02-27-2024, 05:48 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-05-2024, 08:56 AM by lemonoppy. Edited 3 times in total.)
(First Gen 2x Bonus)
Greetings everyone, I am Grizzly Notabear, a new agent to the ISFL. Some of you may know me from another football league where I represented such talented clients as DeAnderson Sabathia Jr., Twoson Fourside, and Vivian Allison, to name a few. There have been many requests from players in the past to represent them here, and today I will finally be making the leap to the ISFL. Before I introduce my latest client, I will be ranking the top 15 players who reached out to me for the honor of breaking my ISFL cherry. Without further ado, here we go!
15.) Nine Tenths, Possession TE, Vice City High School
What makes him special?
Nine Tenths is the dominant pass catcher out of Vice City High. Standing at a ridiculous 6’6”, Tenths literally towers over his competition. On top of that, his wingspan is through the roof. I’ve seen him catch balls thrown to a different area code! If you can get the football into his general area, he’s making the catch, no questions asked. In fact, he led all Florida high school players with 103 receptions his Senior year. Tenths was also the primary red zone threat for Vice City, catching 11 touchdowns on the season. Just his presence on the field drew attention from any defense he faced, and many believe that his numbers could have been even better had Vice City’s receivers been more talented.
What’s the downside?
Sadly, despite his size and catch radius, Nine Tenths is just not quite as strong as you would expect him to be. He struggles mightily as a blocker, and while you may not need him to block on passing downs, your running backs are going to hate running in his direction. In addition, Tenths is quite slow. I’ve seen turtles run faster than he can. His 103 receptions are a lot less impressive when you realize they were only good for 840 yards. Sure he’s a football magnet and can catch just about anything you throw at him, but once he makes that catch he’s not going anywhere with it. He may have quite a career as a strong red zone receiving threat, but Tenths really doesn’t project to be a full time player at the pro level.
14.) Jacoby Hester, Speed WR, Northern Illinois High School
What makes him special?
Jacoby Hester might be one of the fastest players I have ever seen. A premier deep threat, Hester has the speed to run out of his shoes. Literally, in fact, as he missed half a drive in one game as his cleats basically exploded on a deep slant route. Cornerbacks quickly learned to give Hester lots of breathing room after he opened the season with a 4 catch, 167 yard, 3 touchdown debut. He never matched those highs the rest of the season, but he did end up with 1,012 yards and 12 touchdowns when all was said and done.
What’s the downside?
While the speed is great, his actual catching skills leave a lot to be desired. Hester was a drop machine, committing multiple in just about every game he played. As the season wore on, defenses would give plenty of room in front of him, knowing that even when open, he was a good bet to put the ball on the ground. Getting lucky on a deep bomb would be problematic for them, but taking the risk of Hester getting 12 yards underneath was something many defenses learned to accept. Northern Illinois tried to get Hester involved in more direct ways, including via reverses and even a direct snap now and then, but despite his blazing speed, Hester wasn’t very good at making people miss. Someone will take a chance on him since speed kills, but I don’t see him being anything more than a talented bust.
13.) Jawknee Willicams, Balanced OL, City of Phoenix High School
What makes him special?
If you want a bastion of fortitude, look no further than Jawknee Willicams. Whatever you need, he’s got you. Run blocking? Check. Pass blocking? Check. Taking your daughter out to a romantic candlelit dinner and paying for the whole thing? Check. You name it, Willicams does it. Routinely he will simply overpower the defenders, knocking them down a large percentage of the time. Against the pass, Willicams only allowed one sack all year, and that was mainly due to his quarterback running into him trying to escape the pocket from pressure on the other side. He also did not commit a penalty all season long. You couldn’t ask for a better lineman!
What’s the downside?
If I’m being honest, there really isn’t one. Sure, Willicams might not be the biggest or the fastest lineman out there, but there just aren’t any holes in his game, aside from the ones he creates against the defense. So why is he so low on this list? Well to be frank, I just don’t want my inaugural client to be an offensive lineman. Sure that’s unfair to Willicams, but hey life’s not fair. He’ll be a huge success for someone else, but I need a splashy first client to make a name for myself. Nobody is gonna care about cultivating a lineman even if he averages 150 pancakes a season and makes multiple Pro Bowls. Willicams will be a star, but he won’t be my star.
12.) Co Bee, Nose Tackle DT, Frobe High School
What makes him special?
Co Bee is a large man, clocking in at hefty 6’5”, 345 lbs. Bee could run over any poor sap who tries to block him, making them look foolish every single time. He would constantly face double teams on the field, and even then it was rarely enough to slow him down. Bee lived behind the line of scrimmage, routinely tackling running backs for a loss and pressuring quarterbacks into terrible plays. Bee’s full stats are uncertain, as he threatened to break the knee caps of anyone who tried to keep track of them, but there’s no question that he was the primary reason Frobe High School was league champions two years in a row.
What’s the downside?
While Co Bee was a menace to offenses on the field, he was also a menace to society at large off the field. Football was a great outlet for him to release his rage in a more controlled environment, but it still bled into his interactions at school and at home. Bee was suspended for a week after punching his English teacher for correcting him for saying “poemetry” instead of poetry. In addition, he once brandished a knife at the local pizza parlor when someone said something he didn’t quite agree with. There’s no question Bee has the talent to be a star in this league, but if he can’t clean up his act, there’s a very real chance his career will be over before it even begins.
11.) Nina Skye, Cover CB, Benjamin Franklin High School
What makes her special?
Nina Skye was the top cornerback for Benjamin Franklin High, routinely handling the opponent’s top receiver on the field. Skye has the speed to keep up with just about any player out there, and her instincts frequently allow her to put herself between the ball and the receiver. The only female player in the league, opponents often underestimated her, allowing her to lead all of New York in pass breakups during her senior year. She caught 4 interceptions in the process, and they often came when the team needed them the most. Skye would also moonlight as receiver during clutch time, catching 2 game winning touchdowns.
What’s the downside?
Despite her speed and instincts, there are concerns over Skye’s physical strength. While she’s not weak by any means, she is on the smaller side, making it difficult for her to match up against bigger receivers. There’s not a whole lot she can do if the opponents can just throw the ball over her head. In addition, her hands are not the greatest. While she can catch passes and interceptions at times, Skye is much more adept at knocking balls to the ground rather than securing them herself. Overall, I believe she will be successful locking down the smaller, fast receivers, but her struggles against bigger players will keep her from being a true star.
10.) Gladiator Chavez, Gunslinger QB, Maftopia High School
What makes him special?
When you think of gunslingers, Gladiator Chavez should be one of the first names that comes to mind. He’s got an absolute cannon of an arm, chucking it from one state to another in a single throw. Seriously, get the doctors to check if he’s got a bionic arm in there! Chavez lapped the competition in his Senior year, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. He remains calm under pressure, and is always willing to spend a couple extra seconds in the pocket to make sure his receivers can get deep enough to catch his pass. Chavez is great at dissecting the defense and knowing when he has the opportunity to take a shot downfield.
What’s the downside?
While he’s good at knowing when he can throw downfield, Chavez has the problem of always wanting to throw downfield. Sure, he’s got the arm for all these deep passes, but they aren’t always on target. Don’t get me wrong, his accuracy isn’t too bad, but it is a bit lacking compared to some of the other top quarterback prospects coming out. Additionally, his tendency to stick in the pocket and wait for his receivers to get open is not always a strength, as he often holds onto the ball a bit too long and gets hit by the pass rush. In fact, he took the most sacks in the league as a Senior trying to make plays happen far too often. Chavez definitely has the talent to be a starting quarterback in the league, but given the level of competition around him (and the seemingly negative stigma of the “gunslinger” tag around the league these days), there are safer options to choose for my first client.
9.) Maximus Fleximus, Power K, Mighty Mountain High School
What makes him special?
We just talked about a bionic arm, well how about a bionic leg? Maximus Fleximus is your guy there, as he can boot a football farther than anyone I’ve ever seen. You talk about guys practicing field goals from 60 yards out on their off time, try 80 yards for Mr. Fleximus! Of course, his team has never been brave enough to actually let him try from that far out, but he did nail it home from 50+ yards 5 times during the season, with a long of 57. Overall he went 16/21 on field goals, including 3 game winners within the last minute of the game. He was also automatic on kickoffs, getting touchbacks on all but one of his kicks this season, often booting it clear out the back of the end zone. He may very well have the strongest leg in the entire ISFL at some point in his life.
What’s the downside?
So what’s the problem with the man with the leg of steel? Well, his accuracy leaves a bit to be desired. As mentioned earlier, he was just 16/21 on field goals, and not all of those misses were from long range. It’s a great asset to boot the ball from that distance, but if your hooking kicks even from shorter ranges, it’s tough for a team to truly rely upon you. Also, as I’ve mentioned on a couple of other prospects, the idea of making my premier client a kicker leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I believe he’ll be a success, but he won’t have the starpower I want from my first client.
8.) Nota Polarbear, Versatile LB, Anchorage High School
What makes him special?
Nota Polarbear has everything you want from a professional linebacker. He’s got good speed, big strength, sneaky quickness, strong brains, you name it he’s got it! Polarbear did a bit of everything on the field, racking up 150 tackles, notching 4 sacks, catching 3 interceptions, forcing 2 fumbles, heck he even blocked a punt once! Polarbear was instrumental for his team’s defense, regularly containing the opposing run game while making things difficult in the pass game as well. He was the captain of the defense and always seemed to know where the play was going next. His instincts were simply uncanny.
What’s the downside?
While Polarbear checks all the boxes you want in a linebacker, he is very much a “Jack of All Trades, Master of None” kind of player. He’s got the speed and agility to keep up with most tight ends and pursue many running backs, but the fastest ones will leave him in the dust. He’s got the strength to take down ball carriers, but struggles to break through elite blockers. He’s got the hands to catch interceptions now and then, but not reliably so. He’ll rarely disappoint you, but at the professional level, he projects more as a solid starter rather than a true superstar. He’ll make some team better, but he’s not going to carry a bad team out of obscurity. Plus, his name’s a bit too similar to my own. People might get us confused, and that would be bad for everyone.
7.) Mikel Troot, Center Fielder FS, Anaheim High School
What makes him special?
Mikel Troot might be the best athlete of all these players. He’s got wheels for days, strong as an ox, and the brains of a dolphin. He was the epitome of a Center Fielder Free Safety on the field, able to read the opposing quarterback with ease and cut off many passes before they could arrive to their targets. In fact, he managed to snag a very impressive 9 Interceptions on the season. Even when the opponents tried to throw away from him, his raw speed let him make up ground faster than anyone would anticipate. Troot was also effective in pursuit, racking up 87 tackles despite playing primarily in the secondary. Not only was he team captain of the football team, he was an outstanding three sport athlete, starting at Shooting Guard for the basketball team and playing Center Field as the team captain of the baseball team. With his versatility and raw talent, Troot may become the best player of all these prospects!
What’s the downside?
Sadly, there is one big downside to Mikel Troot: he’s very likely to pursue a career in baseball rather than football. Basketball and baseball tend to be less demanding sports overall, and while he’s a bit undersized to really compete at the pro level in basketball, his baseball skills are top notch. Similar to on a football field, he can cover ground like no one’s business on a baseball field. On top of great defensive skills, he’s got the pop to hit 25+ home runs a season. He may never make Ohtani level money, but it’s clear Troot will has the skills to be a perennial all star on the diamond, and the longevity of a baseball career is much more alluring than that of a football career.
6.) DeAnderson Sabathia III, Return Specialist WR, Memphis High School
What makes him special?
DeAnderson Sabathia III has a special place in my heart: his father and uncle were my very first clients. Sabathia III follows in his father’s footsteps, possessing blazing speed and quickness. He can juke even the craftiest defenders out of their cleats. Much like his father, Sabathia III is a lethal return specialist, returning 2 kick returns and 3 punt returns to the house this season. Even when he can’t break one loose, he is elusive enough to make at least one man miss and get some extra yardage. He averaged a crazy 36.3 yards per return on kickoffs and a whopping 22.1 yards per return on punts. He also wasn’t too shabby on offense, gathering up 7 receiving touchdowns on 737 yards, averaging roughly 27.3 yards per catch.
What’s the downside?
The biggest downside to DeAnderson Sabathia III is that he profiles more as a pure return specialist with depth receiver or gadget play talents rather than a bona fide top tier wide receiver. Much like his father, Sabathia III has struggled quite a bit with drops so far. While his father eventually became a much more dependable pass catcher as he grew older, there’s been no indication thus far that he will see that same improvement. That’s really the biggest concern, as he’s pure electricity with the ball in his hands. He will excel as a return specialist, and he’ll easily break off a few must see highlight plays each season on offense, but there is very much a concern that he will never be truly elite as a receiver. As much as I would love to continue the family legacy (and probably should have ranked him lower than this honestly), I gotta trust my heart and go with one of these other options.
5.) Lemorse the Berserker, Power Rusher DE, Coventon High School
What makes him special?
If you want a big boy to do big boy things, look no further than Lemorse the Berserker. A specimen of pure strength and rage, Lemorse can plow through even the strongest of offensive linemen like they were tissue paper. Likely the strongest player on this list, he was an absolute menace on the football field, racking up a ridiculous 27 sacks this season. Even seeing many double teams, Lemorse showed no mercy and often ran them over anyway. Opponents quickly learned that no rushing play should ever go in his direction, as those linemen would not be making any forward progress on that side of the field. Lemorse was easily the best player on the field week in and week out, and many would love to see him perform at the next level.
What’s the downside?
I mentioned the rage before, and for good reason. Lemorse the Berserker can flip that switch and become a pure unfiltered ball of rage. That’s great when you want him to sack the quarterback. That’s less great when the quarterback gets the ball off early and he’s flagged for roughing the passer, then flagged again for unsportsmanlike conduct when he slams his helmet into the turf. Over the course of the season, Lemorse managed to break 3 helmets and get tossed from a game twice. I love the heart. I love the passion. I don’t love not being on the field. This guy is a suspension waiting to happen. I can’t have him tarnish my reputation. And for that, I’m out.
4.) Monifa Moon, Speed RB, Lunar City High School
What makes her special?
You want someone with extreme speed? Monifa Moon is your woman. She can run laps around just about anyone on the field. She goes from 0 to 100 in the blink of an eye, and you can get dizzy trying to keep up with all her jukes and evasiveness. She may not have the strength to break many tackles once defenders get her hands on her, but that really doesn’t matter if the defenders can never touch her. Routinely Moon would take a toss to the edge and simply outrun the first level and break into the secondary. She averaged a robust 13.2 yards per carry and paced her team with an insane 33 touchdowns. If you think you got her in your sights, then she’s already run past you!
What’s the downside?
While speed kills even at the professional level, Moon’s diminutive size is something of a concern. As touched on earlier, being a smaller running back she lacks the strength that most linebackers possess, making her easy to take down once someone can catch her. It’s easy to break free in high school; it’s much harder to have free reign of the field against the pros. In addition, her pass catching skills are still very raw. While I don’t doubt that she can develop into a two-way threat eventually, it’s definitely not something that she’ll have out the gate. Finally, the running back position may be one of the toughest to standout amongst the crowd at. With running back by committee setups and exotic blocking schemes, many players can have their time in the starlight, which also means many players are easily replaced. Moon’s definitely got the talent to stake a claim at the top, but the fierce competition may end up being too much in the end.
3.) Toofcro Domstro, Scrambler QB, Salem High School
What makes him special?
Well for starters, just look at that name! Toofcro Domstro is a powerhouse of a name, fitting for a powerhouse of a player. Domstro has all the tools needed to be a star quarterback, possessing a strong, accurate arm and the pure instincts necessary to be successful in the pocket. He’s not afraid of staying in the pocket long enough for a play to develop, even if it ends with his back on the grass, so long as the ball makes it to its intended target. What else could you want from a quarterback? What’s that you say? The ability to take off when necessary to extend a play or break off a chunk of yardage to get a clutch first down? Yeah he’s got that too. Domstro has some serious wheels, and isn’t afraid to take off when the situation arises. The ability to punish defenses both through the air and on the ground makes him an absolute terror on the field, one that’s near impossible to stop.
What’s the downside?
That near impossible is holding a lot of weight here sadly as there is one big downside to Domstro: his health. Domstro’s fearless style is great for making plays and being a dominant force while on the field, but he also exposes himself to some nasty hits. He suffered season ending injuries twice during high school, missing the end of his freshman year with a broken leg and almost the entirety of his junior year with a separated shoulder. In addition, he has missed time with a sprained ankle and played through three games with bruised ribs. Domstro can easily be a star in this league, but will he last long enough to do so?
2.) Jimothy Topaz, Physical CB, Hyrule High School
What makes him special?
Jimothy Topaz is the definition of a shutdown corner. His physical presence intimidates even the fiercest of receivers, and at 6’4” he often towers over who he is guarding. Topaz possesses rare strength for a cornerback, and he excels in jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage. He also specializes in maximizing his height and his hops to win jump balls. Few quarterbacks can toss the ball over his head, and even fewer receivers can make the catch afterward. Topaz built himself such a reputation that opposing offenses barely even looked towards his side of the field. He even took advantage of this, popping off the corner on a blitz on occasion to catch an unexpecting quarterback unaware. You couldn’t find a more physical cornerback if you tried!
What’s the downside?
While Topaz’s physical dominance is unprecedented, his speed leaves a bit to be desired.Topaz’s biggest weakness is trying to shut down the true speedsters who can stretch the field. He’s had some success by jamming them at the line to throw off the timing of the routes, and he can use his height and reach to break up some of the passes, but if he bites on a juke or they can get a clean break off the snap, Topaz can get burnt deep. With the high number of deep threat receivers in the ISFL, Topaz may struggle to truly reach his peak at cornerback.
1.) Seer Ial, Speed WR, Apoctopia High School
What makes him special?
Speaking of receivers that Topaz can struggle with, we come to our final player: Seer Ial. Ial is a true burner, running an impressive 4.29 in the 40 yard dash. He is also an excellent route runner, making his breaks on a dime and always getting to the spots required on time. Ial set records at Apoctopia High, catching 72 passes for an incredible 1747 yards and 31 touchdowns his senior year. That’s right, nearly half his catches ended up in the end zone, with many of those coming from maximizing his elusiveness and gaining yardage after the catch. Teams would often try to double team Ial, but very few could do so super effectively as few teams had even one player that could keep up with his speed, let alone two. Ial loves a deep post route, and he’s perfected cutting back early to keep the safety out of the play. When it comes to big plays, there’s few better in the game than Ial.
What’s the downside?
Like many pure speedsters, Ial’s biggest weakness is his lack of size. While he’s got some hops, taller corners can use their height to beat him on jump balls. He’s also not quite as strong as he could be, making those jump balls even tougher. Ial can struggle a bit if a physical player can knock him off his route early and keep him from getting downfield. He can also be a bit of a diva. Ial wants the ball, and if he’s not getting it he’s gonna let you know about it. There was at least one recorded incidence of a broken gatorade cooler after he went catchless in the first quarter. You gotta feed Ial or he may be a problem in the locker room.
So what’s the verdict?
While all 15 of these players had some consideration, it really came down to the top 4 on this list. I really love the potential that Toofcro Domstro brings to the table, but ultimately a player who is already struggling with injuries at a position that is highly competitive was too much of a risk for me to take. I heavily considered inking Jimothy Topaz to a contract, but ultimately I made the decision that I wanted my first player to be an offensive player. Had I gone the defensive route, Topaz would have been the choice. That left me with choosing between Monifa Moon and Seer Ial. Really, they are both similar players who rely heavily on speed, just one’s a running back and one’s a receiver. Ultimately Ial won out in the end, ironically because of his diva nature. Look, I gotta market my own brand here, and what better way to do it than with a player who will just market himself? It’s a no brainer! I do hope these other players get a chance to show their talents to the ISFL in the future, but for now, I’m all in on Seer Ial!
Greetings everyone, I am Grizzly Notabear, a new agent to the ISFL. Some of you may know me from another football league where I represented such talented clients as DeAnderson Sabathia Jr., Twoson Fourside, and Vivian Allison, to name a few. There have been many requests from players in the past to represent them here, and today I will finally be making the leap to the ISFL. Before I introduce my latest client, I will be ranking the top 15 players who reached out to me for the honor of breaking my ISFL cherry. Without further ado, here we go!
15.) Nine Tenths, Possession TE, Vice City High School
What makes him special?
Nine Tenths is the dominant pass catcher out of Vice City High. Standing at a ridiculous 6’6”, Tenths literally towers over his competition. On top of that, his wingspan is through the roof. I’ve seen him catch balls thrown to a different area code! If you can get the football into his general area, he’s making the catch, no questions asked. In fact, he led all Florida high school players with 103 receptions his Senior year. Tenths was also the primary red zone threat for Vice City, catching 11 touchdowns on the season. Just his presence on the field drew attention from any defense he faced, and many believe that his numbers could have been even better had Vice City’s receivers been more talented.
What’s the downside?
Sadly, despite his size and catch radius, Nine Tenths is just not quite as strong as you would expect him to be. He struggles mightily as a blocker, and while you may not need him to block on passing downs, your running backs are going to hate running in his direction. In addition, Tenths is quite slow. I’ve seen turtles run faster than he can. His 103 receptions are a lot less impressive when you realize they were only good for 840 yards. Sure he’s a football magnet and can catch just about anything you throw at him, but once he makes that catch he’s not going anywhere with it. He may have quite a career as a strong red zone receiving threat, but Tenths really doesn’t project to be a full time player at the pro level.
14.) Jacoby Hester, Speed WR, Northern Illinois High School
What makes him special?
Jacoby Hester might be one of the fastest players I have ever seen. A premier deep threat, Hester has the speed to run out of his shoes. Literally, in fact, as he missed half a drive in one game as his cleats basically exploded on a deep slant route. Cornerbacks quickly learned to give Hester lots of breathing room after he opened the season with a 4 catch, 167 yard, 3 touchdown debut. He never matched those highs the rest of the season, but he did end up with 1,012 yards and 12 touchdowns when all was said and done.
What’s the downside?
While the speed is great, his actual catching skills leave a lot to be desired. Hester was a drop machine, committing multiple in just about every game he played. As the season wore on, defenses would give plenty of room in front of him, knowing that even when open, he was a good bet to put the ball on the ground. Getting lucky on a deep bomb would be problematic for them, but taking the risk of Hester getting 12 yards underneath was something many defenses learned to accept. Northern Illinois tried to get Hester involved in more direct ways, including via reverses and even a direct snap now and then, but despite his blazing speed, Hester wasn’t very good at making people miss. Someone will take a chance on him since speed kills, but I don’t see him being anything more than a talented bust.
13.) Jawknee Willicams, Balanced OL, City of Phoenix High School
What makes him special?
If you want a bastion of fortitude, look no further than Jawknee Willicams. Whatever you need, he’s got you. Run blocking? Check. Pass blocking? Check. Taking your daughter out to a romantic candlelit dinner and paying for the whole thing? Check. You name it, Willicams does it. Routinely he will simply overpower the defenders, knocking them down a large percentage of the time. Against the pass, Willicams only allowed one sack all year, and that was mainly due to his quarterback running into him trying to escape the pocket from pressure on the other side. He also did not commit a penalty all season long. You couldn’t ask for a better lineman!
What’s the downside?
If I’m being honest, there really isn’t one. Sure, Willicams might not be the biggest or the fastest lineman out there, but there just aren’t any holes in his game, aside from the ones he creates against the defense. So why is he so low on this list? Well to be frank, I just don’t want my inaugural client to be an offensive lineman. Sure that’s unfair to Willicams, but hey life’s not fair. He’ll be a huge success for someone else, but I need a splashy first client to make a name for myself. Nobody is gonna care about cultivating a lineman even if he averages 150 pancakes a season and makes multiple Pro Bowls. Willicams will be a star, but he won’t be my star.
12.) Co Bee, Nose Tackle DT, Frobe High School
What makes him special?
Co Bee is a large man, clocking in at hefty 6’5”, 345 lbs. Bee could run over any poor sap who tries to block him, making them look foolish every single time. He would constantly face double teams on the field, and even then it was rarely enough to slow him down. Bee lived behind the line of scrimmage, routinely tackling running backs for a loss and pressuring quarterbacks into terrible plays. Bee’s full stats are uncertain, as he threatened to break the knee caps of anyone who tried to keep track of them, but there’s no question that he was the primary reason Frobe High School was league champions two years in a row.
What’s the downside?
While Co Bee was a menace to offenses on the field, he was also a menace to society at large off the field. Football was a great outlet for him to release his rage in a more controlled environment, but it still bled into his interactions at school and at home. Bee was suspended for a week after punching his English teacher for correcting him for saying “poemetry” instead of poetry. In addition, he once brandished a knife at the local pizza parlor when someone said something he didn’t quite agree with. There’s no question Bee has the talent to be a star in this league, but if he can’t clean up his act, there’s a very real chance his career will be over before it even begins.
11.) Nina Skye, Cover CB, Benjamin Franklin High School
What makes her special?
Nina Skye was the top cornerback for Benjamin Franklin High, routinely handling the opponent’s top receiver on the field. Skye has the speed to keep up with just about any player out there, and her instincts frequently allow her to put herself between the ball and the receiver. The only female player in the league, opponents often underestimated her, allowing her to lead all of New York in pass breakups during her senior year. She caught 4 interceptions in the process, and they often came when the team needed them the most. Skye would also moonlight as receiver during clutch time, catching 2 game winning touchdowns.
What’s the downside?
Despite her speed and instincts, there are concerns over Skye’s physical strength. While she’s not weak by any means, she is on the smaller side, making it difficult for her to match up against bigger receivers. There’s not a whole lot she can do if the opponents can just throw the ball over her head. In addition, her hands are not the greatest. While she can catch passes and interceptions at times, Skye is much more adept at knocking balls to the ground rather than securing them herself. Overall, I believe she will be successful locking down the smaller, fast receivers, but her struggles against bigger players will keep her from being a true star.
10.) Gladiator Chavez, Gunslinger QB, Maftopia High School
What makes him special?
When you think of gunslingers, Gladiator Chavez should be one of the first names that comes to mind. He’s got an absolute cannon of an arm, chucking it from one state to another in a single throw. Seriously, get the doctors to check if he’s got a bionic arm in there! Chavez lapped the competition in his Senior year, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. He remains calm under pressure, and is always willing to spend a couple extra seconds in the pocket to make sure his receivers can get deep enough to catch his pass. Chavez is great at dissecting the defense and knowing when he has the opportunity to take a shot downfield.
What’s the downside?
While he’s good at knowing when he can throw downfield, Chavez has the problem of always wanting to throw downfield. Sure, he’s got the arm for all these deep passes, but they aren’t always on target. Don’t get me wrong, his accuracy isn’t too bad, but it is a bit lacking compared to some of the other top quarterback prospects coming out. Additionally, his tendency to stick in the pocket and wait for his receivers to get open is not always a strength, as he often holds onto the ball a bit too long and gets hit by the pass rush. In fact, he took the most sacks in the league as a Senior trying to make plays happen far too often. Chavez definitely has the talent to be a starting quarterback in the league, but given the level of competition around him (and the seemingly negative stigma of the “gunslinger” tag around the league these days), there are safer options to choose for my first client.
9.) Maximus Fleximus, Power K, Mighty Mountain High School
What makes him special?
We just talked about a bionic arm, well how about a bionic leg? Maximus Fleximus is your guy there, as he can boot a football farther than anyone I’ve ever seen. You talk about guys practicing field goals from 60 yards out on their off time, try 80 yards for Mr. Fleximus! Of course, his team has never been brave enough to actually let him try from that far out, but he did nail it home from 50+ yards 5 times during the season, with a long of 57. Overall he went 16/21 on field goals, including 3 game winners within the last minute of the game. He was also automatic on kickoffs, getting touchbacks on all but one of his kicks this season, often booting it clear out the back of the end zone. He may very well have the strongest leg in the entire ISFL at some point in his life.
What’s the downside?
So what’s the problem with the man with the leg of steel? Well, his accuracy leaves a bit to be desired. As mentioned earlier, he was just 16/21 on field goals, and not all of those misses were from long range. It’s a great asset to boot the ball from that distance, but if your hooking kicks even from shorter ranges, it’s tough for a team to truly rely upon you. Also, as I’ve mentioned on a couple of other prospects, the idea of making my premier client a kicker leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I believe he’ll be a success, but he won’t have the starpower I want from my first client.
8.) Nota Polarbear, Versatile LB, Anchorage High School
What makes him special?
Nota Polarbear has everything you want from a professional linebacker. He’s got good speed, big strength, sneaky quickness, strong brains, you name it he’s got it! Polarbear did a bit of everything on the field, racking up 150 tackles, notching 4 sacks, catching 3 interceptions, forcing 2 fumbles, heck he even blocked a punt once! Polarbear was instrumental for his team’s defense, regularly containing the opposing run game while making things difficult in the pass game as well. He was the captain of the defense and always seemed to know where the play was going next. His instincts were simply uncanny.
What’s the downside?
While Polarbear checks all the boxes you want in a linebacker, he is very much a “Jack of All Trades, Master of None” kind of player. He’s got the speed and agility to keep up with most tight ends and pursue many running backs, but the fastest ones will leave him in the dust. He’s got the strength to take down ball carriers, but struggles to break through elite blockers. He’s got the hands to catch interceptions now and then, but not reliably so. He’ll rarely disappoint you, but at the professional level, he projects more as a solid starter rather than a true superstar. He’ll make some team better, but he’s not going to carry a bad team out of obscurity. Plus, his name’s a bit too similar to my own. People might get us confused, and that would be bad for everyone.
7.) Mikel Troot, Center Fielder FS, Anaheim High School
What makes him special?
Mikel Troot might be the best athlete of all these players. He’s got wheels for days, strong as an ox, and the brains of a dolphin. He was the epitome of a Center Fielder Free Safety on the field, able to read the opposing quarterback with ease and cut off many passes before they could arrive to their targets. In fact, he managed to snag a very impressive 9 Interceptions on the season. Even when the opponents tried to throw away from him, his raw speed let him make up ground faster than anyone would anticipate. Troot was also effective in pursuit, racking up 87 tackles despite playing primarily in the secondary. Not only was he team captain of the football team, he was an outstanding three sport athlete, starting at Shooting Guard for the basketball team and playing Center Field as the team captain of the baseball team. With his versatility and raw talent, Troot may become the best player of all these prospects!
What’s the downside?
Sadly, there is one big downside to Mikel Troot: he’s very likely to pursue a career in baseball rather than football. Basketball and baseball tend to be less demanding sports overall, and while he’s a bit undersized to really compete at the pro level in basketball, his baseball skills are top notch. Similar to on a football field, he can cover ground like no one’s business on a baseball field. On top of great defensive skills, he’s got the pop to hit 25+ home runs a season. He may never make Ohtani level money, but it’s clear Troot will has the skills to be a perennial all star on the diamond, and the longevity of a baseball career is much more alluring than that of a football career.
6.) DeAnderson Sabathia III, Return Specialist WR, Memphis High School
What makes him special?
DeAnderson Sabathia III has a special place in my heart: his father and uncle were my very first clients. Sabathia III follows in his father’s footsteps, possessing blazing speed and quickness. He can juke even the craftiest defenders out of their cleats. Much like his father, Sabathia III is a lethal return specialist, returning 2 kick returns and 3 punt returns to the house this season. Even when he can’t break one loose, he is elusive enough to make at least one man miss and get some extra yardage. He averaged a crazy 36.3 yards per return on kickoffs and a whopping 22.1 yards per return on punts. He also wasn’t too shabby on offense, gathering up 7 receiving touchdowns on 737 yards, averaging roughly 27.3 yards per catch.
What’s the downside?
The biggest downside to DeAnderson Sabathia III is that he profiles more as a pure return specialist with depth receiver or gadget play talents rather than a bona fide top tier wide receiver. Much like his father, Sabathia III has struggled quite a bit with drops so far. While his father eventually became a much more dependable pass catcher as he grew older, there’s been no indication thus far that he will see that same improvement. That’s really the biggest concern, as he’s pure electricity with the ball in his hands. He will excel as a return specialist, and he’ll easily break off a few must see highlight plays each season on offense, but there is very much a concern that he will never be truly elite as a receiver. As much as I would love to continue the family legacy (and probably should have ranked him lower than this honestly), I gotta trust my heart and go with one of these other options.
5.) Lemorse the Berserker, Power Rusher DE, Coventon High School
What makes him special?
If you want a big boy to do big boy things, look no further than Lemorse the Berserker. A specimen of pure strength and rage, Lemorse can plow through even the strongest of offensive linemen like they were tissue paper. Likely the strongest player on this list, he was an absolute menace on the football field, racking up a ridiculous 27 sacks this season. Even seeing many double teams, Lemorse showed no mercy and often ran them over anyway. Opponents quickly learned that no rushing play should ever go in his direction, as those linemen would not be making any forward progress on that side of the field. Lemorse was easily the best player on the field week in and week out, and many would love to see him perform at the next level.
What’s the downside?
I mentioned the rage before, and for good reason. Lemorse the Berserker can flip that switch and become a pure unfiltered ball of rage. That’s great when you want him to sack the quarterback. That’s less great when the quarterback gets the ball off early and he’s flagged for roughing the passer, then flagged again for unsportsmanlike conduct when he slams his helmet into the turf. Over the course of the season, Lemorse managed to break 3 helmets and get tossed from a game twice. I love the heart. I love the passion. I don’t love not being on the field. This guy is a suspension waiting to happen. I can’t have him tarnish my reputation. And for that, I’m out.
4.) Monifa Moon, Speed RB, Lunar City High School
What makes her special?
You want someone with extreme speed? Monifa Moon is your woman. She can run laps around just about anyone on the field. She goes from 0 to 100 in the blink of an eye, and you can get dizzy trying to keep up with all her jukes and evasiveness. She may not have the strength to break many tackles once defenders get her hands on her, but that really doesn’t matter if the defenders can never touch her. Routinely Moon would take a toss to the edge and simply outrun the first level and break into the secondary. She averaged a robust 13.2 yards per carry and paced her team with an insane 33 touchdowns. If you think you got her in your sights, then she’s already run past you!
What’s the downside?
While speed kills even at the professional level, Moon’s diminutive size is something of a concern. As touched on earlier, being a smaller running back she lacks the strength that most linebackers possess, making her easy to take down once someone can catch her. It’s easy to break free in high school; it’s much harder to have free reign of the field against the pros. In addition, her pass catching skills are still very raw. While I don’t doubt that she can develop into a two-way threat eventually, it’s definitely not something that she’ll have out the gate. Finally, the running back position may be one of the toughest to standout amongst the crowd at. With running back by committee setups and exotic blocking schemes, many players can have their time in the starlight, which also means many players are easily replaced. Moon’s definitely got the talent to stake a claim at the top, but the fierce competition may end up being too much in the end.
3.) Toofcro Domstro, Scrambler QB, Salem High School
What makes him special?
Well for starters, just look at that name! Toofcro Domstro is a powerhouse of a name, fitting for a powerhouse of a player. Domstro has all the tools needed to be a star quarterback, possessing a strong, accurate arm and the pure instincts necessary to be successful in the pocket. He’s not afraid of staying in the pocket long enough for a play to develop, even if it ends with his back on the grass, so long as the ball makes it to its intended target. What else could you want from a quarterback? What’s that you say? The ability to take off when necessary to extend a play or break off a chunk of yardage to get a clutch first down? Yeah he’s got that too. Domstro has some serious wheels, and isn’t afraid to take off when the situation arises. The ability to punish defenses both through the air and on the ground makes him an absolute terror on the field, one that’s near impossible to stop.
What’s the downside?
That near impossible is holding a lot of weight here sadly as there is one big downside to Domstro: his health. Domstro’s fearless style is great for making plays and being a dominant force while on the field, but he also exposes himself to some nasty hits. He suffered season ending injuries twice during high school, missing the end of his freshman year with a broken leg and almost the entirety of his junior year with a separated shoulder. In addition, he has missed time with a sprained ankle and played through three games with bruised ribs. Domstro can easily be a star in this league, but will he last long enough to do so?
2.) Jimothy Topaz, Physical CB, Hyrule High School
What makes him special?
Jimothy Topaz is the definition of a shutdown corner. His physical presence intimidates even the fiercest of receivers, and at 6’4” he often towers over who he is guarding. Topaz possesses rare strength for a cornerback, and he excels in jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage. He also specializes in maximizing his height and his hops to win jump balls. Few quarterbacks can toss the ball over his head, and even fewer receivers can make the catch afterward. Topaz built himself such a reputation that opposing offenses barely even looked towards his side of the field. He even took advantage of this, popping off the corner on a blitz on occasion to catch an unexpecting quarterback unaware. You couldn’t find a more physical cornerback if you tried!
What’s the downside?
While Topaz’s physical dominance is unprecedented, his speed leaves a bit to be desired.Topaz’s biggest weakness is trying to shut down the true speedsters who can stretch the field. He’s had some success by jamming them at the line to throw off the timing of the routes, and he can use his height and reach to break up some of the passes, but if he bites on a juke or they can get a clean break off the snap, Topaz can get burnt deep. With the high number of deep threat receivers in the ISFL, Topaz may struggle to truly reach his peak at cornerback.
1.) Seer Ial, Speed WR, Apoctopia High School
What makes him special?
Speaking of receivers that Topaz can struggle with, we come to our final player: Seer Ial. Ial is a true burner, running an impressive 4.29 in the 40 yard dash. He is also an excellent route runner, making his breaks on a dime and always getting to the spots required on time. Ial set records at Apoctopia High, catching 72 passes for an incredible 1747 yards and 31 touchdowns his senior year. That’s right, nearly half his catches ended up in the end zone, with many of those coming from maximizing his elusiveness and gaining yardage after the catch. Teams would often try to double team Ial, but very few could do so super effectively as few teams had even one player that could keep up with his speed, let alone two. Ial loves a deep post route, and he’s perfected cutting back early to keep the safety out of the play. When it comes to big plays, there’s few better in the game than Ial.
What’s the downside?
Like many pure speedsters, Ial’s biggest weakness is his lack of size. While he’s got some hops, taller corners can use their height to beat him on jump balls. He’s also not quite as strong as he could be, making those jump balls even tougher. Ial can struggle a bit if a physical player can knock him off his route early and keep him from getting downfield. He can also be a bit of a diva. Ial wants the ball, and if he’s not getting it he’s gonna let you know about it. There was at least one recorded incidence of a broken gatorade cooler after he went catchless in the first quarter. You gotta feed Ial or he may be a problem in the locker room.
So what’s the verdict?
While all 15 of these players had some consideration, it really came down to the top 4 on this list. I really love the potential that Toofcro Domstro brings to the table, but ultimately a player who is already struggling with injuries at a position that is highly competitive was too much of a risk for me to take. I heavily considered inking Jimothy Topaz to a contract, but ultimately I made the decision that I wanted my first player to be an offensive player. Had I gone the defensive route, Topaz would have been the choice. That left me with choosing between Monifa Moon and Seer Ial. Really, they are both similar players who rely heavily on speed, just one’s a running back and one’s a receiver. Ultimately Ial won out in the end, ironically because of his diva nature. Look, I gotta market my own brand here, and what better way to do it than with a player who will just market himself? It’s a no brainer! I do hope these other players get a chance to show their talents to the ISFL in the future, but for now, I’m all in on Seer Ial!