By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/YouTube TV
I love this time of year in high school football. We have playoffs coming up in three weeks, and college recruiters will be coming to playoff games and high schools in November to look at kids again, hoping to see improvement or to find late risers for their programs.
Pineville High School has a few kids who could sign, or walk on, with colleges. Most of these kids just need some college to give them that chance to play football at the next level – be it FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA or junior college. It’s all about finding the right fit where opportunity exists to get better and get on the field sooner than later.
Since the transfer portal came into play, many really good high school football players have been passed by for Division I opportunities. Scholarships are given to older players who are in the portal and don’t have to adjust to college football at the D-1 level.
Hopefully more high school kids will get offers in 2023. I think gradually things will shift back that way.
As I considered some sleepers from Pineville High School, I had the advantage of seeing some of these kids play last season. I talked with Rebels coach Bryant Bell to get his opinion, especially on some of the newer kids on this 2023 squad.
All players discussed below are Class of 2024 seniors for Pineville High School.
Quarterback Jaylan Witty (6-2, 185) has a strong arm, and has a great football IQ. Coach Bell loves how he’s a great teammate. Like coach, I believe he can play D2 football all day long or if he wants, Division III. If he is given just a NAIA shot then I think Witty would be a great player to do well there and have a chance, if he wants, to move up in a year or so to a D2 or FCS program.
I love how he competes and has a great frame to fill out even more in college to maybe 210 pounds.
The Rebels have an interesting WR/slotback in Jaylen Fortson (5-7, 160). I saw him play as a sophomore. Coach Bell and I agree he has good agility, great hands, and most of all coach loves how elusive he is with the ball in his hands. I’d project him at the D3 or NAIA level because he’s not too big.
Sebastian Molette (5-11, 200) is versatile and plays TE/HB/DE for Pineville. I see him as a sleeper H-back/FB in college because he’s strong. Coach Bell likes his improved top-end speed. Molette is a late bloomer who projects at the D3 or NAIA level, but is somebody who could walk on to an FCS program and develop.
Next, WR Erick Frazier (6-2, 195), who I am intrigued by because I did not see this kid play yet. Coach Bell said he’s got upside. Frazier is obviously a tall and rangy player who has top-end speed. He runs a legit 4.6 forty. He is a young senior who with a redshirt year could develop. He’s another late bloomer, possibly a good fit at D3 or NAIA. He could be a quality FCS walk-on if he develops.
Up front, Pineville has OL/DL Keenan Taylor at 6-0, 285. Again, I haven’t seen this kid play because he’s a late bloomer. Coach loves his quick feet, and says he’s very strong. He is a leader and coach says he loves playing on the line. Taylor’s a prospect at the D3/NAIA level, or junior college.
Another big man to watch is OL Aden Gaines (6-4, 330). He is new to football in 2023. He’s raw but has tremendous upside with that size and opportunity to develop.
He’s a fit for D3 programs but could be a steal for an FCS program as a walk-on, somebody who might develop and become a starter in time. You can coach a lot of experienced players but when there’s no longstanding flaws to fix, and a kid has that kind of frame, if he’s got some OL toughness and drive, he’s one to watch.
One last thing to consider: college football has a lot of levels. It’s not all about playing in games on TV. It’s about finding the right fit on a campus and with a program. These Rebels and players from other local schools can extend their careers if they look around and keep options open.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com