Players Expected To have Breakout Seasons
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It’s not uncommon to see players be left outside the national spotlight in Canadian football. Sometimes players are just not at a large enough school or their club teams are not as competitive. In today’s article we’re going to take…
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Continue ReadingIt’s not uncommon to see players be left outside the national spotlight in Canadian football. Sometimes players are just not at a large enough school or their club teams are not as competitive. In today’s article we’re going to take a look at some recruits I expect to have a massive breakout season for the upcoming 2023-2024 year.
Cochrane, Alberta’s Jesse Groot Jesse Groot 5’11” | 205 lbs | LB Cochrane | 2024 State CAD is one of my favourite players I’ve had the opportunity to scout. At 5’11, 195-pounds Groot can make plays all over the field. On tape you often see him lined up inside at the middle linebacker position. He’s much more suited to be an OLB at the next level though, as he has great speed and an ability to stay with the ball carrier when they get outside the box. Groot is one of the more violent tacklers you’re going to see on film and has solid enough instincts to put himself in the right spots to make plays. As a class of 2024 product I expect Groot to have a major breakout year as he continues to represent Team Alberta at the national level.
Highlights
Ben Kurbegovic Ben Kurbegovic WR Wilfrid Laurier | 2024 State CAD
Ben Kurbegovic Ben Kurbegovic WR Wilfrid Laurier | 2024 State CAD
It’s funny to be mentioning Ben Kurbegovic Ben Kurbegovic WR Wilfrid Laurier | 2024 State CAD as a player to watch for a breakout year as he’s coming off a junior campaign that saw him tally close to 1500 all purpose yards. However, he is set to have a monster year at Sir Wilfrid Laurier, London. Kurbegovic is an excellent WR but is an ATH in every sense of the meaning. Just to put it in perspective he had over 400+ return yards in his 2023 season alone. At 5’11, 190-pounds he’s the best returner I’ve seen on film scouting Canada and is right there with some of the best receivers. With soft hands, and an elite burst of acceleration, Kurbegovic is explosive and dangerous whenever he’s on the field.
Ryan Hassett
Ryan Hassett
Ryan Hassett is a name Canadian’s are 100% going to hear more of in the upcoming year. A class of 2026 monster MLB at 6’3, 220-pounds you’re talking about a future high four star possibly five star player. The Calgary native will be playing next season at Clearwater Academy in Florida. As the most vicious and physically ready players I’ve seen for the class of 2026 Hassett is poised for a breakout year down south. Hassett is a player who really likes to be engaged to the play all game. He’s typically never sitting on his heals waiting to make plays, rather he’s going down field, shedding blocks and even bull rushing guards inside to make a play. Hassett has very surprising speed and would likely be clocked in the 4.6-4.7 range which is very fast for a sophomore MLB. I think Hassett is poised for a breakout year down south but will look to see how his technical movements develop. He doesn’t show a ton of dip and rip movements or inside out work as the bull rush and smooth movements seem to be his bread and butter.
Keylan Syam Keylan Syam 5’8″ | 205 lbs | RB College Charles-Lemoyne | 2025 TN is a prospect I expect to break out nationally probably more than anyone. Syam is a class of 2025 RB who had to sit behind a loaded running back room at the highly regarded College Charles-Lemoyne in Sainte-Catherine, Quebec. Often times sitting in a room that’s filled with studs means it can be harder to put a good amount of work on tape. That’s not the case with Syam, he still managed to put together almost 1200 yards rushing alongside 15 TD’s while getting a little less than 40% of the teams carries all season. Known for his physicality at 5’9, 205 pounds Syam plays really well inside the tackles and has elite vision. I love his ability to cut tightly and limit his excess movment. This is a future No.1 RB in the country make no mistake about it.
Fast, elusive, gritty, gamer, are all the ways I would describe St. Albert, Alberta QB James Hill James Hill 5’11” | 170 lbs | QB Paul Kane | 2024 State CAD . Watching Hill’s tape it’s so hard not to think Texas A&M Johnny Manziel. Hill slides through the pocket with ease and is often put in situations that he has to make the most out of. With an inexperience offensive line last season, Hill was able to put his full mobility as a QB on display. However, I don’t even think that’s the most impressive trait. Hill has a very live arm and can make all the off platform throws you’d expect a mobile QB to make. Whether it’s moving with an open out route, or staying in the pocket to deliver a deep strike, Hill has the ability to stretch the field. With a strong arm I’d say Hill can deliver a consistent 55-65 yard deep ball with accuracy. The footwork on Hill is next level, but I suspect this upcoming season he will be able to sit back in the pocket with a more experienced O-Line and show of the arm talent. Regardless, Hill is someone I expect to breakout massively in the 2023-2024 season.