first="Matias" last="Ortiz"], DE, 6’1" 200lbs. Coconino High School (C/O 2022) Ortiz looks to be a major force for Coconino’s defense this season. Ortiz displays very good play recognition skills with good instincts. He shows the ability to shed and get off blocks to make plays. One of the best traits Ortiz possesses is his ball awareness, as he has shown effective efforts to strip ball carriers often without missing the tackle, as well as being able to force QB’s into panicking into bad decisions. Ortiz had previously attended the "Best Coast Showcase" and the "Desert Elite Prospect Camp" this summer. Look for Ortiz to have a major impact for the Coconino defense this season. Elijah Acuna, RB, 5’6" 175lbs. Bradshaw Mountain High School (C/O 2022) Acuna only appeared in 5 games last season, but was a notable spark when the ball was in his hands. He possesses very good speed and quickness as he had shown the ability to stretch the edge effectively when he had the opportunity. Acuna runs low and shows very good balance. He displays an ideal combination of strength, speed, and agility for an all-purpose RB, and will only continue to mature and grow into his potential. Acuna will be playing for a new coach this year in the highly respected, successful, and iconic Arizona prep football coach Bob Young. Acuna is an ideal fit for coach Young’s offense, so expect Acuna to have a major role and handle the workload for the Bradshaw offense. Wyatt Snyder, QB, 5’11" 170lbs.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-46082" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_4317-300x268.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="268" /> Prescott High School (C/O 2021) Snyder will enter the 2020 season as the starting QB for Prescott after serving as the backup last season. Snyder shows good footwork and has the ability to scramble and throw on the run. He displays a good ability to extend pays, and his mobility should be a key component of his game. Snyder continued to improve his ability to step up in the pocket, and has had high appraisal from coach Cody Collett entering this season. He is a tough kid, and is not afraid to sit in the pocket and take a hit if he needs to. He shows big spurts of potential, and could very well become a big name to watch early in the season at Prescott. Jace Wetzel, WR, 5’8" 160lbs. Flagstaff High School (C/O 2021) Wetzel shows very good speed and the ability to get upfield quickly after the catch. He shows good ball adjustment skills by consistently tracking and coming back to the ball as he was under thrown often on film. He is a threat as a return specialist by showing good bursts through gaps along with having good ball carrier vision. Wetzel could build off his speed and easily develop into a legit threat as a slot. He had also attended the "Desert Elite Prospect Camp" this past summer with teammates [player_tooltip player_id="42668" first="Luis" last="Jaramillo"], Morgan Bewley and Zach Morse. Wetzel should see a major increase in targets this season, and could definitely be a surprise game changer for Flagstaff.