New Stock Risers in Upstate NY
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That is right. It is time for more stock risers in the upstate NY region that are looking to put on a show for their high school football teams this coming season. These young men all play a variety of…
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Continue ReadingThat is right. It is time for more stock risers in the upstate NY region that are looking to put on a show for their high school football teams this coming season. These young men all play a variety of positions and are hoping to get noticed by more college programs to play football at the next level.
Conner Bellanca Conner Bellanca TE Hilton | 2024 NY
Conner Bellanca Conner Bellanca TE Hilton | 2024 NY
One of my favorite players that I have watched on film this off-season is this 6’3” DE named Conner Bellanca Conner Bellanca TE Hilton | 2024 NY out of Hilton High School. Conner weighs in at 230-pounds, but his ability to fly around and make big time tackles stood out. When engaging his blocks, Bellanca’s contact balance and bend around the corner allowed him to be such an effective rusher for this Hilton defense.
The arsenal of pass rush moves including a rip, inside swim, and straight bull rush showed up on Ballancas tape. Being able to put tremendous pressure on the QB and even making plays resulting in sacks was present for Conner. Even against the run game, Ballanca was getting into the backfield having TFLs. I was amazed by John ability to shoot gaps at such a fast rate. Opponents had a tough time withstanding the power that Conner possessed. John has quick hands and knows how to use leverage to his advantage.
Besides the DE position, Conner also has playing experience at TE, but his best work did come on the defensive line. Being able to rush from a 5 or 4 technique on both sides of the line showed flexibility within Ballanca’s game. Last year Ballanca and his teammates won the Section V Class A1 title and their goal this year is to repeat, and I cannot wait to see if they can do so!
Twitter: @connerbellanca1
Instagram: @conner.bellanca
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15816756/Conner-Bellancarn
Such an extraordinary football player here with Nazhier Wilson Nazhier Wilson 6’0″ | 220 lbs | LB Monroe | 2024 State NY from Monroe High School. Wilson is a 6’0”, 230-pound RB and LB that made so many plays on tape. When it comes to the upcoming season, Wilson wants to lead Section V in tackles, rushing yards, win defensive player of the year, win states, and finally help his teammates maintain a steady work ethic within by being a leader.
At the RB position, Wilson was able to outrun defenses multiple times. Being able to find a hole/lane to break through for a large amount of yard volume was consistent. This is a big RB that does not shy away from contact and will lower his shoulder for extra yards. The sudden burst coming into the handoffs and even using jump cuts allowed Nazhier to gain those advantages against defenders in open space. There is a great-mixed volume of quickness and physicality when rushing with the football.
Turning to the LB position, Nazhier really showed us how physical of a football player he really is. The speed to get behind the LOS to blow up a play was incredible to see. Throughout the tape that Nazhier produced at LB, he was able to make plenty of TFLs. Wilson is an LB that plays at a high level, and attacks with full intensity. Reading and reacting is a valuable piece that this young player has. I certainly will not be shocked if Wilson in fact wins defensive player of the year with another high-level performance this season.
Twitter: @nazhier_wilson
Instagram: @Wilsonnazhier
Hudl Profile: http://www.hudl.com/profile/15992856
Jordan Wickham Jordan Wickham NY
Jordan Wickham Jordan Wickham NY
The young Jordan Wickham Jordan Wickham NY is an incoming full varsity sophomore on the offensive and defensive lines for Brockport High School. Wickhams did have a couple of snaps his freshman year on varsity but is now looking to secure his spot full time on varsity this season. Jordan weighs in at 290-pounds and on the offensive line he mans the RT spot. When it comes to the defensive side, Wickhams filled in nicely as a run stopper but could get after the passer every once in a while.
The brute power and strength was the biggest standout for Wickhams when playing RT. On one play, Jordan pulled to the opposite B-gap and was able to level a defender to complete the seal. Making the alley clean when Wickham was sent on pulls was a huge benefactor for successful sweeps or pulls in the run game. The drive to want to pancake defenders is clear for Wickham. Even in his pass sets, Jordan was like a brick wall where pass rushers would be stumped trying to get by him.
Besides the goal of making, its on varsity, Wickham has two goals which are to win as many games as possible and to end up playing in a sectional game. Jordan spoke about how he has put a lot of work in the weight room so to see how this young man has improved will be surely intriguing.
Twitter: @5star_jordann
Instagram: @5star_jordann
John Dibattisto
John Dibattisto
This is a stout and strong football player named John Dibattisto from Hilton High School that will be entering his junior season. John plays the LB and RB position for Hilton but also put up some impressive numbers up in the weight room. John can bench press 315-pounds, squat 445-pounds, deadlift 505-pounds, broad jumps 104 inches, and can run a 4.7 40-yard dash. In the classroom, John also posted a 3.7 GPA.
At the RB position, Dibattisto is a violent runner and will rely heavily on his physicality at the point of attack. What I really loved was Dibattisto’s play at the LB spot for Hilton. John was flying all around the football field, shedding through blocks, and making TFLs against the run. The vision to target, diagnose, and attack with an endless amount of speed was a huge stable of John’s game.
What is such a big action is the will and want to win on each down for his team was shown throughout John’s film. The fluidity to move with quickness and taking such great pursuit angles is what granted Dibattisto so much lift at the point of attack. For the upcoming season, Dibattisto wants to make First Team All-County to give himself a chance to play football at the next level. A very fun LB to watch here with John Dibattisto.
Twitter: @jjdiabttisto35
Instagram: @jj_debo35
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15686111/John-Dibattisto
This is one of the quickest football players at the high school level that I have seen. The ability to change directions to make plays on both of the offensive and defensive side of the football was incredible to see for this young man named Robert Lowry Robert Lowry ATH Hilton | 2024 State NY . #12 will be entering his senior season at Hilton High School that plays at the WR, RB, and CB positions.
Focusing on the offensive side of the football truly showed the foot speed and quickness that Lowry has. When operating at the RB spot, the explosiveness breaking into the hole was shown at a high rate. Being able to shake or put the slightest move on a defender would grant Lowry more yards after contact. So many times, Robert would outrun the entire defense for a house call which explains the 15 total touchdowns on the year. At the WR position, Lowry was used at a tremendous amount in the slot and was able to make a lot of YAC on quick WR screens. Robert truly is a treasure piece for this Hilton offense to use.
When operating at the CB position, Lowry was surprisingly physical even at his 5’6”, 165-pound frame. Being able to stick with WRs and attack the football poses little to no threat at all to Lowry. What I may love the most about Robert is his confidence. Lowry spoke about how if he is given the chance at the D1 level, that he truly believes his abilities can translate over, he can keep improving, and the will to dominate is there. Lighting in a bottle here with this electric player from Hilton.
Twitter: @RobertFlash_4
Instagram: @robert_flash4
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18444689/Robert-Lowry
Highlights
A very patient secondary player here from East High School named Mazie Riley Mazie Riley 5’10” | 165 lbs | DB East | 2024 State NY . In addition to the CB position, Riley is also a WR that stands in at 5’10” and will be entering into his senior season for East. Mazie spoke to me about how this upcoming season he has goals to make 1st-Team AGR, win the Class A Section Championship, and improve his overall game. Riley stated that last year he fell short of these goals but this year the outcome will be different.
Flipping to Riley’s play at the CB spot, I was impressed by his ability to stay patient in his drops. Mazie had a strong ability to read WRs routes when they entered the breaking point. There were not many times when Mazie would get fooled or beat. Being able to backdrop or side shuffle with quality quickness really made the difference for Mazie when closing the gaps on routes. There were a few outstanding plays where Riley was able to make a clean breakup on a quick ball thrown his way.
Being physical off the LOS was present in Riley’s game as well. Using his hands to give him an advantage to stick within a target was a deciding factor in winning battles with receivers. #10 will be a fun senior CB to see play in 2024.
Twitter: @MazieRiley0
Instagram: @MazieForPresident
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15686375/638267b9da511d0b60c26990
Marquan Grimes
Marquan Grimes
Marquan Grimes out of Edison Tech High School asked me to do a report on him as a defensive back. After doing a report on Grimes from his WR position a couple weeks ago, Marquan sent me some more tapes to watch at the CB spot. As stated in my other report about Grimes, making AGR, All-State, and earning a scholarship to play college football are three goals that he is aiming to accomplish by the end of his high school career.
When executing at the CB position, what stood out the most for Grimes was his ability to stay patient, and then attack with a great amount of burst. The closing speed to break up an intended pass and to get physical with the receiver was shown at great lengths. Even when Marquan would get beat intentionally, he has the closing speed to close the gap on deep balls.
At the CB position, it’s key to be quick and having quick feet really helps when mirroring a receiver’s route. For Marquan the ability to mirror the receivers would flash from time to time. Once again, Grimes is a versatile football player that will be on a lot of teams’ radars this season.
Twitter: @MarquanGrimes4
Instagram: @certified.quan4
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18413441/Marquan-Grimes