Queensland’s gridiron top 50: Best under 20 players
Gridiron is Australia’s best kept sporting secret and SEQ is loaded with football top guns primed to reach new heights. Meet the top 50 talents in every corner - male and female - under the age of 20. FULL LIST
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The future of Queensland gridiron is in safe hands with 50 future stars leading the charge.
The American sport - which has to be one of Australia’s best kept secrets - is more accessible than you think and with real international opportunities on offer.
From the Gold Coast Stingrays to the Brisbane breeding grounds in the Rhinos, Bears, Ravens, Thunder and the Raptors, these youngsters are making their mark and earning themselves a spot on the scouting boards of American colleges.
While our ‘Aussie’ top guns perfect their craft, whether it be for their love of the game or for greater heights, feast your eyes on the top 50 under 20 hand picked from five major clubs across the southeast.
BRISBANE RHINOS
Jye Camilleri
Two-way starter Jye Camilerri is a linebacker and starting running back in his third year. He was a Langer Trophy rugby league top gun and that’s not the only sport he stands out in. He has a natural knack for the ball, is hard nosed, physical, elusive and has spectacular vision.
All his rugby league strongpoints follow over into gridiron and if he really wanted to pursue playing College football, he could. He has the most touchdowns this season.
A 16-year-old prospect if ever there was one.
Andre “Dre” Martinez
Although it is the 17-year-olds first year playing, he is proving to be one serious talent. A running back and outside linebacker who you can see carving it up with Camilleri.
He has the running back build, he has natural talent and he has what you cannot teach—patience, the ability to trust your blockers and decisiveness when it is there and when to hit it.
Dre’s trademark is making people miss in open space. He really has it, and he shows up and puts in the work as well which can only see him improve further.
Will Moore
Moore is an offensive lineman with a basketball background. He’s tall and athletic with a bright future. He tells everyone the plays.
There’s little wonder why the 16-year-old is at left tackle, he’s a gun offensive lineman that picks up anything you throw at him.
Joseph “Jojo” Salafai
204cm right tackle Jojo Salafai is one massive player. At just 15 years of age, he’s one where the sky’s the limit.
It’s his second year of playing and his ceiling is huge, it is just a matter of how far he wants to take it. NFL?
Yassir Nimir
Nimir plays as a two way starter, either at x-receiver or defensive back.
It’s his third year playing and the all round athlete can do it all. You put the ball in his hands and he is a show stopper. Sometimes Nimir is put at quarterback and has the ball directly snapped to him to find a way to get him in the game. After all, you’ll do anything to get your star player in the game.
On one occasion in the Rhinos first game of the season, Nimir was running 11-on-one and his rivals all running after him.
Nimir wants to play College Football and everything he is putting into the game now is to achieve his dream of doing so in America.
Jetrin ‘Jett’ Sanjitphun
The 14-year-old receiver was like an all star for the youth team. Now, he’s ready to bring that form into his first year playing juniors.
In terms of football, he’s super bright, understands the game and starts on both offence and defence. He has incredible agility, knows his body very well, has a good burst, focuses on the technicalities of the positions he plays and is very coachable.
Goal: D1 football.
Riley Woods
Woods, a running back for the Men’s team, is a speedy threat with unearthly breakaway speed. He’s physical, and does not dance around. Instead, he just goes and separates from the defence.
Bailey Pearce
This kid has the genes to have a cracking season. His Dad plays for Griffith and his Mom used to play for the Ravens. The 12-year-old has played years but his 1st year with the rhinos. He knows the game very well and his football IQ is beyond his age. Very technical and fundamentally sound.
LOGAN CITY BEARS
CUBS
Orlando Pharoah #5
Pharoah is an all round athlete. He can be put anywhere on the field and has an impact on both sides of the ball.
Vahaki Latu #87
Latu is a first year player and is dominating on both offensive and defensive lines.
Malika Lancaster #8
Fearless. She can play in multiple positions on both offence and defence, especially running the ball.
One to watch in the near future.
Jacob Gorman #17
A quarterback of the future. Gorman has great vision for such a young player and has great leadership qualities starting to develop.
Asaiah Robinson #26
Domination is the word that comes to mind. Whether it be at wide receiver or corner/ safety, this young gun wreaks havoc.
Cam Hanson #4
Hanson’s a natural born leader both on and off the field and has shown amazing growth since his first year.
Although injured in the first game this season, Hanson still shows up to training and runs various drills and warmups. One to keep your eye on as he continues to develop his game.
Ruby Selmes #3
Selmes is a first year rookie, eager to learn. He puts in extra effort at training and on game day.
JUNIORS
Heath Gordon #21
A Natural talent and favourite target for the Bears quarterbacks. He exhibits impressive speed, catching ability and football IQ.
A starter on both offence and defence and can be played all over the field.
Finn Sligo #7
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Sligo is a truly impressive talent in his own right. He has a great love for the sport and backs it up with safe hands, fantastic footwork and speed. He can also slot in at quarterback when needed.
A coach’s dream.
Callum Urquhart #11
Urquhart is the starting line backer and kicker for the Bears Juniors. He has won the coaches trust when putting boot to the ball. Why? He is accurate, reliable and a smart kicker, even putting kick-offs away for touchbacks which is rare in his league.
A great defensive leader.
Zac Attrill #3
Attrill is a tough, reliable talent when running the ball. A powerful downhill runner who can also make opponents miss in space.
A regular face at training and his work ethic shows on the field.
DJ Gray #2
Quick. Like really quick.
Gray can read the play and make quick adjustments and decisions at the cornerback position. He’s a fearless tackler who packs a punch.
He is also a very viable option at wide out.
Jaya McRobb #13
A multi-code wonder. McRobb’s willingness to take the field on offence, defence and specials teams sets a great example for the whole club, not just the juniors.
She has shown a great amount of improvement in her first year with the Bears.
Fraser Kahl #66
Kahl, a keen footballer who has really taken a shine to the offensive line. He has a great understanding of football and isn’t afraid to step in and help his teammates when they need advice.
A tough player who would bring a smile to the face of any coach.
Colby Dennien #12
This youngster is a shining example of the youth program working as it should. Being a graduate from the Cubs, Dennien shows a healthy knowledge of the game and puts it to impressive use.
A solid target for our quarterbacks and a fearless defender who can slot in at quarterback when needed.
Austin “Tex” McCosker #74
In his second year with the Junior squad, Tex is developing his game in leaps and bounds. A great foundation on the O-line as starting centre.
He’s ready to help in any position, training at Running back and showing his aggression on the D-line.
Always locked and loaded with a pep talk to close out training and another player to watch for spectators and club coaching staff.
GOLD COAST STINGRAYS
SENIORS
Taj Bordon
Bordon is the starting quarterback in the senior team at only 18 years of age and is the smartest football player Coach Connor Brewster has ever had.
He’s not the biggest, but he has grit and plenty of it.
Against the Ravens in a recent encounter Bordon got beat up and just kept getting back up. A tenacious competitor.
He has a natural knack for the game and has been playing for four years.
Brayden Field
Wide receiver Brayden Field is an 18-year-old playing his first year in the seniors. He’s one of the most sure handed guys out there, a spectacular one handed catching kind of talent.
“He does not drop shit” according to coach Brewster, which is simply just “unbelievable.” His body movement and body control is ridiculous and he has a mix of speed and strength to go along with it. The all-round package really.
Brewster had high praise for Field, saying the third year player could well and truly don an Australian jersey in the coming years. Why? He’s a good route runner, prototype wide receiver and truly a top tier talent.
Jayden O’Rourke
Towering 19-year-old Jayden O’Rourke is a tight end prospect who has been shown interest by American Colleges. Standing at 207cm, the Stingray is one for the little blackbook.
He has great hands, moves incredibly well for someone of his size, and has 120kgs to bolster his impressive resume. He is a freakishly athletic and very promising talent no doubt on the scouting boards of a couple D1 Colleges.
Kane Mackin
Mackin, defensive end, just came back from Canada where he was playing High School Footballer.
He is deceiving as although he doesn’t look super athletic, he just plays hard and aggressive. One of the biggest hitters going around right now and that’s thanks to his rugby league background which the 19-year-old has transitioned really well from.
Christian Denton
Denton also just came before from Canada playing high school football. He is a great athletic talent and has a nose for the football—he is a defensive Swiss Army knife and plays multiple spots.
Lucas Aufranc
Aufranc is arguably the biggest hitter going around right now. The 19-year-old linebacker has been playing gridiron for five years now so he understands the game extremely well.
Not only is he mentally sound but he has the physical tools to back it up, throwing his body at everything in complete disregard for his body.
An effort player.
Bailey Myers
Rookie wide receiver Bailey Myers has some speed to burn and has all the fundamentals down pat, having strengthened his game in America earlier in the year.
He’s one of, if not fastest guy in the competition.
He has a rugby union background, dealing damage in the centres. Indeed it took the freak athlete no time at all to pick up the game of gridiron.
JUNIORS
Caeden Eastwood
17-year-old fourth year player Caeden Eastwood is the Juniors team captain. He is an aggressive running back and safety on defence with the athletic tools and game IQ to put him on another level.
He’s a smaller guy, but sure packs a mean punch. He’s one of the brightest in the Juniors league, just watch the way he moves his body to do what’s best for the team.
Kenneth Stevens
Stevens is a 17-year-old middle linebacker with an impressive knack for the game. Throw in his athletic ability and expert tackling and you have one of the best defenders in the league. He just does not miss tackles. He reaches out with one hand, and with his grip strength will bring down his rival. Everytime, even if he only gets one hand on them.
Stecens came from the Bears last year and instantly became arguably the best defensive players in the Junior competition.
Patrick Knight
Meet 15-year-old defensive tackle Patrick Knight. He’s a Samoan boy with physical attributes beyond his young age, and movement far better than his size would dictate.
His hand skills and freakish athletic talent paired with his size makes him one of the most dominant players in the juniors competition. He has been a game wrecker so far this season, possessing the ability to “take over.”
Not to mention he picks other guys up when they are down. One for the future.
BAYSIDE RAVENS
JUNIORS
Jobe Tuafale (Defensive End)
Tuafale is an athletic big man, with great hands and footwork on the defensive line.
His explosiveness is a key in winning his plays
Matthew Linnell (QB)
Linnell is one of the Ravens younger players in the team and he sure has a bright future. He plays well above his level of experience and is benefitting from exposure to several sports.
A modern day ‘all rounder’ possessing the ability to get outside of the pocket, throw to all zones and stay composed when under pressure. He is not afraid to run the ball.
Harry Pratt (WR/CB)
A fast and fearless receiver and returner. Pratt has great 360 awareness, is a reliable route runner and makes the most of his opportunities when he is required in defence.
Doug Hambling (WR/Slot Receiver)
Hambling has a unique body type which often creates a mismatch for his opponents. He’s one of the tallest in the competition and is an extremely disciplined tight end/slot receiver.
One of those guys that makes his teammates better by his selfless commitment to lay blocks or play a key role in other units when asked.
Jai Bladen (Middle Linebacker)
Bladen is an uncompromising defender with a good understanding of the game. He puts his body on the line each week for his mates in an effort to slow/prevent the opposition run game.
Edge contain is key to strong performances at the junior level of football and Bladen is a key contributor who recently moved up from Victoria where he represented his state as middle linebacker.
Tyrell Butcher (RB)
A determined ball runner with a great ability to work through tight spaces. Whilst his strength, leg drive etc is key to his short yardage game - it is his composure through traffic that makes him so damaging to opposition defenders.
MORETON BAY RAPTORS
JUNIORS
Denzael Tokoi (Lineman O/D)
This 17-year-old is one of the Raptors biggest lineman and like many others on the team, he can play offence and defence.
He doesn’t so much tackle opposition players, it’s more like he makes them disappear. He is not a player the opposition would choose to run at.
Djimon Stowers-Elemani (Lineman O/D)
15-year-old Stowers-Elemani is more than capable of playing both offensive and defensive line with no shortage of intensity. He always plays with his heart on his sleeve.
A coach’s dream.
Giovanni Stowers-Elemani (Running back)
The older brother of Djimon loves playing receiver but shows his true talent at running back.
He has natural line running ability and adjusts his run in style—something that is hard to teach yet this one makes it seem easy every time he has the ball in hand.
Hunter Harris-Whan (Middle linebacker)
16-year-old Harris-Whan is the leader on defence with nine+ sacks for the year. He brings his rugby league background into play with his uncompromising attitude, tackling and defensive reads.
Johan Taungatua (Outside linebacker)
16-year-old Taungatua plays multiple positions on the field but is in his element at linebacker with several touchdown saving tackles to his name so far this season.
Kazoia Newick-Mathew (Quarterback)
With a massive arm and very quick feet, the 17-year-old has well and truly come into his own at quarterback, running most of the onfield offensive plays from what he sees in front of him, not using any guidance from the sideline.
Kelli Kassulke (Strong safety)
Kassulke is a very adaptive defensive player with multiple intercepts this season. He has a fantastic sense of where the opposition is going to throw the ball on every play.
Preston Harris (Free safety)
Harris has had some success while playing wide receiver but shines like a beacon on defence. With several intercepts and open field score saving tackles to begin the season, Harris has put on a brutal defensive display.
As co/captain of the juniors team, he is indispensable when the Raptors take the field on both sides of the ball.
Soup Fifita (Linebacker/quarterback)
Fifita has a knack for finding and stopping the run on defence but as back up quarterback he is also responsible for throwing three touchdowns in just two games this season.
He can play most positions on the field on either side of the ball with ease and the 16-year-old talent is one of the better utilities out there.
Toby Joshua (Fullback)
Joshua suits the fullback position because of his elusive speed and strength which make him one powerful threat. Mix this with his catching ability and you have a playing arsenal extremely equipped for someone just 15 years of age.
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