2020 Breakout Candidates

Jr WR Colby Goldsmith Chestnut Hill College

2019:19rec 237yards 1TD

Over the last two season Goldsmith had the luxury of learning and watching two of the most prolific receivers to ever play in the CSFL. Playing with 2020 grad Domoree Hill and 2019 grad Reggie Robinson allowed the young receiver to make plays while not being the focal point of the offense. Last season he was once again a third fiddle because of the development of star TE Akeem Browne. Now with 2020 grad Domoree Hill gone there will be more than enough targets to go around for Browne,Goldsmith and any new talents. Last season Goldsmith started to show his ability to be a play maker.The 1TD in 2019 may seem low but Goldsmith did score five 2-pt conversions on the season. The new QB situation at CHC along with an increase in targets should lead to a breakout campaign for Jr WR Colby Goldsmith. I expect him to the elevate and become one of the best slot receivers in the CSFL.

Soph RB Alex Tottta Navy

2019:192rushing yards 4TD

Heading into the 2020 season Soph RB Alex Totta should see an increased workload. Last season the young RB cracked the rotation due to some injuries that plagued star RB Caleb Champion. In his limited role Totta showed he can be more than a average ball carrier running behind a great run blocking O-Line. His freshmen season was highlight by a ESPN Sports Center Top 10 run against Cornell. The young back has shown excellent pop along with ever improving vision. The shadows of icons who came before him like 13’David Williams, 15’Eric Wellmon, 16’Brendan Clements, and 20’Caleb Champion may place some high expectations on Totta,but if the young back continues to develop he could be in for a great season.I expect him to solidify himself as one of the best backs for years to come.

Jr WR Kraig Hamilton Army

2019:22rec 335yards 2TD

WR Kraig Hamilton will very likely be the most explosive playmaker for Army this upcoming season. Similarly to CHC WR Colby Goldsmith, Hamilton had the luxury of playing alongside a great receiver in 2020 grad Tom Williamson. Now Hamilton is easily Army’s most dangerous outside threat. After having three games without recording a statistic, Hamilton finished the season with a four game stretch that cemented him as one of the up and coming young talents at the position. Hamilton stepping into that top receiver role should pay major dividends for Army. If Hamilton picks up where he left off at the end of last season then Army will have one of the most explosive play makers in the CSFL.

Soph QB Joshua Derocher/Timmy Tillman Alderson Broaddus

JD: 7g 447yards 3TD 8int 48% 1rushing TD

TT: 7g 205yards 2TD 4int 46%

These two young QBs cemented themselves in the history books by piloting the Alderson Broaddus Sprint Football team in their inaugural season. Derocher started every game but Tillman continuously worked his way onto the field. Both QBs suffered from the usual ailment that plagues young QBs and that’s turning the ball over. The pair combined for 5 passing TDs compared to 12 ints. It remains to be seen if one of these two QBs will take the lead on the starting position. Even if they continue to play as a tandem both QBs should be drastically better heading into the 2020 season.

Soph WR John Rogers Mansfield University

2019:14 rec 233 yards 3TD

With John Rogers we have yet another WR who benefited from having played alongside a program staple. Playing with 2020 grad DJ McLean will prove to be positive for Rogers in the long run. Rogers also has the luxury of playing in the northern division which as currently constituted is the weaker division. Improved play from the QB position should bode well for the young receiver as he steps into a new role. The return of 2018 standout receiver Henry Quinn will keep teams from paying all of their secondary attention to Rogers on the outside. Rogers should be in for an improved season as Mansfield looks to have another successful year.

Jr QB Kiel McKenzie St.Thomas Aquinas

2019: 1091yards 8TD 10INT 53%

In his first year as the starter Mckenzie put up solid production. The young QB was in charge of leading at team that was only in its second season as a program. Despite the youth around him McKenzie proved that he has the tools to become a top tier QB. His 53% completion percentage was good for fourth highest in the league. This would have been even higher if not for the high number of drops that plagued his young receiving core. Continued development from his receivers as well as the experience from starting a full season should have Mckenzie ready to put up big numbers this year.

Defense

Soph LB Caleb Doyle Army

2019:36tackles 4.5TFL

As a freshmen LB Caleb Doyle didn’t have to do much. The young backer sat behind star LB Tate Blessinger as well as two other starters at the outside backer positions. What production he did produce mostly came during throw away time in already decided games. Even so Doyle did show promise. He’s shown excellent toughness as well as open field tackling ability. If he does manage to earn his time on the field this season his job will not be very difficult. Playing along side the likes of DL NaVonte Dean, LB Tate Blessinger, and S Ryan Leach will make it so that very little pressure will be put on Doyle. All he has to do is make plays that come his way and allow his upperclassmen teammates to do the heavy lifting in terms of production. Doyle should see a major jump in numbers as he heads into a complimentary starting role.

 

Jr DL Tyreeke Smith St.Thomas Aquinas

2019:40tackles 4TFL 1sack

DL Tyreke Smith is at the doorstep of a turning point in his career. Heading into his third season Smith needs to take that next step and become a dominant defensive lineman. His 40 tackles were third most on his team and third most by a defensive lineman in the CSFL. But the Jr defensive end hasn’t shown the ability to consistently make big plays in the backfield. Smith only has 7TFL and 1sack heading into his third season. If Smith can take that next step and become an elite run stopper and pass rusher then the STAC defense will be that much better.I am optimistic Smith turns that corner this season as he heads into his third year as a starter.

Soph LB Lewis Evans University of Pennsylvania

2019:54tackles 2TFL 1sack 1FF 1FR

LB Lewis Evans burst onto the scene during the 2019 season. The first year backer finished first on his team in tackles. Evans made some big time stuffs throughout the season that would make you think he was a senior. This upcoming season Evans must take that next step to become an even better player. Matching the level of excellence displayed by star safety Luca Curran and star backer Aaron Johnson is the next challenge for Evans. Both of his aforementioned teammates are two of the best players in the CSFL at their position. If Evans can continue to improve as a LB then the Penn defense will have a staple for years to come.

Soph DL Ernesto Hernandez Caldwell University

2019:24tackles 5.5TFL

Headed in to his second year Hernandez is going to have the chance to make a lot of plays for Caldwell.He is surrounded by third and fourth year guys who will produce the bulk of the production for Caldwell’s defense. For the time being all Hernandez has to do is make the plays that come his way. If he comes into this season as an improved pass rusher then Hernandez could really benefit from the 1 on 1’s that he is likely to get with star DE Randy Antenor rushing from the other side. Adding LB Royce Francisco and an improved secondary will only provide more opportunities for Hernandez to make plays.Hernandez should be in for a big second season.

Jr DB Adam Weissenfels Navy

2019:22 tackles 1TFL 4int 6pbu

Jr DB Adam Weissenfels has the luxury of playing across from one of the top players at the CB position Sr Grant Hooper. Because of this Weissenfels has not had to consistently guard the opposing team’s best receiver. While mostly guarding teams second guys Weissenfels has proved he is a more than capable corner. He’s also shown the ability to line up and cover the slot from the safety/nickel position. The versatility he brings to the table along with knowing Hooper can engage with the other teams top guy is going manufacture a situation where Weissenfels can really flourish. Weissenfels and Hooper will make for maybe the most talented Corner tandem in the league this upcoming season.

Jr DB Jaylen Rivera Post University

2019:35tackles 4TFL 1sack 2pbu

DB Jaylen Rivera will have to have a big year if Post hopes to bounce back from a winless 2019 season.The third year safety has shown that he is an important piece of Post’s defense, but another level of play has eluded him. His positional peers like Ryan Leach, Rahsul Brown, Haleem Woods, and Luca Curran have all turned into game changing defensive pieces. A new Head Coach with a new scheme and philosophy should benefit really Rivera. He’s shown he has the tools to excel at the position,but now he has to put it all together and consistently perform at a high level so he can help lead Post to a brighter future.A breakout year from Rivera will help push Post in the right direction.