"Built Like a Problem, Wired Like a Playmaker"

Camden Charland

@Camdenchar1

5'11, 170lbs, Class of 2030

Ochard Park Middle School, NY

Camden put together the kind of 8th-grade season that makes people stop and pay attention. Finishing with 36 rushing touchdowns and 28 passing touchdowns in 13 combined games between 2 teams, he turned every game into a nightmare for defenses trying to figure out how to slow him down. One drive, he was bulldozing through defenders on the ground, the next, he was picking teams apart through the air while commanding the offense with confidence far beyond his age.

Camden says his game has changed drastically over the last few years. Early on, contact used to bother him, and mistakes could stay in his head too long. But with help from his coaches, he developed a completely different mentality. Instead of letting one bad play snowball into another, he learned to move on instantly and attack the next snap with confidence. That mindset completely changed the way he approaches football. Now every time he touches the field, he carries himself like nobody can bring him down once the ball is in his hands.

That confidence exploded all season long as defenses struggled to handle the pressure he creates as a dual-threat quarterback. Camden loves being able to threaten defenses both through the air and on the ground because opponents are constantly forced to guess wrong. If defenders stack the box, he can make them pay with his arm. If they back up to defend the pass, he attacks downhill and turns broken plays into explosive gains. He takes pride in being a leader and controlling the game with both skill sets.

The biggest area Camden improved this season was his work ethic, along with his throwing mechanics and reads. He knows there’s another level waiting for him as a passer, and that has become a major offseason focus. Becoming more dangerous through the air while still keeping defenses terrified of his legs could make him even tougher to contain moving forward.

On defense, Camden plays with the exact same aggressive mentality. He loves playing downhill at linebacker and attacking the backfield, looking to create chaos. Physical football no longer scares him. He embraces it. He wants to make impact plays, deliver big hits, and disrupt offenses before plays even have a chance to develop.

One moment from this season still stands above the rest. Against Lancaster, Camden ripped off 7 straight rushing touchdowns on 7 runs. Three of those touchdowns got called back by penalties, but nothing changed mentally for him. No frustration, no panic, and no loss of confidence. He simply lined back up, believing the next carry was headed to the end zone, too. That game became confirmation of the confidence and belief he carries every time he steps on the field.

Adversity tested him in a major way later in the season when he played through 2 games with a broken wrist. Instead of backing away from contact or changing how he competed, Camden kept fighting through it and continued playing his brand of football. Those moments revealed toughness and resilience that can’t be taught. Even while hurt, he refused to let the injury change who he was as a player.

When pressure rises, and the lights get bright, Camden keeps things simple. Trust what you do best, attack without fear, play with confidence, and let the game come naturally. That mentality pours through every part of the way he competes, and it’s a huge reason why his game continues climbing higher and higher.

I assess that Camden is an explosive young playmaker with a dangerous dual-threat skill set and a fearless mentality. His ability to create damage both through the air and on the ground puts defenses on notice. The toughness he plays with on defense and the confidence he carries offensively make him stand out even more. His willingness to battle through injury also speaks volumes about his competitive fire and toughness.

Camden already has many of the tools coaches search for in young quarterbacks. Size, athleticism, toughness, leadership qualities, and playmaking instincts all stand out immediately. As his passing game, reads, and mechanics continue improving, his ceiling becomes extremely high. The confidence, physicality, and edge he brings every snap make him an athlete who should continue turning heads as he enters the high school level. Stay tuned.