Six Rochester New York Football Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You better believe that this week I have six more high school football players in the Rochester NY region that are more than worthy to keep an eye on for this upcoming season. The players have shown the ability, grit, and determination this past season that they are looking to carry over into 2023. Keep an eye out for these players because they truly have and will help their teams win a lot of football games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527783"],"_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":625624,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThere is an incredible amount of fight and drive that bleeds off the film when watching u003c/spanu003eu003cbu003eThomas Welkeru003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e from Brighton High School play the game of football. This is a freakish 6'4”, 195-pound TE and DE that is outrageously athletic. In addition to football, he plays basketball and lacrosse for his high school. During his freshman year, an unfortunate injury happened to the starting TE and Welker was pulled up. When he was pulled up to varsity, he started the final game of the year at both TE and DE. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAt the TE position, he truly is a do-it-all TE that can block, run the majority of the route tree releasing off the LOS in a 3-point stance, or even out wide in a receiver role. Selling his routes by leading his body one way, and then breaking off to the other directions truly allowed him to separate from DBs. The toughness and fight just popped off the tape when Welker had to make a block on the edge or 2nd level defender. The pure leg drive and ability to block a defender in space stood out tremendously.  u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe endless amount of pursuit was one of the biggest factors in Welker's game at the DE position. Continuously, he was always chasing down the ball carrier or QB that was put on the move. His pure strength to rip off of blocks to make a tackle was on pure display when a run was sent to his side. The length that he possesses was a huge help, especially when rushing the passer to give him space between himself and the offensive lineman. That space would grant him the ability to use his active hands to make a move off the block to get to the QB. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eBrighton has never won a sectional title, and Welker has made it clear that winning a title is his top goal for the upcoming season. Having fun with his teammates and improving each and every day to make himself a better football player is a goal as well.  u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTwitter: @ThomasWelker5 u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eInstagram: @tomwelker31 u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHudl: u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/13679797/Thomas-Welkeru0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/13679797/Thomas-Welkeru003c/spanu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9be932150a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17445342/6360410e176c7e01c4c083c9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9be9321587"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527787"],"_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":625646,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis is what you call a fighter that love to play the game of football. This is a football player that may not be the biggest or strongest but can make defenders miss in a flash because of his quickness and pure speed in the open field. [player_tooltip player_id='527787' first='Patrick' last='Nobes'] is a 5'7”, 150-pound RB/KR from Fairport High School that is a true treat watching with the ball in his hands. If you initially guess that Nobes is primarily only a shifter in the open field and can only beat defenders with his quick moves, you are dead wrong. This is a RB that is not afraid to lower his pad level to pick up extra yardage, especially near the goal line. So many times he was able to stay balanced and keep fighting after initial contact.  u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe pure ability to read his blocks, find the open lane, and burst right through the hole was at a high level. Patrick's natural speed and acceleration just stands out tremendously, especially when he has to bounce a run to the D-gap. That extra level of elusiveness that he possesses in his skill set allows him to be so dangerous in the open field. So many times a defender would simply take the wrong angle at him and miss suddenly with a quick juke provided by Nobes.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eNobes has experience running out of the I-formation, following his FB through the A and B gaps. Additionally, he has experience coming out of shotgun and the pistol formation taking handoffs. The Swiss army knife ability is a great way to describe this football player. Having a RB that can be utilized in the passing game is also a plus here for Fairport. Lastly, Patrick is a huge threat on special teams returning kickoffs and punts to set his offense up for great opportunities. Nobes has big goals for 2023, some of which are to gain more weight, become a captain that his team can count on, and keep allowing himself to improve to be the best player that he can be. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTwitter: @PatrickNobesu003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eInstagram: @patricknobesu003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHudl Profile:u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/profile/17445342u0022u003e u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ehttp://www.hudl.com/profile/17445342u003c/spanu003eu003c/au003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9be9321646"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17445342/6360410e176c7e01c4c083c9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9be932167f"} /--> <!-- 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":628080,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jay Smith","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Brighton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eJay Smith is a 5'9”, 185-pound RB/LB that plays the game of football with a lot of force at Brighton High School. This is a downhill RB that is not going to try to do too much to cause himself to turn over the ball or lose yardage at the LOS. Smith was lined up out a lot in the shotgun formation where he would gain positive gains from draws and powers. A huge positive in Jay's game as a RB is he does an outstanding job at being patient and letting the blocks develop in front of him. As I stated before, he is not going to try to do too much, and gains as much positive yardage as he can to put his offense in position to score.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eOver at the LB spot, Smith was utilized on the edge as a OLB being able to get after the QB. There were multiple occurrences of Jay being able to set the edge, purse the QB trying to escape the pocket, and drop them for a sack or small gain. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eSmith has such a huge motor and is always attacking every play at full speed and strength. Even when Jay may not be in the direct area on the field to make a tackle, he is always pursuing with a high amount of effort. When it comes to the upcoming season, Smith deeply wants to help his team make a deep playoff run for his senior season. One action that Smith did that I admired was he recommended the most teammates out of any player I have talked to. This is not just a passion player, but a caring teammate as well.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTwitter: @JaySmoovefrmdaBu003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eInstagram:@jaysmoovefrmdabu003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHudl Profile: u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/15674684/Jay-Smithu0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/15674684/Jay-Smithu003c/spanu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9cd7a81f9e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15674684/6372638d5b3cab0e80554e9f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63db02d5c54dd"} /--> <!-- 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":633518,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Chase Williamee","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Canandaigua","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThere is so much fight, power, strength, and straight-out aggressiveness in this OG/C/DT from Canandaigua Academy High School. Chase Williamee weighs in at 245-pounds and stands in at 6'0”. This past season, Williamee was a freshman starting at the varsity level and made such a huge impact on tape. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWhen it comes to playing at the OG, Chase already has such a well-balanced blocking form in both the pass and run game. I was flat out impressed by his ability to take on blitzes sent his way and being able to man handle defenders at the point of attack. The pure athleticism to get out into the 2nd level of the defense to create open space for the ball carrier was present throughout his games. It was incredible to see the amount of effort when he was able to get out so quickly on screens and find a defender to block. In his pass pro, Williamee has such active hands to slap down defenders and control them using his pure leverage at the point of attack. Time after time, he would finish his blocks and would pancake the defender into the turf. Many times, there were HB dives, or draws sent running behind him in the A or B gaps. The pure dominance of power to drive interior defenders backwards was off the charts for a player of his age. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe consistency, intensity, and pure motor just screams to you off the tape in all assets of his game. This was one of my favorite players to watch so far and Chase truly has a bright future if he keeps on improving every day. Williamee made it clear that he has two goal for this upcoming season. The first is to win a state championship and the second is to be named first-team AGR.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTwitter: @Chasewilliamee1u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eInstagram: @Chase_williamee68u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHudl Profile: u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/15921802/Chase-williameeu0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/15921802/Chase-williameeu003c/spanu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e030a043655"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15921802/639728257bdd20090cec4dcb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e030a0436b4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521439"],"_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":634680,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A 5'8”, 165-pound senior from Webster Schroeder High School that was super effective at both the WR and CB positions for his team this past season. When it comes to this upcoming season, u003ca href=u0022https://prepredzone.com/player/justin-maier/u0022u003eJustin Maieru003c/au003e has made it clear that he wants to win both the sections and state championships, in addition to making AGR first-team. This past year, Maier received Class A1 All-Federation first-team DB and an AGR honorable mention for his dominate play on the football field.rnrnAt the WR position, the majority of Maier's big plays came out of the Y-receiver role working the middle of the field. Justin does a great job of running routes, especially in the short area of the field. There were multiple situations where Maier was able to sell a quick double move right off the release to fool the DB. Maier would sell that he was running a slant, in, or drag route, then cut up the field for a large gain. The straight YAC ability on Justin truly makes him a huge threat against any defense play soft coverage. Justin finished the year with 31 receptions for 536 yards and had 6 TDs.rnrnThe pure ability to be patience and reading the QB was put on full display over at the CB role here for Maier. Being able to diagnose the play and routes WRs were running truly allowed him to make big time plays on defense. This is a special player that is not going to give in and only stops until he hears a whistle. One play stood out tremendously where the “no quit” mentality chasing down an RB with a 10-yard head start to prevent a TD. The season ending stats at CB were 2 INTs, 56 total tackles, 25 solo, 31 assisted, and had 3 TFLs. Maier will be one fun player to watch this coming fall.rnrnTwitter: @j_maier21rnrnInstagram: @j_maier21rnrnHudl Profile: u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16277841/Justin-Maieru0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/16277841/Justin-Maieru003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e030a04373f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16277841/6376f3b002b2a6041887e80f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e030a043767"} /--> <!-- 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":629668,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sam Puddicombe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"McQuaid Jesuit","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"This is a young brute force of a OL/DT from McQuaid Jesuit High School that weighs in at 240-pounds and stands at in a height of 6'0”. When playing as a DT, Sam Puddicombe loves to plug up the middle of the offensive line. Being able to take up space in the A and B gaps would cause pure disruption. That disruption would clear an opportunity for one of Sam's teammates to get after the ball carrier. This is a player that has natural strength and size that made it so difficult for offensive linemen to move him off his spot. Sam rushes the passer with a lot of power, always trying to run over the man trying to block him.rnrnTurning to the offensive side of the football, Puddicombe has had playing experience at both OG and OT. When the ball is snapped, Sam brings a lot of power at defenders and will get them off their spot. Pass rushers who lacked elite speed would have a very challenging time trying to get through Puddicombe. Using his natural size truly gave him a huge advantage at the POA in the run game. In his pass pro, he does an incredible job at remaining balanced within his drop backs and staying within reach of defenders trying to create separation off his blocks.rnrnComing into the upcoming season, Puddicombe will be looking to earn as much play time as he possibly can by competing and being the best possible teammate there is. Sam has improved a lot in the weight room being able to deadlift 450 pounds, bench 235 pounds, and squat 425 pounds. As stated above, this is a young and strong player that has a lot of raw talent. More and more playing experience truly will allow him to keep improving.rnrnTwitter: @PuddicombesamrnrnInstagram: @rockstvr.sammyrnrnHudl Profile: u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16093105/Sam-Puddicombe/aboutu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/16093105/Sam-Puddicombe/aboutu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63db02d5c5869"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16093105/6175f47f160081065ccf1c8d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63db02d5c589f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->