Fortes stands out as a polished route-runner with the athleticism to create separation and make plays in space, making him a intriguing prospect with upside for higher levels if he continues developing. Key positives from the tournament. Once the ball is in his hands, he’s quick to transition upfield, using his agility to evade the first tackler and turn short passes into explosive plays. His elusiveness after the catch adds a dynamic element, reminiscent of slot receivers who rack up hidden yardage. His quick feet and fast first step allow him to explode off the line, consistently beating press coverage. He gets a clean release against defensive backs, using subtle shoulder fakes and speed to avoid jams at the line of scrimmage. This trait was evident in multiple reps where he turned short slants into chunk gains.

Fortes runs sharp, crisp routes with good stem work and breaks that keep defenders off-balance. He showed excellent body control on curls, digs, and posts, maintaining speed through transitions without rounding off cuts. This reliability makes him a quarterback’s best friend in timing-based offenses. Equipped with soft, natural hands, he plucks the ball away from his body and secures it through contact. Fortes excelled at making tough catches in traffic, high-pointing contested balls and absorbing hits without losing possession. In crowded red-zone situations during the tournament, he came down with several grabs that lesser receivers would drop.

Aiden has fast feet and can change directions quickly. He is physical at the line and can covers receivers of any size. He does a good job of attacking the ball in the air, and bring some pop when tackling. He is one of the best defenders on a very good team and has a lot to show so far this season.

Aiden is one half of a brother duo who did damage this past weekend for BehindThePads. Aiden can get open over the middle of the field for big plays. He had a couple of plays where he had to lay out for a ball, which he did. He does a good job at being able to contort his body to make tough grabs.