RSS
Top 10: Players to Watch
With games set to begin in just over a week, I decided, for the final Top 10 , to present a list of the 10 players to watch for this upcoming football season.
Next Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Register presents its annual High School Football Preview Section, which will include capsules on every team in the state and the Preseason Top 10 Poll. Happy reading.
1. Khairi Fortt, Stamford
The 6-foot-2, 220 pound outside linebacker is the state's top recruit, and the fifth-rated in the county at his position, according to the recruiting site Scout.com, which says that Fortt has great size, speed and is a versatile athlete that can play either inside or outside.
Fortt has narrowed his college choices to Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Penn State, Tennessee and USC.
2. Tebucky Jones, Jr., New Britain
A 6-foot-1, 180 pound wide receiver. Has already committed to UConn. Is the 6th-ranked recruit in the state. Son of former NFL player Tebucky Jones.
Was arrested this summer on an assault charge. That could be a distraction once the summer starts, but Jones has the talent to be the state's top receiver.
3. Byron Jones, St. Paul/Lewis Mills/Goodwin Tech
This 6-foot, 175 pound receiver also committed to UConn. Jones is the third-ranked non-prep school recruit behind Fortt and Jones, Jr., on Scout.com.
4. Nick Merullo, Hand
This senior quarterback had a memorable sophomore year, leading the Tigers to an 11-1 record and a berth in the Class MM final before losing to New Canaan. Merullo was injured in the preseason last year, and missed the season opener, in which Hand lost to New London.
It took several weeks for Merullo to reach full strength. Merullo, fully healthy, is expected to have a huge season. Also a catcher for the baseball team, Merullo is still debating which sport to play in college. Father, Matt, was a former MLB player.
5. Jason Lassiter, Hamden
Lassiter, a senior quarterback, like Merullo, is one of the top quarterbacks in the Southern Connecticut Conference. Lassiter could beat opponents throught the air or on the ground.
Led Green Dragons to Class LL state semifinals last season. With Lassiter again under center, Hamden could go even further this year.
6. Jacob Drozd, Seymour
6-foot-2, 215 pounds. Can play either defensive end or linebacker. Is probably the best returning player in the Naugatuck Valley League.
Drozd has size and speed, and incredible athletic ability. Won high jump title during indoor track season, and was the outdoor javelin champion.
7. Maurice Morrison, Wilbur Cross
Long and lanky wide receiver. Stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 175 pounds. Is a bit undersized, weight-wise, but has tremendous speed and mobility in the open field.
Will be one of the top receivers in the SCC, if not the best. Should get plenty of attempts. Also a solid defensive and special teams player.
8. Pierre Narcisse, Windsor
Senior quarterback. 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. Became the starter midway through his freshman year. Threw for over 1,500 yards last season while leading Windsor to Class L state semifinals.
Has an above-average arm, good footwork and has decent speed when forced out of the pocket.
9. Casey Cochran, Masuk
Just a sophomore, Cochran is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the state. Led New London to the Class SS state title last season as a freshman after stepping in for the injured Jordan Reed, who is now at Florida.
Cochran transferred to Masuk in the offseason. Son of former New London, New Britain and Bloomfield coach, Jack.
10. Tyler Girard-Floyd, Montville
Junior running back is a beast. Stands 6-feet, weighs 245. Gained 1,930 yards and scored 29 times last season as a sophomore.
Led Montville to Class SS state semifinals in 2008. Indians should again be contenders to win that division this year.
Next Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Register presents its annual High School Football Preview Section, which will include capsules on every team in the state and the Preseason Top 10 Poll. Happy reading.
1. Khairi Fortt, Stamford
The 6-foot-2, 220 pound outside linebacker is the state's top recruit, and the fifth-rated in the county at his position, according to the recruiting site Scout.com, which says that Fortt has great size, speed and is a versatile athlete that can play either inside or outside.
Fortt has narrowed his college choices to Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Penn State, Tennessee and USC.
2. Tebucky Jones, Jr., New Britain
A 6-foot-1, 180 pound wide receiver. Has already committed to UConn. Is the 6th-ranked recruit in the state. Son of former NFL player Tebucky Jones.
Was arrested this summer on an assault charge. That could be a distraction once the summer starts, but Jones has the talent to be the state's top receiver.
3. Byron Jones, St. Paul/Lewis Mills/Goodwin Tech
This 6-foot, 175 pound receiver also committed to UConn. Jones is the third-ranked non-prep school recruit behind Fortt and Jones, Jr., on Scout.com.
4. Nick Merullo, Hand
This senior quarterback had a memorable sophomore year, leading the Tigers to an 11-1 record and a berth in the Class MM final before losing to New Canaan. Merullo was injured in the preseason last year, and missed the season opener, in which Hand lost to New London.
It took several weeks for Merullo to reach full strength. Merullo, fully healthy, is expected to have a huge season. Also a catcher for the baseball team, Merullo is still debating which sport to play in college. Father, Matt, was a former MLB player.
5. Jason Lassiter, Hamden
Lassiter, a senior quarterback, like Merullo, is one of the top quarterbacks in the Southern Connecticut Conference. Lassiter could beat opponents throught the air or on the ground.
Led Green Dragons to Class LL state semifinals last season. With Lassiter again under center, Hamden could go even further this year.
6. Jacob Drozd, Seymour
6-foot-2, 215 pounds. Can play either defensive end or linebacker. Is probably the best returning player in the Naugatuck Valley League.
Drozd has size and speed, and incredible athletic ability. Won high jump title during indoor track season, and was the outdoor javelin champion.
7. Maurice Morrison, Wilbur Cross
Long and lanky wide receiver. Stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 175 pounds. Is a bit undersized, weight-wise, but has tremendous speed and mobility in the open field.
Will be one of the top receivers in the SCC, if not the best. Should get plenty of attempts. Also a solid defensive and special teams player.
8. Pierre Narcisse, Windsor
Senior quarterback. 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. Became the starter midway through his freshman year. Threw for over 1,500 yards last season while leading Windsor to Class L state semifinals.
Has an above-average arm, good footwork and has decent speed when forced out of the pocket.
9. Casey Cochran, Masuk
Just a sophomore, Cochran is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the state. Led New London to the Class SS state title last season as a freshman after stepping in for the injured Jordan Reed, who is now at Florida.
Cochran transferred to Masuk in the offseason. Son of former New London, New Britain and Bloomfield coach, Jack.
10. Tyler Girard-Floyd, Montville
Junior running back is a beast. Stands 6-feet, weighs 245. Gained 1,930 yards and scored 29 times last season as a sophomore.
Led Montville to Class SS state semifinals in 2008. Indians should again be contenders to win that division this year.
posted by Mike Pucci at
8:40 PM
19 Comments:
Hamden all day. Lassiter is going to lead this team to a state championship.
Andrew Luzzi Branford where it's at, watch out for a big year
What about Montrell Dobbs of Ansonia. I'd Chose him over Drozd
Drozd and Dobbs are such different players. It's tough to compare the two. Drozd is a senior, so he gets the edge here.
dobbs is way overrated, hes not that good!
Mike, what are your thougts on the Branford Hornets this year?
I think Branford should do very well this season. They should probably win their division.
east haven 0-21 in last 21 games, is supposeddly supposed to be pretty decent this year, from what i hear
I saw Fortt against Holy Cross last weekend and I was not overly impressed. he made a couple good runs on offense but appeared kind of lax on defense. On one sweep play Tanner Young of Holy Cross laid him out pretty good. I am not convinced he's the "best linebacker in the country" as some scouting services have called him.
How about Tom Jordan of Ridgefield.
He is a 6'5", 270 lb. lineman. He is only a junior and had already received OFFERS (not just letters) from Boston College, and Florida.
There is a rumor going around that one of the 2 QB's from St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida (USA Today's #1)has transferred to New Canaan HS. The word is that he did not want to split time. Stanford is one of the schools which has reportedly offerred him.
Lassiter is overrated, he's simply surrounded by athletes and a good coach. Look for Hand to surprise a lot of people thursday, and for Nick Murello to show up Lassiter.
Update on the New Canaan transfer: His name is Turner Baty, he enrolled ths past week. 6'2" 210.
Stanford has already offerred, Tennessee & Miami (FL) are interested.
hamden will crush hand
Lassiter overrated????He abused Merullo on tv last year.What has Merullo done since,and he's been in one of the best programs for years!Anonymous must be Merullo's girlfriend!That kid Lassiter is one of the best I've ever seen at highschool level!!!
rafal garcarz from new britain?? 4 yr starter(1 yr at st paul and going on his 3rd year at New Britain). he just rushed for 190yrds and 3 tds and threw for 180yrds and 2 tds in the season opener. threw to tebucky for 108 and a td.
pierre from windsor just went 16-36 for 130 against a weak simsbury D....he has the physical size not the tools or the brain.
Lets set the record straight. Hamden is a great team for three reasons. 1-Great coaching, 2-amazing team speed and 3-a big, experienced, atheletic OL / DL. The QB is pretty good but that team would be state champs with any QB. FYI = Merullo totally outplayed Lassiter. Hamden won strickly because of: please see reasons 1,2,3.
Merullo should play RB. He can't hit the water from a boat!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home