SNE was present at every New England Showday event throughout the circuit tour, which began on Monday, May 11, 2026, in Connecticut and wrapped up on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Massachusetts. Over 150 college coaches from different states visited the area to evaluate emerging high school football talent for possible recruitment into their programs. In this report, I will highlight several players from Suffield Academy that I knew and was able to observe in person, as well as others who impressed me during the live evaluation event.
Connecticut Show Day: Suffield Academy Standouts, Eye Test, Skill Notes.
The Breakdown: A superb athlete who I’ve had on my radar for some time, Bearden did not disappoint. He displayed blazing speed on deep routes and an elite ability to react and transition during position-specific drills. His hands are reliable, and his intermediate route-running is remarkably advanced for his class. He is a “must-watch” for any coach looking for a fluid, twitchy playmaker.
The Breakdown: Sims possesses the “long and lean” frame that defensive back coaches covet. His length is immediately apparent, but it’s his movement patterns that seal the deal. He displayed a smooth backpedal and a notable burst when breaking on the ball. With fluid hips and FBS-level measurables already in place, Sims is a high-priority “tap-in” for the upcoming camp season.
The Breakdown: You simply cannot teach 6’6″ and 280 lbs as a rising sophomore. Boniface is a physical “eye-test” winner who moves surprisingly well for his size, flashing active feet and legitimate FBS physical measurables. While he is still somewhat raw in his football development, his ceiling is massive. He is a high-upside recruit who will blossom with continued coaching.
He earned a verbal offer from Buffalo after the event.
The Breakdown: Young is built like a veteran upperclassman. He uses his strong frame to his advantage, mixing athleticism with explosive burst. What stood out most were his strong hands; he made several difficult catches during the “routes-on-air” portion of the showcase. He is a high-skill-set prospect with a very bright future.
The Breakdown: Mckenzie has the prototypical quarterback build and a tight spiral that pops off the hand. He showed a great blend of power and touch, but his leadership during the routes-on-air portion was equally impressive. As a dual-threat prospect, he demonstrated fluid direction changes and a good burst during agility drills. He is a young general to keep a close eye on.
He earned verbal offers from Lehigh and Dartmouth Coaches who were in attendance after the event.
