Spring Season Stock-Risers from Class 5A
The spring’s regular season is coming to an end, and the playoffs are right around the corner. One of the benefits of having a second season with a limited number of participating teams is the exposure for the majority of…
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Continue ReadingThe spring’s regular season is coming to an end, and the playoffs are right around the corner. One of the benefits of having a second season with a limited number of participating teams is the exposure for the majority of the players.
This allows more of the under-the-radar type of players to raise their stock, hopefully resulting in college looks and offers. This also means that there is potential for a college program to find a gem of a recruit that could become an asset for their team.
Below are the names of five players who have significantly raised their stock this year. Each one of these athletes is a must-know player who is worthy of being on a college roster.
Jayshawn Leyba | Denver South | 5’8”, 153lbs | 2021 ATH
Leyba is an absolute sleeper of a playmaker. The Denver South Ravens have used the spring season as an opportunity to show the state just how talented they are, and Leyba has not missed a chance to show up in the spotlight.
The shifty wide receiver has a total of 26 receptions for 243 yards and two touchdowns over the course of five games. As a defensive back, he has a knack for being able to read plays and use his speed to get to the ball. He has racked up 20 total tackles and five interceptions this season.
In the league championship game, Lyba had a stat line of nine catches for 83 yards, eight total tackles, and one interception for 30 yards. What never gets incorporated into the stats are the hustle plays, which he has been the embodiment of this entire season. Lyba is a baller whose motor never stops while there is still time on the clock.
Lyba puts in work with Colorado Wild during the offseason, a program that has helped to develop some of the state’s top D1 college players.
Gilbert Bujanda Gilbert Bujanda 6'1" | LB Westminster | 2021 State CO | Westminster | 6’3”, 215lbs | 2021 TE/DE
Bujanda is a big and physical player with a competitive nature. He is an aggressive player regardless of the side of the ball he is on. He is a strong dominating blocker in the run game and a ground-covering route runner with good hands and ball tracking abilities, making him the top passing target for his team.
Throughout the course of the spring season, Bujanda has recorded 11 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns as a tight end, as well as seven pancake blocks. Defensively, he has managed to rack up 35 total tackles, five sacks, six quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a field goal block. Needless to say, Bujanda has been nothing less than impressive.
Bujanda attends Six Zero Football Academy to sharpen his skill set with hopes of becoming another Dungeon Family prospect to reach elite heights.
Yohannes Antonio | Denver South | 5’8”, 150lbs | 2021 DB
Antonio is an under-the-radar athlete with a physical playing style and very high ceiling. The league championship contest was only his second game of the season, but the impact he made was absolutely phenomenal. In the final quarter of the game with his team up by four points, Antonio broke perfectly on his receiver’s route and took the interception 45 yards to the house.
Over the course of just two games, he has accounted for nine total tackles and that one interception. During the offseason, Antonio spent his time perfecting his craft by training at Performance Empire alongside some very talented athletes. Now that his team is sitting on top of the rankings, expect to see Antonio stock rapidly increase.
Max Jones Max Jones 5'9" | RB Fort Collins | 2022 State CO | Fort Collins | 6’0”, 180lbs | 2022 RB/DB
Jones has had a very impressive season so far. This athletic player would be a great change of pace back with three-down potential at the next level.
Over the course of four games, Jones has accumulated a total of 361 yards and three touchdowns on 43 carries. He also has three receptions for 21 yards, showing that he can be an option in the passing game as well.
Declan Culberson | Boulder | 2022 RB
Culberson is a tough running back who can power through tackles and turn on the jets in open space. He is a one-cut-and-go type of runner with good size and vision needed for becoming a true three-down back.
During his junior campaign so far, Culberson has racked up 304 yards and five touchdowns on 56 carries. During his most recent game, he finished with 164 yards and four touchdowns. Culberson is starting to emerge onto the scene, making him a prime candidate for early attention.