Ranked Standouts Across Connecticutt, Stock Risers 9/23
In this article:
Dominic DeLuca NewE #60 TE #6 HEIGHT 6'7" POS TE CLASS 2023 View Profile Dominic DeLuca State: New England School: Greenwich Enjoying what I’m seeing out of Dominic DeLuca Dominic DeLuca 6’7″ | TE Greenwich | 2023 State NewE early…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingEnjoying what I’m seeing out of Dominic DeLuca Dominic DeLuca 6’7″ | TE Greenwich | 2023 State NewE early on in his senior year. We like him as a top ten tight end prospect, he’s already put together some solid at this position through three weeks. DeLuca has the body and understanding to be an impact blocker, either in-line or being moved off the ball to pull or lead block. DeLuca can also run a multitude of routes, acting as a threat to catch passes up the seams, in the flats, or up the sideline. To boot, DeLuca has put forth impressive tape at defensive end, a spot where he very well could have a future at the next level. Collegiate coaching staffs will have the luxury of molding this kid into whatever they please, he’s looking incredible on both sides of the ball through three weeks.
Thomas Dreibholz Thomas Dreibholz 6’3″ | QB Killingly | 2023 State NewE out of Killingly HS has certainly lived up to his ranking, possibly surpassing and outplaying said rank it if I’m being honest. Dreibholz has put together quality tapes thus far, showing off an “old-school” style of play behind center. Old school gives off a bad connotation at times, I mean this in the best of ways. Dreibholz displays the ability to win under center, sporting a real, seasoned dropback that is built from the ground up. Dreibholz is hardly the mobile quarterback, yet he can make subtle movements in the pocket to either buy time for himself or relocate to open up some passing lanes. Dreibholz flourishes in sets based on timing and rhythm, he should be helped by this if he wants to pursue ball at the next level. Dreibholz also provides solid kicking duties for the Killingly program. Fun player to watch.
Dreibholz’s teammate and Killingly workhorse, Soren Rief Soren Rief 5’11” | 220 lbs | ATH Canterbury School | 2024 State NewE has put on a show early on this year. This is to be expected, as we think highly of the junior running back/linebacker. Rief doesn’t have the entirety of his games on Hudl yet, so a proper evaluation will come at a later date, yet you can’t deny his prowess at running back when he’s scoring the way he is thus far. His tape against Montville was exceptional, showing off vision to find running lanes in and around the Montville defense. Then you see his stat line against NFA, 315 yards on the ground with four scores to boot. You can’t forget about his efforts on the other side of the ball either, his abilities at linebacker are what have us excited for the future.
Highlights
Lincoln Cardillo Lincoln Cardillo RB Southington | 2023 State NewE , listed as an athlete, would rerank as a running back after his first three tapes of the season. He’d rank higher on that list as well. Cardillo, who’s built like a rock, has been churning up yards all year. The young man runs with authority and is known for how he finishes runs, yet the tape shows he’s got some evasion in his game. More impressive is his home-run hitting ability, the Southington senior can take runs to the house once he hits the second level. Where Cardillo adds value is in pass-protection and as a pass-catcher. Cardillo has the body and understanding to be a protector at the line of scrimmage, as well as the hands to play a factor in the screen game. Good overall field awareness from this kid.
Highlights
Thought I would show some love to a tight-end prospect on a Trumbull team that has been incredibly productive offensively. Ben Carley Ben Carley 6’2″ | TE Trumbull | 2023 State NewE , a top senior tight end, has to be pleasing his coaching staff with how well he’s been blocking inside and out. Carley’s got the hand and hat placement necessary to not only engage with his assignment but drive and steer them off the ball. A ton of displacement made on his blocks. He can block split out, often being too powerful for DBs to counter. Carley can in-line block, showing he has the smarts and feet to find his assignment. He can also block as a fullback in the backfield. Carley has had a noticeable positive impact when turning on the Trumbull tape.
Kickers need love too! Anyone in the high school football industry will tell you, having a great kicker can dramatically affect a football game at this level. Hard to place a value on a young man who can be trusted to drill 40+ yard field goals, a kicker who can kick balls into or through the end zone, or a punter who can pin offenses deep. Ty Groff Ty Groff 5’10” | QB New Canaan | 2023 State NewE can do all of this, as well as nail extra points with ease. Groff is proving his worth on special teams and helping New Canaan win football games. We will have to change his rank and position, yet you can’t argue how much value this young man holds to the program. I fully expect to see a 50-yard bomb out of this kid at some point this season.
Not only the best play-maker on this list, this kid might be the best play-maker every time he takes the field for West Haven. Deven Robinson Deven Robinson 5’10” | RB West Haven | 2023 State NewE ‘s positional rank looks legit, yet he might need a boost in overall rank if he continues to put up numbers the way he has so far. The West Haven senior has real speed, he can hit a second gear in the open field too. West Haven likes to get as many blockers as they can in front of this kid, his vision and set-up ability go hand-in-hand. Robinson is often used in pre-snap motion sets, jet-sweeps, to give him the football with some speed already built up. It doesn’t take much for him to reach top speed either, he can do so before he hits the secondary. Speaking of secondary, Robinson is an equally terrific safety/slot corner. I’d love to see how he operates in pass coverage, but the young man is as trustworthy a backend tackler as they come. I fully expect Robinson to continue the tear he’s on throughout the year.