AYF National Tournament: PRZNext All-Eye Test Team
Have you ever heard of the old football adage the “eye test?” No worries if not, but for our subscribers who are parents of middle school and youth football prospects, this maxim will begin to come into play as your…
Access all of Prep Redzone Next and Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingHave you ever heard of the old football adage the “eye test?” No worries if not, but for our subscribers who are parents of middle school and youth football prospects, this maxim will begin to come into play as your sons gets further into the recruiting process as upperclassmen. Basically, recruits are getting judged in a lot of different ways as college programs try to conscript their services – particularly at the D1 level – and one of the most direct and important ways this judgement occurs is by college coaches and staff getting an in-person, firsthand look at a kid to personally gauge the size and frame of a prospect. Big scholarship money does or does not get handed out depending on how the eye test goes, and being the biggest, baddest dude on the gridiron is a surefire way to gain the attention of college programs. Over my time in Kissimmee, FL for the AYF National Championship tournament in December I got eyes on the biggest, strongest, and most high school ready youth players I have ever seen, and below I’ll highlight these behemoths for our PrepRedzoneNEXT All-Eye Test Team. Before we start, I just want to make sure to mention that I was unable to watch the entire week of games, so I was unable to see every team of the tournament, so the below selections are limited to teams I watched over my 3 1/2 days in Kissimmee. However, I was still able to find some giants, so enjoy the below All-Eye Test squad and find out what some of these standouts do well on the gridiron!
OG Ducks
Jonathan Ioane – OT. 6’6, 315 lbs. C/o 2026.
Known as “Big Jon” by teammates and opponents alike, Ioane was one of the largest kids at the entire tournament and one of the many OG Ducks that look and play like high school football players. The big fella has a strong chance at continuing a long line of high profile high school prospects to come out of the Ducks program such as Drake Jackson (Centennial HS – USC), Bookie Radley-Hiles (IMG Academy – Oklahoma/Washington), Eli Ricks (IMG Academy – LSU/Alabama), Bryce Young (Meter Dei – Alabama), and many others, and showed noteworthy technique and strength in both the run game as well as in pass pro.
Lex Mailangi – DT. 6’3, 300 lbs. C/o 2026. @big_lex99
Big #99 for the Ducks was a massive 8th grade DT who could play head-up on the OC or slide over to the 3T and had dominating strength at the point of attack and also a considerable about of nimbleness and wiggle for a young buck at his height and weight. He’s definitely an athletic big man who already possesses a strong work ethic and has the chance to really turn into a monster once he gets older and spends some time in a high school strength & conditioning program.
Shaun Scott – DE. 6’3, 210 lbs. C/o 2026. @_shaunscott_
On a team stacked with high profile talent the Ducks’ DE Shaun Scott is one of the most hyped prospects and lives up to it with his play on the field. He’s also a long, lean, and ripped 6’3, 210 lbs. with a lot more room to grow and fill in. Whether he lines up with his hand in the dirt, as a standup pass rusher, or even off ball as an OLB, this kid is explosive and can get after the QB. He’s also a great athlete with natural bend, flexibility, and quickness, and will most likely attend a nationally ranked California powerhouse of a high school and soon show up on P5 radars before he knows it. He was one of the most varsity ready players I saw in my time in Kissimmee.
Eastside Cowboys
Jevon Jones – OT/DL. 6’4, 250 lbs. C/o 2026.
The Detroit-based Eastside Cowboys had future high school studs across the board at just about every position on the football field. Two of their best players also happened to be their biggest, the first of what being the 6’4, 250 lb. Jevon Jones. He was a lean 250 with long arms, big feet, and wide shoulders, and is surely not done growing by any stretch of the imagination. He was a brick wall of an offensive tackle who used his length and natural strength to stonewall defensive lineman, and was a disruptive DT/DE who could overwhelm opposing lineman with his physical gifts and motor. He was also tough, focused, and had a good attitude on and off the field.
Jevon Jones – Eastside Cowboys
Jshawn Kennedy – OT/DL. 6’4, 260 lbs. C/o 2026.
The second XL Eastside Cowboy prospect possessed a similar build and attitude to his massive counterpart Jones with more strength and heavier hands. Jshawn Kennedy displayed length, aggression, and was always looking to finish whether he was playing OT or along the DL. He was a beast for opposing double teams to try and corral and could envelop ball carriers when he got a hold of them. I’d want these two walking off the bus first if I was their coach!
Jshawn Kennedy – Eastside Cowboys
So Cal Trojans
Joseph Lopez – OT. 6’5, 315 lbs. C/o 2026.
Southern California is a breeding ground for youth football talent and the So Cal Trojans had a couple noteworthy big boys in the trenches, the first of which being their massive OT Joseph Lopez. The biggest dude on the field, Lopez was effective in both run blocking and pass pro and could dominate when he was able to get his hands on the chest plate of opponents and try to drive them into oblivion. He’s still developing and getting comfortable with his body, but could definitely bend and move laterally at his height and weight. He’ll see a varsity football field sooner rather than later.
Joseph Lopez – So Cal Trojans
Kellan Kirkpatrick – DL/OG. 6′, 315 lbs. C/o 2026. IG: bigkellandaniel
With long blond hair and a relentless motor in the trenches, Kirkpatrick was hard to miss when watching the So Cal Trojans and has a bright future on the interior DL or OL in high school. I got to meet his pops – who was a big guy – so Kellan is not done growing, and for a 300+ lb. 2026er he could get out of his stance and start and stop well, which helped him in his never-ending pursuit of the football when on defense. He was a bull at the point of contact and could move and dictate where opponents went with ease. He also kept his hands active, and when he laid them on ya you could hear it and see the impact it had on opposing players. I think he’s got DL written all over him but we’ll see what happens the next four years.
Kellan Kirkpatrick – So Cal Trojans
Long Branch Jersey Waves
Miguel Maldonado – ATH. 6′, 260 lbs. C/o 2026.
The biggest, baddest player on the 14U Long Branch Jersey Waves, Maldonado was twitchy and active from his DL spot for a 260 lber. and even got reps as a XL RB for his offense. He had quick, nimble feet that could generate power when he sticks his foot in the ground and was a very hard to contain for opposing offensive lineman. He also displayed an explosive first step off the snap and a natural ability to make the play when in position. I also liked his calm demeanor and determination on the field, and he was a strong, tough Jersey kid with a lot of high school football snaps ahead of him.
Miguel Maldonado – Long Branch Jersey Waves
Glen Lea Lions
Jaysean Richardson – DL/ATH. 6′, 260 lbs. C/o 2027
One of the more athletic big guys from the 13U bracket I got to see at the AYF National Tournament, Richardson showed good lateral agility and quickness and required double and triple teams from opposing OL and was an excellent tackler who could pursue and finish all around the gridiron. He played with a low pad level, and I liked his twitchiness and the general speed of his game and I’ll be interested to see if he remains the biggest dude on the field the next couple of years.
Jaysean Richardson – Glen Lea Sea Lions
Motor City Jaguars
Khalief Canty – DL. 6’3, 280 lbs. C/o 2027
Impressive DL prospect out the 13U division who was stronger and more powerful than just about every opposing lineman he went up against. Had solid hand placement and good drive and generally relied on his overwhelming strength to win in run and pass defense. Heavy initial punch that froze blockers and noticeably knocked them backwards.
Khalief Canty – Motor City Jaguars
JaQuan Stennis – WR/LB. 6’6, 170 lbs. C/o 2027
One of the tallest prospects I saw at the AYF National Tournament regardless of age, Stennis has a ridiculous amount of room to fill in and used his size to his advantage when the ball was in the air. Big feet, huge hands, and solid coordination made him a legitimate threat in the pass game and a nightmare of a 1-on-1 assignment for DBs. Good hops as well.
JaQuan Stennis – Motor City Jaguars
Miami Gardens Ravens
Jakai “Dread” Barthell – DL. 6’3, 260 lbs. C/o 2027
Representing Dade County, Barthell was the biggest young buck on his talented Miami Gardens squad and put that size and strength to good use in the run game as he completely clogged the interior of the defensive line and could not be stopped by a single blocker on any snap of the ball game. Also was a nasty tackler when he got ahold of a ball carrier and was not shy about putting a RB or QB into the ground with authority.
Dread Barthell – Miami Gardens
San Diego Bolts
Bronx Letulig____ – LB. 6’2, 220 lbs. C/o 2027. IG: br0.nx
Unfortunately, one of the caveats of scouting in the youth football space is the lack of available information and film, and I sadly could not get the entirety of this San Diego Bolts 13U beast last name. It was one of the longer Polynesian last names I’ve ever seen, and the game I was watching him ended very suddenly so I was not able to write down the full last name of the massive Bolts DE/OLB. However, I was able to find his Instagram handle so at least there is a way to check out the young man if you’re a coach or simply interested in future football stars. Bronx was huge and was built like a varsity LB, and played like it too. As a standup edge defender he had a great get-off and first step that really helped him remain disruptive as a pass rusher and active in holding the edge for the defense. He was also a strong tackler and physical when taking on blocks. Loved loved loved his size as well.
Bronx – San Diego Bolts
Ezaya Tokio – LB. 6’4, 170 lbs. C/o 2027.
I already wrote about Tokio in my earlier PrepRedzoneNEXT feature highlighting my favorite 15 prospects I saw in Kissimmee, and the 6’4 LB whose flow and playing style were reminiscent of Troy Polamalu had to make this list thanks to great height, frame, and physical playing style. A fearless LB who could go sideline-to-sideline, cover RBs and WRs out of the slot, and get after the QB. He was all over the field, rarely missed a tackle, and was the leader of the defense. He was fun to watch and then some.
Ezaya Tokio – San Diego Bolts
Osceola Kowboys
Marcus Ferren – OT/DL. 6’5, 300 lbs. C/o 2026.
A brickhouse of a 2026 OT playing for an impressive Osceola Kowboys squad in the 14U bracket, Ferren was strong at the point of attack and had a solid pass set to go along with an already developed body for his age. His strength was noticeable in both his lower and upper body as he could move bodies when he got his legs going and was able to pop defensive lineman backwards when he extended his arms after the punch. Really high ceiling for the young buck.
Marcus Ferren – Osceola Kowboys
Ben Bankowitz – DL. 6’2, 215 lbs. C/o 2026
#99 was a productive defensive lineman who kept his hands active and his feet pumping through contact. Able to eat blocks in the run game to free up LBs and play multiple positions along the DL as well as on the interior of the offensive line.
Ben Bankowitz – Osceola Kowboys
South Philly Sharks
Mason Smith – DE/QB. 6’4, 195 lbs. C/o 2026
A long, lean 195 lbs., Smith was all over the field offensively and defensively for the South Philly Sharks and was able to take over a drive or series singlehandedly due to sheer size and athletic ability. He could ragdoll ball carriers when he’d get ahold of them on the edge and defeat blocking attempts with ease. He also had a cannon attached to his shoulder and get the ball downfield with a flick of the wrist. He also used his length to his advantage as he could long arm OL attempts at blocking them as well as stiff arm and slip through tackle attempts. Smith is a fun one to watch.
South Philly Sharks
Wichita Cowboys
Kamarion Bodney – HB. 6’2, 190 lbs. C/o 2027
A gritty, tough, and physical TE/HB who could get the dirty work done in the trenches as well as impact the passing game with the ball in his hands. His size, frame, and play style all make him the easiest player to spot on the Wichita Cowboys 13U squad, and he can wear down a defense over the course of four quarters and help move the chains in any way asked of him.
Illinois Vikings
Lamont Miller – DL/OL. 6’5, 230 lbs. C/o 2026
Didn’t get a ton of time to check out the big Chicago lineman, but he absolutely passed the eye test and will be able to hold a ton more weight as he enters the high school ranks.
Powerhouse 540 Hawks
Elijah Hutcheson – DL/TE. 6’5, 245 lbs. C/o 2028
The biggest 12U player I saw during the AYF Tournament, Hutcheson could move for his age and size and was a scary ball carrier who looked like a load and a half for opposing defenses to tackle. Looked and played like a prospect much older than he is.
Elijah Hutcheson – 540 Hawks
Cocoa Tigers
Jae’von White – OT/DE. 6’7, 180 lbs. C/o 2026
A legit 6’7 with some giant feet and long arms. White can keep multiple defenders at bay when playing on the OL and can locate the ball well as a DE when he punches blockers off the snap.
Jae’von White – Cocoa Tigers
Amir Parker – DE/TE. 6’4, 220 lbs. C/o 2026
One of the best overall prospects I saw during my time at AYF with a frame and the strength to start contributing to the varsity gridiron sooner rather than later. Dynamic, versatile, and really got after the QB with a relentless motor and physical edge. Strongest kid on the field as well.
Amir Parker – Cocoa Tigers
Tucson Jaguars
Noah Banhie – DT. 5’11, 265 lbs. C/o 2026
A dominant and talented defensive tackle prospect who could play two gaps in the run game and had legit pass rushing ability from the interior DL. Clutch, physical, and uses leverage, a low pad level, and his hands very well.
Noah Banhie – Tuscon Jaguars
Tharran Koran – DL/ATH. 5’10, 270 lbs. C/o 2026
Brought a lot of versatility to the 14U Tuscon Jaguars and had quick feet for a big boy that helped him remain upright and balanced through contact when attacking blocks, blocking, or sometimes with the ball in his hands.
Springfield Tigers
Joaxis Medina – DL/OL. 6’1, 280 lbs. C/o 2027
Required a constant double and sometimes triple team from opposing offensive lines and could beat blocks with heavy hands and a productive arm-over that he used efficiently.
Southside Wolfpack
Braden Jones – DL/OL. 6’6, 260 lbs. C/o 2027
An absolute giant. I probably am spelling “Braden” wrong but boy was this kid a massive 2027 out of Chicago.
Jayvon Anderson – LB. 6’2, 185 lbs. C/o 2027
Really intriguing frame that was long and explosive and could cover a ton of ground sideline-to-sideline from the LB position. Also brought his hips and feet through contact and was a violent tackler with a ton of room to add strength and mass in the coming years.