Freshmen of Influence: Class of 2027

If the first wave of players to make a splash from the Class of 2027 is any indication of what is to come. It is going to be an awesome next three years of high school football in the Tri-State.

Here is a look at some of the top performing freshmen from last fall. Introducing the Class of 2027:

Ashton “Ace” Alston, Anderson, CB – One of two freshmen two start on defense for the Division II, Region 8 Regional Champion Raptors. A long and versatile athlete, Alston was excellent as a lockdown corner with 11 pass break-ups, an interception, a fumble recovery, two tackles for losses and 46 total tackles in his first season in black and orange.

“Ace is a dynamic defensive back that has the ability to play in coverage. He did a great job of tackling in the open field as a freshman. His football IQ is excellent while also being able to communicate with peers to understand our schematics,” Anderson Head Coach Evan Dreyer states.

Alston has seen his stock rise immensely since the season ended, nabbing offers from Arkansas, Boston College, Bowling Green, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, Tennessee, Toledo, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Jamier Averette-Brown, Wayne, WR/RS – The speedster is dynamic playmaker that has been clocked at 4.31 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Jamier is quick to point out on his X account, that in the history of the NFL Combine only 11 players have ever run that fast. Averette-Brown “wowed” Warriors fans with 31 receptions for 512 yards, 1,025 all-purpose yards, a 25.2-yard average on 20 kickoff returns and seven trips to the end zone (four rec, three KR). He had at least one reception of 20-yards or more eight times in his last nine games. All three of the kickoffs Averette-Brown took to the house were 80-yards or longer. His offers include Marshall, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State, Purdue, Tennessee and Toledo.

Noah Brown, East Central, OL – A starter from day one for the state champion Trojans. Brown is not the biggest lineman at 6-foot-0 and 240-pounds but has the resume to boast his recognition helping open up holes for an East Central offense that scored 91 touchdowns (69 rush, 22 pass), averaged 45.7 points and 395.2 yards per game in 2023.

Lucas Cannady, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, QB – It was an ominous start to Cannady’s career as he went 8-20 for 76 yards and five interceptions in his first two games. He rebounded with great poise throwing for 1,096 yards with 13 scoring strikes and just five picks over the next nine weeks helping the Titans to their fourth straight playoff appearance. He was named Honorable Mention All-MVC Gray for his efforts.

Devlan Daniel, Indian Hill, RB – Daniel made it look effortless, posting some very robust numbers in his debut. In 10 games, he ran for 1,468 yards, averaged 10.1 yards per carry, racked up 1,653 all-purpose yards, had five straight games with at least two touchdowns on the ground and 18 total touchdowns (17 rush) on his way to OPSWA Division IV Third Team All-Ohio honors. Daniel is a big-time college baseball prospect.

Darius Dennis, Trotwood-Madison, DB – A big and menacing force in the secondary at 6-foot-1 and 200-pounds. Dennis has a nose for the football, registering 60 total tackles, with two sacks, six tackles for losses and three interceptions in 2023.

Tyler Fryman, Beechwood, WR/DB – An incredibly gifted athlete that played well beyond his age on both sides of the football. No moment was too big for Fryman. He finished the season with 47 receptions for 1,052 yards (22.4/rec), ran for 191 yards (10.6/carry), had five takeaways on defense (three INTS, two FRs) and found the end zone 18 times (10 rec, seven rush, one FR) on his way to being named NKFCA Division III All- NKY (WR). Fryman has already committed to play baseball at the University of Louisville.

Isaiah Garrett, Winton Woods, 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 limited Garrett to just 21 yards on 24 carries and one touchdown in the Warriors final seven contests. He is one of the top running backs in Ohio with the potential to be one of the nation’s best by the time his senior year rolls around. Garrett has offers from Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Michigan and Purdue.

Crue Gilmour, Lawrenceburg, DB – It was no problem adjusting to the speed of the game for Gilmour coming in and starting right away for the Tigers. He was in on 39 total tackles with a forced fumble and two interceptions in his inaugural campaign.

Antwoine Higgins, Anderson, DE/LB – He looks the part and backs it up with his play on the field. Higgins is the real deal. He finished 2023 with 53 total tackles, one-and-a-half sacks, six tackles for losses, four passes defended and one interception for the Division II, Region 8 Regional Champion Raptors.

“Antwoine is a gifted athlete that played quarterback growing up. He has an incredible talent of being able to rush the passer as well as understanding coverages and personnel. We are excited to see Antwoine’s development as his body fills out and he becomes one of the top edge rushers in the class of 2027,” Anderson Head Coach Evan Dreyer states.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Higgins has become a hot commodity since the season ended picking up offers that include Arkansas, Boston College, Bowling Green, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, UMass, Oregon, Purdue, Tennessee, Toledo, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Eddie Holloway, Taft, WR – A super explosive player. Holloway had 19 offensive touches for 512 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in eight games. He had 13 receptions for 395 yards and four scores. Holloway holds an offer from UMass.

Isaiah Johnson, New Miami, OT/DE – The 6-foot-0, 255-pound Johnson was a one-man wrecking crew for the Vikings tallying 56 total tackles, three-and-a-half sacks, 14.0 tackles for losses with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was named Second Team All-MVC Gray as a freshman. Johnson will be a candidate for the OPSWA Division VII Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year over the next three years.

Hezikiah “Hezi” Kelley, Northwest, WR/DB – Arguably the best cover defensive back in the SWOC and the only freshman to be named First Team All-SWOC. Kelley was in on 34 total tackles, had a sack, three pass break-ups and one interception. On offense, he caught eight balls for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Kelley also added OPSWA Honorable Mention All-Southwest District accolades to his list of honors.

Braylon Keyes, Springfield, WR/DB – Keyes was way too talented to keep off the field with stints at quarterback, receiver and in the secondary as a freshman. He will see most of his action at receiver and defensive back as a sophomore. Keyes threw for 208 yards, ran for 112 yards, had nine receptions for 65 yards and recorded eight tackles. He has offers from Toledo and UMass.

Devin McCormick, Stebbins, QB – Stebbins (4-7) went 3-3 in McCormick’s first six starts. The Indians ran into a gauntlet after that falling to Tippecanoe, Butler and Troy twice (who were a combined 30-8) to end the season. The rookie took his share of lumps against the league’s best. McCormick would finish the year with 1,278 yards and six touchdowns through the air. The most promising thing about McCormick is that Stebbins beat the teams they were supposed to, in his starts. The next step for McCormick and the Indians is to take it to the next level and conquer the upper echelon teams in the MVL.

Ryan Minges, East Central, RB – No one in the Hoosier state will have bigger shoes to fill than Minges who takes over the offensive workload from Indiana Mr. Football, Josh Ringer. Minges played in all 15 games for the undefeated state champion Trojans, running for 411 yards, averaging 6.0 yards per carry with four rushing touchdowns to begin his career.

Jeremiah Nash, Trotwood-Madison, DT – Nash a run-clogger also has legit double-digit sack potential especially with what the Rams surround him with over the next three seasons. Nash tallied 41 total tackles and had eight sacks on his way to being named OPSWA Division III Honorable Mention All-Ohio. He has offers from Kent State, UMass and Toledo.

Ulysses Porter, Holy Cross, RB/DB – An impact player in all three phases of the game for the Wildcats. In eight games, Porter ran for 954 yards, caught nine passes for 137 yards, recorded 36 total tackles, forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles and had 18 touchdowns (14 rush, two rec, one KR, one FR). He was named NKFCA Division IV All-NKY (RB) for the work.

Camden Telinda, Goshen, RB – There hasn’t been much to get excited about for Goshen football fans over the past several years but now Camden Telinda is on the scene and the Warriors faithful are ready to get lit up with his electricity. Telinda made an impact on both sides of the ball running for 776 yards, with 21 receptions for 233 yards, 1,265 all-purpose yards while hitting paydirt 13 times (11 rush, two pass). On defense, he was in on 46 total tackles, forced three fumbles, recovered a fumble and had two pass break-ups. He was named OPSWA Division III Honorable Mention All-Southwest District for his efforts.

Tysin Weaver, Simon Kenton, WR – A big play threat and gifted athlete, whose offers should start flowing soon. The 6-foot-0, 174-pound Weaver averaged 22.3 yards on 27 receptions and found the end zone eight times (six rec, two rush) for the Pioneers.

Brady Young, New Richmond, QB – All Young did in his first four games was throw for 1,344 yards with 17 touchdown passes and just four interceptions including school records of 393 yards and six touchdowns passing versus Williamsburg. He finished the year with more than 2,500 yards and 27 touchdowns through the air and was named Honorable Mention All-SBAAC American.

“Anytime you have a three-sport athlete that is 6-foot-4 and 185-pounds as a sophomore you have to be excited! Brady is a generational quarterback! We are super excited about his future here at New Richmond. I feel that Brady has the potential to be a FCS/Division I quarterback. We are looking forward to seeing Brady’s offseason development,” New Richmond Head Coach Brian Pitzer proclaims about his signal-caller.

One of Young’s quality characteristics is his selfless side. “I feel like I am an intelligent quarterback, that throws the ball pretty well and helps distribute the football to my teammates. It allows them to go make plays for our offense,” he states.

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