AYF National Tournament: PRzNext’s Top DB and WR Performers
I’m continuing to roll on with my AYF National Tournament coverage and our PrepRedzoneNEXT positional standouts by highlighting the top defensive back and wide receiver prospects I got my eyes on while scouting talent in Kissimmee this past December. As a reminder, I only…
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Continue ReadingI’m continuing to roll on with my AYF National Tournament coverage and our PrepRedzoneNEXT positional standouts by highlighting the top defensive back and wide receiver prospects I got my eyes on while scouting talent in Kissimmee this past December. As a reminder, I only got to evaluate recruits for three days of the over week long tourney in Central Florida so I was not able to check out every single team from the ’26, ’27, and ’28 age brackets. However, I was still able to find some really exciting future high school football stars across the three middle school graduating classes and stretching from every corner of the United States of America. From the urban sprawls of L.A., Miami, and Chicago, to the deserts of Arizona and the forests of New Hampshire, get to know these 16 top DB and WR performers from the AYF Championships. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.
Defensive Backs
Davon Benjamin Jr. (OG Ducks) FS/CB. C/o 2026. 6’, 155 lbs. @dee5starr
Mr. Benjamin Jr. of the acclaimed OG Ducks was the most impressive and promising defensive back I saw in my time at the Austin-Tindall Sports Complex in Kissimmee. A tall, long, and wiry prospect, Benjamin Jr. also one of the best single-game performances I saw between the 15+ games I watched in my three days of scouting. Against rival Vegas Strong, the 6’ DB picked off two passes and nearly returned one for a TD in a strong display of speed, range, and ball skills. He could cover a ton of ground from his FS spot but also had the hips and quickness to excel in man coverage and cover out of the slot or possibly on the outside as a CB. He was all over the field, showed good instincts, and was quick out of his breaks, and was the total package for a safety and an overall explosive athlete who looked like the best player on the loaded OG Ducks roster on that afternoon in Kissimmee. If I was a betting man I’d put some money on the chance of Bemjamin Jr. becoming yet another OG Ducks 4 or 5-star defensive back.
Daniel Odom (OG Ducks) CB. C/o 2026. 6’2, 180 lbs. @dthagreat3
Another Southern California skill-player with a bright future on the defensive side of the football, Odom had some of the longest arms I saw at the tourney and already possesses fantastic size for the CB position. While battling some talented Vegas Strong receivers the 2026er showed off some patience and physicality at the LOS in his jam and did a good job of not opening the gate and opening his hips to allow wideouts an easy release off the line. He also had good speed at the top end and got reps at receiver during the game to highlight his athleticism and versatility.
Colin Salkovitz (New Hampshire) Safety. C/o 2028.
The youngest prospect to make my list of DB and WR standouts, Salkovitz caught my attention while I was peering over to his game on another field, and the 2028 ballhawk made a bunch of splash plays from the defensive backfield and did a good job of reading the QB’s eyes and tracking the football once it was in the air. I didn’t get to ask him his size or weight, but he was one of the bigger players on the field and looks like he’ll continue to fill in as he progresses through middle school. A gamechanger at the safety position really helped his New Hampshire squad pull away against King/PAC20 and get a big deep in the 12U bracket.
Kyri Watson (Osceola Kowboys) CB. C/o 2026.
A classic example of raw speed and athleticism from the fertile recruiting grounds of Central Florida, Watson was a lockdown corner in the upper echelons of the 14U All-American division and was physical and sticky at every point of his opposing WRs route. He was naturally quick out of his breaks, was great in his hand usage both at the LOS as well as when he made a play on the ball, and had outrageous speed that stood out on the gridiron in many facets of his game. He could lockdown a side of the field and/or a team’s best WR and made it look easy.
Kyri Watson – Osceola Kowboys
Aldarius Johnson Jr. (Miami Gardens Ravens) Safety. C/o 2027. @AldariusJr
A physical presence from the defensive backfield who caught my eye thanks to a couple of violent body slams where the 13U safety wrapped up, picked up, and put a couple of opposing ballcarriers into the dirt with force and showmanship like he was in the WWE. Another prospect who displays an intriguing frame with the chance to really fill in at the high school level, Johnson Jr. was strong at tracking the ball in run support, kept good leverage on the football, and was also physical in pass coverage. Can never underestimate Dade County skill players as well.
Aldarius Johnson – Miami Gardens
Walter Johnson (Southside Wolfpack) Safety/CB. C/o 2027
A 773 standout playing on the most physically imposing 13U squad I saw at the AYF National Tournament, Johnson is a future Chicago Catholic League playmaker who recorded two picks from his safety position to completely axe the passing attack of the Wichita Cowboys in their 13U All-Star matchup. Showed great instincts and an ability to drop his hips and break on the football once he identifies where the QB is throwing it to. He also had soft hands, had no problems coming up and laying a hit in the run game, and could high point the football when making a play on the ball. I’ll be keeping a close eye on Mr. Johnson as he inches closer to the prep football fields of the Land of Lincoln.
Jaiden Williams (Cocoa Tigers) C/o 2026.
Of all the DB prospects to make the list, I was most surprised by the unassuming, quiet, yet ultra-competitive CB playing on the outside of the Cocoa Tigers 14U squad. Matching up against an extremely athletic WR from the Eastside Cowboys who I had personally seen dominate a defensive secondary in a previous game, Williams was focused and physical and completely locked down the Cowboys best weapon for four quarters under a tremendous amount of action and pressure. There were at least half a dozen 1-on-1 passing attempts that Williams was in perfect position to defend, and his stickiness and determination arose the frustration in his opponents demeanor and body language. Williams had great speed to stay on top of deep routes, kept his body in a good position to make a play on the ball, and had the vertical ability to go up and play contested balls in the air. He played a fantastic game against great competition and had no problem rising to the occasion and the moment.
Jaiden Williams – Osceola Tigers
Christian Diaz (Tuscon Jaguars) CB. C/o 2026.
Balanced CB prospect who was proficient in both run and pass defense who was aggressive when defeating blocks, breaking up the football, and coming up to make a tackle. Could break up balls on both short and deep routes downfield. Proficient in both zone and man defense as well.
Ja’quan Pinkney (Marshall Heights Bison) CB. C/o 2026.
One of the most instinctual, physical, and technically sound CB who did a great job of reading the hips of opposing wideouts and cutting off his breaks quickly when reacting to their routes. Had loose hips and quick feet that allowed him to play aggressively knowing that he had the make up speed to correct mistakes and stay in a good position to play the football. Particularly aggressive at reading and destroying WR and RB screens.
Ja’quan Pinkney – Marshall Heights Bison
Charles Gray (Southside Wolfpack) Safety. C/o 2027.
Physically imposing, large, long, and could come up and lay some serious wood from the SS position. Came downhill like his hair was on fire and played with good angles in pursuit. Definite standout in the run game.
Wide Receivers
O’Kece Battle (Cocoa Tigers) C/o 2026.
One of the most slippery and elusive WRs I saw during my time scouting the AYF National Tournament came out of the Cocoa Tigers program and the shifty O’Kece Battle. He displayed vision, timing, balance, and an unreal amount of quickness while he danced, cut, and broke through defenders tackle attempts like a pig greased up in motor oil. He could turn a simple dump, screen, or slant into a splash play in the blink of an eye, and also had the speed to take advantage of missed assignments and gaping holes in opposing defenses. He also brought that shiftiness to his route running and was a natural at remaining untouched and uninhibited on the gridiron.
O’Kece Battle – Cocoa Tigers
Travis Jeffrey (Oceanside Warriors) C/o 2027.
A fluid route-runner and athlete who was deceptive when breaking his routes off and was able to consistently gain separation at the top of the route. Also impressive at making catches in traffic and also had a notable vertical ability that could get up and high point the football through contact. Fearless, athletic, and tough.
Cecil Punter Cecil Punter WR FL (Osceola Kowboys) C/o 2026. @TrePunter
I am a big fan of Mr. Punter and think he was one of the best route-runners at the AYF Nationals who would work back to the football and drop his hips with noteworthy ease. Could run a wide variety of routes well and had some strong, soft hands. Also a willing and capable blocker.
Cecil Punter Cecil Punter WR FL – Osceola Kowboys
Carson Clark (OG Ducks) C/o 2026. IG: carsonclarkmalibu
Particularly impressive at catching passes over the middle and through contact. Long, ripped frame with an impressive one-cut ability in the open field and the length to slip through weaker tackle attempts on his lower body. Has the vertical game to play the X receiver and take the top of the defense but also possesses the elusiveness and strength to improvise gains on simple WR rocket screens. Balanced skillset with explosive ability and a bright future for the OG Ducks wideout.
#6 Vegas Strong
Despite my hard work searching through middle school Instagram accounts to try and find his name, I unfortunately could not locate a first or last name for the impressive 14U Vegas Strong wideout. Against a loaded OG Ducks defensive backfield #6 was one of the few Vegas Strong players to show up and compete, as he was excellent at cutting his routes off and made some impressive catches through big hits from the talent-ridden safeties and corners of the Ducks. The kid is a baller and I will keep searching for his name as I am able.
Elijah Hardy (Miami Gardens Ravens) C/o 2027.
Effective at executing fades, posts, and downfield routes who could track and get under the football thanks to some noteworthy body control. Also possessed good speed.
Elijah Hardy – Miami Gardens