Empire State 2025’s to Watch
Jake Lemming
In this article:
Don't sleep on the young guns! Today's piece centers around some of the top rising sophomores in the state of New York. A lot of these prospects are still growing into their bodies but have already made a big impression on tape. Keep an eye on them this spring and expect them to make an even bigger impact next fall. Here's who to watch for!
WR: Jayden Simpson, 5'10", 155, Holy Trinity A dynamic receiver out of the slot who will catch the football immediately get vertical and look to make defenders miss. Simpson displayed superb vision, spotting small cutbacks lanes and accelerating through them at a rapid pace. He's a potent target in the red area who can catch the football and make something happen on quick game concepts. ATH: C.J. Robinson, 5'10", 170, Aquinas Institute A deceptive return man who can lull you to sleep before bursting through a seam. As a running back, he's quite patient, letting his blocks set up in front of him before sticking his foot in the turf and making a violent cut on defenders. Robinson will lower his shoulder to close off runs and consistently finishes falling forward for extra yardage. RB: Richard Pachecho, 5'9", 170, Moore Catholic A strong runner inside the box who muscles his way through arm tackles. Pachecho can easily decelerate to cut it up and hit a hole with no wasted steps. He's a decisive runner on outside zone schemes who can quickly get to the perimeter if an edge isn't set. QB: Brayden Smith
Brayden
Smith
6'2" | 175 lbs | QB
CBA-Syracuse | 2025
State
NY
, 5’11", 150, Cicero-North Syracuse
Brayden is the only prospect listed on here who played at the JV level, but what he showed on tape made him more than deserving. He's a talented thrower on the move who will often work to his third read. He's quite elusive when forced to improvise and will keep his eyes downfield, looking for someone to throw to. Look for him to add size this off-season to help generate even more velocity behind his throws.
WR: Bryce Hinsdale, 5'10", 150, Panama
An impact guy on both sides of the football who even kicked for his squad. Bryce showed strong hands in traffic and the ability to contort his body to make catches out of awkward body positions. He's shown plenty of vertical leaping ability, climbing the ladder on multiple occasions, and will put his body on the line to make a play for his team.
WR: Rich Belin, 5'11", 180, Cardinal Hayes
A fearless wideout with terrific body control when the ball is in the air. Belin shows no issues against press coverage and can separate at the top of his route on the go-ball. He has enough speed to run under the deep ball and made multiple dazzling catches on all three levels.
DB:
Styhles McKenzie-Baker
Styhles
McKenzie-Baker
5'9" | 160 lbs | DB
Monroe | 2025
State
NY
, 5’8", 155, University Prep Charter for Young Men
A physical cornerback with quick footwork and a strong off-hand jam in press. On tape, he stays over the top in zone coverage and will fight with everything he has to come down with the 50/50 ball. Styhles is smooth operating out of a backpedal and uses tight breaks to jump short-intermediate passing concepts.
DB: Terron Johnson, 6', 160, Iona Prep
A fundamentally sound prospect that is more than willing to play 1 on 1 on the perimeter and has the speed to stay in phase. Johnson runs to the hip if beat downfield and will play through the target's hands. He's a more than willing tackler who comes to balance in space and fully wraps up opposing ball carriers.
Other Names to Know DL: Quante Gillians, 6'3", 225, Rochester Institute LB: Lucas Leone, 5'10", 190, Rochester Institute
WR: Jayden Simpson, 5'10", 155, Holy Trinity A dynamic receiver out of the slot who will catch the football immediately get vertical and look to make defenders miss. Simpson displayed superb vision, spotting small cutbacks lanes and accelerating through them at a rapid pace. He's a potent target in the red area who can catch the football and make something happen on quick game concepts. ATH: C.J. Robinson, 5'10", 170, Aquinas Institute A deceptive return man who can lull you to sleep before bursting through a seam. As a running back, he's quite patient, letting his blocks set up in front of him before sticking his foot in the turf and making a violent cut on defenders. Robinson will lower his shoulder to close off runs and consistently finishes falling forward for extra yardage. RB: Richard Pachecho, 5'9", 170, Moore Catholic A strong runner inside the box who muscles his way through arm tackles. Pachecho can easily decelerate to cut it up and hit a hole with no wasted steps. He's a decisive runner on outside zone schemes who can quickly get to the perimeter if an edge isn't set. QB: Brayden Smith
Brayden
Smith
6'2" | 175 lbs | QB
CBA-Syracuse | 2025
State
NY
, 5’11", 150, Cicero-North Syracuse
Brayden is the only prospect listed on here who played at the JV level, but what he showed on tape made him more than deserving. He's a talented thrower on the move who will often work to his third read. He's quite elusive when forced to improvise and will keep his eyes downfield, looking for someone to throw to. Look for him to add size this off-season to help generate even more velocity behind his throws.
WR: Bryce Hinsdale, 5'10", 150, Panama
An impact guy on both sides of the football who even kicked for his squad. Bryce showed strong hands in traffic and the ability to contort his body to make catches out of awkward body positions. He's shown plenty of vertical leaping ability, climbing the ladder on multiple occasions, and will put his body on the line to make a play for his team.
WR: Rich Belin, 5'11", 180, Cardinal Hayes
A fearless wideout with terrific body control when the ball is in the air. Belin shows no issues against press coverage and can separate at the top of his route on the go-ball. He has enough speed to run under the deep ball and made multiple dazzling catches on all three levels.
DB:
Styhles McKenzie-Baker
Styhles
McKenzie-Baker
5'9" | 160 lbs | DB
Monroe | 2025
State
NY
, 5’8", 155, University Prep Charter for Young Men
A physical cornerback with quick footwork and a strong off-hand jam in press. On tape, he stays over the top in zone coverage and will fight with everything he has to come down with the 50/50 ball. Styhles is smooth operating out of a backpedal and uses tight breaks to jump short-intermediate passing concepts.
DB: Terron Johnson, 6', 160, Iona Prep
A fundamentally sound prospect that is more than willing to play 1 on 1 on the perimeter and has the speed to stay in phase. Johnson runs to the hip if beat downfield and will play through the target's hands. He's a more than willing tackler who comes to balance in space and fully wraps up opposing ball carriers.
Other Names to Know DL: Quante Gillians, 6'3", 225, Rochester Institute LB: Lucas Leone, 5'10", 190, Rochester Institute
