Breakout Performers For 2024
- Updated: March 25, 2024
Lakota West RB Braydon Johnson (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)
Several players gave us a glimpse of what they could be last fall after scratching the surface of their talents. Now, the aim to raise their games to the next level.
Here is a look at TriState Football’s Breakout Performers for 2024.
Zayvion Banks, Springfield, Jr., RB – Head coach Moe Douglass is more than excited about having Banks back after a year hiatus. Teamed with classmate Deontre Long (who ran for 899 yards and eight touchdowns last fall) and running behind a big and experienced offensive line, the Wildcats backfield is going to be an explosive unit to deal with the next two seasons. Banks appeared in five varsity games as a freshman running for 19 yards on nine carries and a touchdown.
Brayden Boeing, Elder, Sr., TE – A big red zone target at 6-foot-5 and 230-pounds. Boeing will be more of a focal point in the Panthers offense this fall. He had just eight receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown as a junior. Boeing recently committed to Miami (OH).
Elder TE Brayden Boeing (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)
Ethan Cole, Indian Hill, So., QB – When called upon, early in his freshman year, Cole played admirably under center. He threw for 572 yards and seven touchdowns in Weeks 2 through 7. He then returned to linebacker while occasionally picking up some carries at running back, finishing his rookie campaign with 23 total tackles, 228 yards and five touchdowns rushing to go along with his passing numbers. “Having the opportunity to start six games last year, Ethan comes in with enough experience to play as a returning starter. A great off season will make his transition even better,” Indian Hill Head Coach John Rodenberg states.
Shane Cole, Centerville, Jr., QB – A dual-threat quarterback who got his feet wet at the varsity level down the stretch last fall. Cole led the Elks in rushing in two of the teams final three contests. He ran for 154 yards, threw for 58 yards with a rushing and a passing touchdown in four games as a sophomore.
Kaleb Evans, Lloyd, Jr., QB – A strong-armed thrower with an excellent command of the offense. Evans started the last four games of his sophomore season and lit it up for the Juggernauts. He completed 66% of his passes for 667 yards with nine touchdown tosses and only one interception in that span.
Lloyd QB Kaleb Evans (photo from X: @KALEBQB15)
Shawn Fishwick, Xenia, Jr., WR – Fishwick was just hitting his stride as a sophomore before injuries forced him to miss the last three games. He finished the year with 21 receptions for 241 yards and a touchdown, 15 of those catches and 172 of those yards came in the final three games he played in. Fishwick has offers from BGSU, Kent State, UMass And Miami (OH).
Isaiah Garrett, Winton Woods, So., RB – Came out of the garage will all pistons firing as a freshman, rushing for 423 yards, averaging 10.5 yards per carry with six touchdowns in his first five varsity games. A high ankle-sprain slowed Garrett the rest of the way and he could only muster 21 yards on 24 carries with one score in the Warriors final seven games. He has offers from Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Michigan and Purdue.
Marshon Gregory-Bey, Miamisburg, Sr., DE – A hot commodity this offseason, Gregory-Bey has a tremendous upside. From the start of his junior year, his first playing football, he has added 45-pounds to his 6-foot-5 frame. Gregory-Bey is destined to have a big senior campaign sliding into the “get-after-it” pass rush position vacated by Peyton Hoskins in the Vikings defense. Gregory-Bey whose best days in football are still ahead of him has offers from Akron, BGSU, Eastern Kentucky, Kent State and Miami (OH).
Braydon Johnson, Lakota West, Jr., RB – This rising star led the Firebirds with 570 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground as a sophomore. Johnson has never run for more than 75 yards in 18 career games but has at least one carry for 10 or more yards in 12 of those contests. The volcano is bubbling and very close to erupting for Johnson who is one of Ohio’s top baseball players in the Class of 2026. He has football offers from Ball State, Kent State, Pitt and Toledo.
Caleb Naumann, McNicholas, Jr., RB – A powerful back with great downfield vision, Naumann led the Rockets with 515 yards (never more than 90 yards in a contest) and seven touchdowns rushing as a sophomore. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Naumann is more than capable of doubling those numbers in each of the next two seasons and we expect him to do just that. He is also a threat catching the ball out of the backfield with 18 receptions for 84 yards and a score a year ago. McNicholas Head Coach Mike Orlando is pumped about Naumann’s future. “Caleb had a really good sophomore season, and we are looking forward to him taking the next step in his journey. Caleb is having a tremendous offseason, adding size and speed, while continuing to be an outstanding leader. He is a very determined and highly competitive individual but will do whatever is necessary for the team to be successful.”
McNicholas RB Caleb Naumann (photo from X: @CalebNaumann25)
Ryan “R.J.” O’Bryant, Princeton, Jr., WR, 5-10/160 – Speed kills and the 5-foot-10, 160-pound and O’Bryant has those quicks, posting a 4.4 second time in the 40-yard dash. A transfer from Colerain, O’Bryant had 16 receptions for 223 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals as a sophomore. His new school, Princeton, will find multiple ways to get the ball in his hands over the next two seasons. O’Bryant has an offer from Toledo.
Jax Pryor, Bethel-Tate, Jr., QB – Quarterbacks have put up big numbers in the Tigers spread offense under Head Coach Jeff Essig and it appears that Pryor is next in line to get that time to shine. “Jax is developing to become a true dual-threat quarterback. We are very excited to see his transition from JV to varsity. He will add another level to our offense that we haven’t had since 2017 with Seth Becker. Those are big shoes to fill but we are looking forward to watching Jax continue his development this offseason,” Essig chimes.
Will Rivers, Walnut Hills, Jr., QB – Made his varsity debut last fall in Week 6 after returning from a torn ACL and meniscus. The 6-foot-5, 170-pound Rivers threw for 658 of his 807 yards and all five of his touchdowns in the Eagles final three contests.
Nathan Verax, Ryle, Jr., QB – A starter as a defensive back as a sophomore Verax was in on 29 total tackles and had four takeaways (three INTs, one FR). Now Verax moves in as the Raiders quarterback, the position that is being vacated by his brother Logan, who graduate. “Nate has varsity experience as a player. He is an athletic and fast quarterback with a strong arm. Nate was clocked at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash just recently. We are very excited that we can continue to throw the ball with Nate while adding in a little quarterback run game, to highlight his speed and running ability,” Ryle Head Coach Mike Engler on Verax.
St. Xavier ATH/QB Daniel Vollmer (photo courtesy on Scouting Ohio.com)
Daniel Vollmer, St., Xavier, Jr., QB/ATH – Vollmer’s legs have already proven to be a big asset at the varsity level. There was a four-game stretch last season where Vollmer was simply fantastic. He ran for 633 of his 765 yards (including 281 yards rushing and three of his four touchdowns against Elder), in that span. Vollmer didn’t show off much of his arm completing just 3-19 passes for 35 yards with an interception and no touchdown tosses as a sophomore. He did finish with 1,017 all-purpose yards and averaged 20.6 yards on 16 kickoff returns with six receptions for 23 yards. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Vollmer has offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Akron and Miami (OH).
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