Image courtesy of AOF Football
Several members of the Class of 2025 announced their commitments this week. Here are some thoughts on the players who committed this week and other happenings.
Catholic Memorial J.D Rayner committed to James Madison. The 6-5 270 tight end and defensive end has good length, plays with good strength and can anchor against the run. He will fit in well both schematically and from a cultural standpoint with the Dukes.
Needham defensive end Will McDonald announced on Wednesday that he is committing to Army West Point. One of the more underrated players in Massachusetts, McDonald is poised to have a big year for a Needham that will be a championship contender in D1.
Springfield Central wide receiver Dwayne Early announced this week that he has narrowed down his school choices to five. Holy Cross, Old Dominion, James Madison, UMass and Buffalo. Early was impressive at the Boston College 7 on 7 last week.
Busy week at Tabor Academy. Defensive tackle Folo Shobowale committed to Bucknell and wide receiver Kaiden Drinkwater picked up a Maryland offer.
Speaking of Maryland, the Terps have increased their presence in New England this off-season. Mike Locksley and his staff have prioritized the region and have picked up a couple of commitments as a result.
Avon Old Farms has had a busy week in terms of commitments. Quarterback Trevor Havill committed to Yale, defensive end Dante Recker committed to the aforementioned Maryland, defensive back Rayshon Andrews committed to Syracuse, defensive lineman Duncan McPherson, committed to Penn, offensive lineman Wyatt Scarritt committed to Fordham, defensive end Brian Hnat committed to James Madison and offensive lineman Owen Alicene committed to Penn State earlier this off-season. Jon Wholley has been busy as usual.
We asked Coach Wholley about why AOF is placing so many young men in schools despite the uncertainty in recruiting.
“We are blessed to have such a great start to this recruiting cycle. The seven kids who have given their commitment to a university or college are tremendous students, very good football players, but more importantly, great leaders and kids.”
Wholley continued: “Our senior class this year is a very large one with a lot of kids that will play college football and I am excited to see where the rest of the class ends up. I think the successful placement we have had is a testament to the type of kids that we have here. Kids with tremendous work ethics, great integrity, elite academic profiles and outstanding athletic ability.”
Wholley also talked about the structure at AOF and how that structure helps young men.
“Second, I think it speaks volumes about the school and the structure it provides to allow kids become the best they are capable of becoming. Lastly, the reputation of our football program, which has had tremendous success over the years with Coach Driscoll and the other coaches that have been here before me.”
Suffield Academy’s Ian Cooper announced his committing to Harvard. The 6-8 275 Cooper has a lot of upside and a terrific pick up for Andrew Aurich’s staff.
Dexter-Southfield’s Hardy Watts announced that he will commit on Monday July 1st. His top three are Clemson, Michigan and Wisconsin.