Vote: Who was Connecticut’s top freshman football player of 2023?
The 2023 high school football season is complete and we are going around the East Coast, reflecting on the last few months.
One of the big questions is what newcomers on the scene made the biggest impact to a football program or state even? That’s where freshman that saw extensive playing time come into the mix.
That’s why we ask the question: Who was the top freshman football player of 2023?
We will go state-by-state along the East Coast and once that voting is done, do a final poll including all the freshmen that won going head-to-head.
We’ve selected eight worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.
Voting will end on January 13th, 2024.
Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.
Here are the nominees:
Harry Jones, QB, Trumbull St. Joseph: Jones, who also plays baseball, had a solid first season under center. The freshman completed 99-of-229 passes for 1,050 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ethan Blaize, QB, Waterbury Career Academy: Through nine games this season, Blaize impressed many around the state. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound signal caller completed 62-of-118 passes for 1,010 yards and nine touchdowns.
Devin Cook, RB/DB, Fitch: Cook as a freshman contributed aplenty for Fitch this past 2023 season. The two-way player rushed for 897 yards on 131 carries, scoring six touchdowns. Also made 33 tackles and two for a loss on defense.
Nathan Craft, RB, Holy Cross: The running back made plays on the ground and out of the backfield as well. Craft carried the rock 87 times for 438 yards, four touchdowns and caught 18 passes for 167 yards.
Fabian Rynoso, LB, Danbury: Playing middle linebacker for the Hatters, Rynoso proved to be a tackling machine. Rynoso racked up 70 tackles, eight for a loss, a sack and an interception.
Juluis Mendez, LB, New Britain: Mendez played primarily at outside linebacker and should end up being a 4-starter for New Britain. The linebacker tallied 63 tackles, one sack and an interception.
Gamaliel Ayizano, ATH, Berlin: When it came to freshman defensive backs, Ayizano led them all. The freshman intercepted six passes for Berlin in 2023.
Breydon Evans, ATH, Bloomfield: Evans saw time all over on offense and was a ballhawk on defense. The freshman totaled just around 150 yards on offense and intercepted three passes on defense.
