2022 Semipro Coast To Coast Elite: Numbers 65-41

Embed from Getty Images

The list of the best players in Semipro expanded. With the inclusion of more leagues, spots became tougher to grab.

For the last few years, I’ve tried to compile the best of the best in the APDFL. However, nothing stands still. As a result, I’ve expanded the list in a couple of ways. First, the Coastal Football Alliance, and the Mountain West Football league joins the APDFL on this list. Lastly, we expanded the list to sixty-five. Three leagues demand a bigger list. Semipro evolves, and so do we.

Criteria

As always, the requirements stay exactly the same. The strength of competition stands tall. We know that anyone can excel versus weaker competition. Yet, the question remains. How did you fare versus the better competition? Next, quality stats should be taken into consideration. Padding numbers and to be honest, outright foolery via the stats earns an immediate disregard. Most importantly, the quality film must make its way to me. Now, film, not spliced highlight clips, help to give depth to a player.

65. Jaxen Lyons (OL, Idaho Mustangs)

Rationale: The Mustangs bludgeon opponents with a powerful run game. Averaging 227 yards on the ground can’t be overlooked. Lyons will get after defenders looking to face him with speed. Better feet than expected. Should continue to impress.

64. Chance Hudson (WR, Treasure Valley Invaders)

Rationale: Not the biggest or strongest. However, Hudson finds the weak spot in the zone, sits down, and presents a surehanded target. Not to mention, the player changes in the red zone. With more film, Hudson should rise up this list in the next few seasons.

63. John West-Grant (CB, Georgia Thrashers)

Rationale: No player on this list fought harder to make this list. Grant built confidence during the season. Surprising most with his ability to mirror and stay with wideouts. The only drawback? Ball skills need to meet his coverage ability.

Around Full Press Coverage

NFL OPINION: The Brutal End?: Raiders Close 2022 With Grueling Schedule

NEWS: NFL Opinion: Watson Enablers Flushed Credibility Early In Process

NFL: Have the Green Bay Packers Assembled a Super Bowl Defense?

FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football: Rookie Running Back Rankings Post-NFL Draft

NHL: Auston Matthews to The Desert Doesn’t Seem Plausible

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 42: Deebo Samuel Requests Trade; Possible Landing Spots

62. Mercy Matautia (OL, Utah Revolution)

Rationale: Leverage and toughness. Proverbially, the ” fight in a phone booth” player. Matautia thrives along the line. His demeanor stands out most. From snap to whistle, expect a bloodynosed brawl.

61. Sam Washington (DE, Georgia Cobras)

Rationale: Flashed early with quickness and explosion off the edge. Tallied double-digit sacks. Displayed decent bend and ability to close on the ball.

60. Markus Conerly (DB, Bayou Lacombe Cardinals)

Rationale: Opportunistic corner that feasts on poor quarterback play. Late hands help jar the ball loose.

59. Christian Bartley (K, Florida Falcons)

Rationale: Money kicker that delivered key wins versus the Georgia Cobras. Ice water in veins. The most impressive Falcon all season long. Turns close games into wins.

58. Logan Bowers (RB, Idaho Mustangs)

Rationale: Bruising back that led the MWFL in rushing yards, average, and touchdowns. The first of only three running backs on this list. The best running back in Semipro that no one knows.

57. Michael Barday (DT, Georgia Thrashers)

Rationale: Despite absorbing blockers, shows the agility to disrupt the run game. Lived in the backfield on a weekly basis. The talent to dominate immediately. Fourteen tackles for loss on that talented of a defensive front stands out. Barday features power behind heavy hands.

56. Nolan Fay (OL, Idaho Mustangs)

Rationale: Key component of the running game. The Mustangs make no bones about how they choose to play. Behind Fay, the endeavor to run the ball until the defender collapses.

55. Martin Green (OL, Georgia Thrashers)

Rationale: Green earned the respect of opponents with his attention to spatial awareness and ability to keep calm when the opponent sent extra rushers. Toiled in silence, but met opponents with violence.

54. Matthew Kelly (ATH, East Alabama Predators)

Rationale: The heart and soul of the Predators’ organization. Kelly played everywhere from linebacker to center. Granted, while he does use technique veteran guile, the player accepts any challenge in front of him. No team depends on any player more.

53. Jamal Walters (WR, Crescent City Kings)

Rationale: Trusted route-runner that saves his scores for big moments. Six of his eight scores came against playoff teams. Walters fights for every yard versus elite competition. Three of his last six catches ended up in touchdowns.

52. Dion Graham (QB, Georgia Cobras)

Rationale: Veteran leader and accurate passer seem to improve with age. Graham, even when under pressure will find the open receiver. How long will he play? Completing at least sixty percent of his passes shows touch and a command of the offense.

51. Sedric Jefferson (ATH, Georgia Thrashers)

Rationale: For the first time, a backup quarterback graces this list. Jefferson stepped up in a pinch, repeatedly for the Thrashers. A safety by trade, he looked comfortable in the pocket and outside of contain. Could start at quarterback on many Semipro teams.

50. Bobby Ponds (DB, East Alabama Predators)

Rationale: The ability to track the ball led to Ponds’ entry. Granted, the Predators struggled mightily, and teams targeted Ponds. Yet, he made the picks. With that said, the penchant for gambling and overaggression on route diagnosis needs work.

49. Darrin Arline (WR, Bayou Lacombe Cardinals)

Rationale: Despite playing hundreds of snaps at wideout, Arline continues to bring speed and playmaking to the table. Averaging twenty yards per catch, in any league must be commended.

48. Chris Mccarroll (OL, Alabama Blackhawks)

Rationale: A lesson in determination. Along with sound technical blocking that uses power and leverage, Mccarroll’s mental toughness showed itself. With all of the surrounding change, Mccarroll remains constant.

47. Marcus Brooks (QB, Columbus Storm)

Rationale: If a season-ending did not halt Brooks, the Storm could have made a deeper playoff run. Brooks’ quick release fit Columbus like a glove. Commanded the huddle and didn’t allow teams to rattle him. From Macon to Thomasville to Columbus, Brooks’ Semipro journey saw him earn his respect.

46. Jervious Epherson (QB, Bayou Lacombe Cardinals)

Rationale: The APDFL leader in passing yards and touchdowns. Epherson blends touch with the daring to test any secondary deep. With another season under his belt, Epherson could challenge for OPOY. Gamechanging numbers for Semipro.

45. Xavier Chatman (WR Bayou Lacombe Cardinals)

Rationale: No receiver gave the Crescent City Kings fits like Chatman. Patient in his patterns, he provides his quarterback with a viable target.

44. Austin Indingaro (WR, Northern Utah Revolution)

Rationale: Part of the Revolution’s talented tandem. Most dangerous at the top of his routes where quick feet will gain separation.

43. Alphonso Thompson (DB, Northern Utah Revolution)

Rationale: Ballhawking safety that led the MWFL with six interceptions. In addition to ball skills, Thompson will ramble downhill and make the ballcarrier rethink his position choice. Heady player that senses the flow of the passing game.

42. Eddie Graham (OL, Bayou Lacombe Cardinals)

Rationale: The ultimate team leader and hard worker. Opponents prepare for a lineman adept at both pass and run blocking. The heartbeat of their offensive line. Offseason work continues to pay off.

41. Joseph Weathersby (DB, Crescent City Kings)

Rationale: While the numbers didn’t match previous years, Weathersby matured into a better player. Instead of gaudy numbers, Weathersby is beginning to understand the nuance.

The Tandem

After a few years of compiling lists, for the first time, a pair of players actually command the same spot. Jerron Washington and Carlos Coler anchor the Kings’ line. They play perfectly together. On their own, they are night and day. Coler, a year removed from a hand injury that ended his season, is the intuitive rusher. Meanwhile, Washington upped his game. The other Kings earned lofty accolades, but these two make that defense tick. Semipro requires a talented front. These two provide it.