A round up of Division 1 Football Players in the WNY Area
Another WNY high school football season has passed, and it brings along some old and new names to the ever so tough mountain to climb for Division 1 football, out of New York State. The names soon to be discussed have broken multiple school records and have brought in colleges such as Syracuse, Boston College, Vanderbilt, North Dakota State, and others to soon be named. For some of the names on the list, they still have time as they are not a part of the 2023 recruiting class, and can still fetch offers.
The first Division 1 athlete covered will be Rashard Perry (2023) from Bennett “D1” High School. Perry has been close to a 4 year starter with Bennett and looks the part as he scales in at 6 ‘2 262LBs. In his career at D-LIne, he has recorded 39 Sacks, 250 Tackles, and 50TFLs. This season Perry’s stellar campaign continued as he recorded 9 sacks and 16TFL’s throughout constant double and triple teams. The 3 star has received offers from UB, UConn, and Temple, however, this past April Perry has committed to the rising Syracuse Orange and looks to serve a pivotal role in the coming years.
The 2nd Division 1 athlete that will be covered is also from Bennett, Jayden Lewis (2023). Lewis has contributed to the Tigers since his sophomore year, and has grown into a more expanded role every year. Lewis set a WNY record last season when he recorded 12 interceptions, and took 6 back to house. Even with the reputation of being a ballhawk, Lewis has recorded 5 interceptions this season, and has 17 in his Bennett career. Not only can the senior play in the pass, he has been excellent in run support totaling 140 tackles and 5TFL’s in his Bennett career. What’s unique is the level of play he plays on offense. The Bennett product has 470 rushing yards, and close to 1200 receiving yards, to go along with 14TDs in his career. These impressive numbers have led to offers from Temple, and Boston College, but Lewis has decided to commit to University of Buffalo and stay close to home. Lewis has potential to serve as an immediate impact to the UB Bulls in 2024.
The next prospect up is Jamestown’s own Trey Drake. Drake was a 4 year starter for the Jamestown Red Raiders, and has shown progression in each year. In the Red Raiders career, he has completed close to 60% of his passes (exceptional at the HS level) while throwing for 5,370 yards, and throwing 63TDs to 10INTs. His elite decision making and football IQ was shown off in his senior campaign when he had 24TD passes to 1, yes 1, interception. Not only has Drake improved in the passing categories, he has shown this past season that he can get the job done with his legs. Drake accumulated 241 rushing yards to go along with 6 rushing touchdowns, and the Red Raider offense moved through him. When it comes to offers, the 4 year starter is a fascinating story. Drake, who is also a very good basketball player received an offer from D2 Daeman to play basketball in May, and then received a scholarship from Mercyhurst to play football (also Division 2). Trey’s big break came in late June, and early July when he was flown out to North Dakota State to throw, and was then offered by the FCS powerhouse soon after. Drake, within days committed to NDSU and looks to be one of the next elite quarterbacks to go along with Trey Lance, Carson Wentz, and Easton Stick in past years.
Next on the list is yet another Bennett product, Jameer Thomas (2024). During last summer, Thomas was one of many players to transfer schools for a new opportunity at Bennett and it certainly paid off. The transfer is known for his exceptional speed and shiftiness. Thomas reportedly has a 40 of around 4.3, per the Bennett coaching staff and it is shown on film. Thomas has had multiple 200 yard performances, and in the sectional title game, Thomas had 10 touches for a buck 93 and 2TDs. What’s so unique about him is he can play inside or outside WR, RB, KR/PR, and is also a starting DB for the Tigers. Wherever you put the speedster, one thing is certain, you will get results. Thomas has already received an offer from Akron, and as a 2024 he still has one season to go. Keep an eye out for Thomas in his senior year, as it will just be more of the same from him.
Continuing on is Orchard Park’s own, Dylan Evans (2023). Evans, who is 6-3 185, has been a 3 year starter for the Quakers and has improved each and every year. The wideout has broken almost every record in the book for OP, including some WNY records. Dylan ranks 1st in career receiving TDs (37) in WNY history, 3rd in career receptions (142), and 8th in career receiving yards (2137). Evans in his junior campaign recorded 17TDs which was 5th most in NYS history, and did in fact lead the state in 2021 for TD receptions. From personal experience, Dylan makes a Quarterback’s life much easier with the vast variety of releases he has, along with the size and speed. Evans has collected interest and offers from big time schools such as Vanderbilt, Army, and Marshall. Just a few weeks ago, Dylan made his commitment to a nationally ranked FCS school, University of New Hampshire. Evans looks to help UNH continue their success going forward.
The second lineman covered, and first private school player is Marcus Harrison out of St. Francis (2024). Harrison, a offensive tackle, has NFL size at 6-8 315Bs and has a 7ft long wingspan. Even when Harrison was young, he towered over everyone else and was dominant on the football field. Next season will mark Harrison as a 4 year starter with St. Francis, and he’s really been excellent every season. Harrison with the size and experience has drawn offers from UB, Syracuse, Temple, Pitt, Boston College and Rutgers. Most recently Harrison has received interest from Wisconsin, along with some other big time schools and is a name to most certainly watch going into his uncommitted senior season.
The final player, and certainly not the least is freshman corner Demari Clemons (2026). Clemons, like Thomas, transferred in the summer to be a part of the stacked Bennett roster this season. Clemons, who had a ton of hype coming into the season, met the expectation and had a really solid freshman campaign at the AA level. The freshman recorded 18 tackles, 2 INTs, and 3PDs. Clemons offers a physical style of play and can play in run support when needed. The transfer is referred to by some, as the best man corner in NYS. Clemons has received an offer from Syracuse and UB, and has some interest from Florida State. At this point, Clemons is obviously undecided, and it should be interesting to see what other schools show interest in the next 3 years. For whatever school Clemons commits to, the team will certainly be getting a building block for years to come.
As a high school player myself, I would like to congratulate each one of these guys on their success and commitments (for those that did) and I wish the best for them going forward. It’s no small task coming from New York, a tough recruiting state, to go and end up getting an offer from any of these schools. The time and effort that each of these players take to perfect their craft has finally paid off, and best of luck in the future!
**Stats in any games past Section VI Championships are NOT included**
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