--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The following preview is exclusive to members of the media covering local high school players as well as those considering a piece focusing on the rise in college scholarships being offered well before student/athletes ever step into a high school. Alan Popadines, Youth1’s football National Scouting Director/Football Editor, is available for interviews/email inquiries at APopadines@Youth1.com.
Who: Youth1 Media, the nationwide resource for year-long youth sports coverage and content focusing on athletes in grades six through eight
What: is debuting its highly anticipated Class of 2020 Freshman450 and 700 player Watch List on Youth1.com tomorrow. The lists represent an in-depth examination of developing talent nationwide observed by attending events, viewing highlight videos, speaking with coaches and interviewing players.
Significance: As the Freshman450 marks its fourth year, Youth1 reports a five-times-over surge in college-scholarship offers to this age group
Commentary: “College football programs are actively and aggressively pursuing middle-school-aged youth football standouts, causing a firestorm on both sides of the discussion for and against such practices. Some argue youth football is catching up, so to speak, with youth basketball, hockey and soccer – where the signing of 13-year-olds is commonplace in the latter two. And, at a time when we have teens representing our country on the world’s biggest sports stage – the Olympics – the question of ‘How old is too young?’ could not be more relevant,” said Popadines.
Breakdown: The following is a breakdown of the number of players to watch by state followed by the number of scholarship-offer athletes in parentheses. For a complete list of names/hometowns/high schools, email carin@cmmstrategic.com:
| Alabama: | 8 | ||
| Arizona: | 8 (1) | ||
| Arkansas: | 1 | ||
| California: | 55 (7) | ||
| Connecticut: | 8 (1) | ||
| Delaware: | 2 | ||
| Florida: | 67 (7) | ||
| Georgia: | 55 (10) | ||
| Hawaii: | 5 (2) | ||
| Illinois: | 5 | ||
| Indiana: | 5 | ||
| Iowa: | 1 | ||
| Kansas: | 2 | ||
| Kentucky: | 8 | ||
| Louisiana: | 12 (1) | ||
| Maryland: | 15 | ||
| Massachusetts: | 5 (1) | ||
| Michigan: | 10 (5) | ||
| Minnesota: | 3 | ||
| Mississippi: | 6 | ||
| Missouri: | 5 | ||
| Nevada: | 10 | ||
| NJ: | 17 | ||
| North Carolina: | 12 (1) | ||
| NY: | 3 | ||
| Ohio: | 8 (1) | ||
| Oklahoma: | 3 | ||
| Oregon: | 7 | ||
| Pennsylvania: | 2 | ||
| South Carolina | 4 (1) | ||
| South Dakota: | 5 | ||
| Tennessee: | 19 (2) | ||
| Texas: | 50 (1) | ||
| Utah: | 4 | ||
| Virginia: | 15 (7) | ||
| Washington: | 7 | ||
| Wisconsin: | 1 |