BY now you all should know several of the hottest young prospects in the game.

Either you’ve heard names like North Queensland flyer Gideon Gela-Mosby in the media or seen them in action ala Kalyn Ponga during the finals series.

But what about the rest of them?

Each year several players spring out of nowhere, from Melbourne’s Suliasi Vunivalu during an injury crisis to Parramatta’s Bevan French in the Auckland Nines.

Round 20

With pre-season training underway for several clubs and the graduates of the Holden Cup desperate to impress, we’ve run our eye over the next crop of hungry youngsters pushing for an NRL nod in 2017.

BRISBANE

Patrick Carrigan — forward

He started the 2016 on the bench in the Holden Cup side and finished as a starter.

Furthermore he claimed the 20s best forward and NYC player of the year awards at the Broncos Presentation Ball.

At 99 kilos, the teenager is only 18 and can play lock or prop.

While he’ll start 2017 playing 20s, look for Carrigan to make a push for a bench spot during the Origin period.

Brisbane centre Gehamat Shibasaki. Source: News Corp Australia

Also keep an eye out for Gehamat Shibasaki.

He’s a left centre with a vicious fend and fancy footwork. Equally as strong in defence, Shibasaki was the second highest try scorer in the NYC side.

An U18s Schoolboys and QLD State of Origin representative, look for the teenager to make a push for the edge vacated by Jack Reed.

CANBERRA

Nick Cotric — centre

Nick Cotric playing Schoolboys for Australia. Source: News Corp Australia

If the name sounds familiar, it’s because it should.

A member of the New South Wales under-18s Origin side this year, Cotrick recently re-signed with the Raiders on a fulltime deal.

Such is his potential, the club moved fast to secure his signature until the end of 2018 off the back of a standout year in the Holden Cup.

An Australian Schoolboys representative, Cotrick has been likened to a young Josh Dugan and can play both centre and fullback.

CANTERBURY

Zac Woolford — hooker

Moving to the Bulldogs from Canberra, the little rake can do it all.

A goal kicker, Woolford nailed 64 goals in the NYC this year, the third highest for the season.

The son of Raiders great Simon Woolford, Zac’s pathway to the NRL has been blocked by Josh Hodgson, Kurt Baptiste and Adam Clydesdale.

A crafty no.9, Woolford played a major role in the NSW under 20s 36-22 win over Queensland earlier this year.

A smart runner, Woolford finished his time in the 20s with 23 line break assists in 2016 and arrives at the kennel on a two-year-deal.

CRONULLA

Jayden Brailey — hooker

Holden Cup player of the year Jayden Brailey at the Dally M Awards. Source: News Corp Australia

The Cronulla skipper finished his 20s season with the most try assists in the competition with 31 which gives you an idea of what kind of player he is.

Likened to a young Mick Ennis, made the second most tackles in the 20s competition behind Nat Butcher which shows he doesn’t shy away from the hard work.

Named the 2016 NYC player of the year, the 20-year-old trained with the NRL side in the pre-season and will join the fulltime squad in 2017.

A former Australian Schoolboy, Brailey played 26 games in 2016 and highly likely to make several appearances in first grade next season.

MELBOURNE

Brandon Smith — hooker

The North Queensland no.9 made 26 line breaks in the NYC, second only to his teammate Marcus Jensen.

The 20-year-old New Zealand product joins the Storm ahead of season 2017 on a three-year-deal as the heir to Cameron Smith’s jersey.

A junior Kiwi’s representative, Smith’s is a natural ball runner and strong defensively.

Smith begins pre-season in a few weeks and will push for his NRL debut during the Origin period.

GOLD COAST

Brian Kelly — centre/wing

Brian Kelly in action. Source: News Corp Australia

Moving into the fulltime squad after being a standout in their 20s side, Kelly will push for a place on the wing with Josh Hoffman and David Mead leaving the club.

A Ballina product, the 20-year-old represented the NSW under 20s side in 2015 and 2016.

With speed to burn, fast feet and a step to match, Kelly’s agility is his greatest asset.

He trained with the NRL side ahead of this season in the build up to the Auckland Nines and will get his chance to push his claims for a first grade start in the trials.

NORTH QUEENSLAND

Marcus Jensen — wing

The 20-year-old joins the fulltime squad after graduating from the Holden Cup this year.

Jensen recently re-signed with the club for another two seasons after an impressive year.

Jensen featured in Queensland’s under 20s State of Origin side thanks to his ability to find the try line.

A prolific finisher, Jensen was not only top try scorer for the Cowboys’ 20s, he topped the entire NYC competition with 27 tries in 2016.

PARRAMATTA

Alex Twal goes in for a try during a trial game. Source: News Corp Australia

Alex Twal — forward

A Junior Kangaroo and NSW under 20s representative, the prop is a graduate of the NYC.

At 20, Twal is pushing for a place on the bench but is expected to start the year with Wentworthville.

The prop extended his contract until the end of next season.

Also keep an eye out for NYC half Troy Dargan and Queensland 20s representative backrower Jack Morris.

MANLY

Billy Bainbridge — backrow

The 19-year-old is a local Manly product.

After spending the last two seasons in the 20s side, Bainbridge made his NRL debut in round 26 with a strong showing off the bench.

A lock-backrower, Bainbridge is tough.

A hard worker, similar to that of Dale Finucane, Bainbridge will start the season playing Intrust Super Premiership as he continues to develop his game.

WESTS TIGERS

Esan Marsters of the Junior Kiwis is tackled. Source: Getty Images

Esan Marsters — backrow

A junior Kiwi representative, Marsters is one of several players expected to make their NRL debuts for the Tigers next year.

While his 20s teammate Jacob Liddle tasted first grade in 2016, Marsters and forward Taniela Paseka join the fulltime squad.

A strong ball runner who packs a mighty hit in defence, Marsters also represented the Cook Islands last year.

With footwork someone weighing 110 kilos shouldn’t have, Marsters made 101 tackle breaks for the Tigers, the most for anyone in his team.

NEWCASTLE

Luke Yates — forward

The 21-year-old spent 2016 playing Intrust Super Premiership where he had a solid season and picked up the Knights’ player of the year award.

In his third year training with the NRL side, the hard ball runner is making a big push for his first grade debut in 2017.

By now you know the names Cory Denniss, Brock Lamb and Jack Cogger but several of their NYC teammates are special talents. Keep an eye out for 19-year-old backrower Zac Hosking. A ranging thing, Hosking runs hard and has some handy footwork.

SOUTH SYDNEY

Tyrell Fuimaono — backrow and lock

Tyrell Fuimaono during a Parramatta training session. Source: News Corp Australia

The Junior Kangaroos centre joins South Sydney from Parramatta.

A NSW 20s representative, Fuimaono can play centre or on an edge.

With so much potential, the Rabbitohs have signed the 20-year-old on a three-year-deal which keeps him in Redfern until the end of 2018.

He finished the year off with 144 tackle breaks, the second most offloads in the NYC with 46 and with the second most run metres behind Nat Butcher with 4171.

PENRITH

Oliver Clark — forward

An Australian Schoolboys representative, Clark captioned the Panthers’ NYC side in 2016.

Now 20, the 108 kilo forward moves into the first grade squad as he pushes his claims for an NRL nod.

Signed until the end of 2018, Clark and several of his Holden Cup teammates are expected to have bright futures.

Also keep an eye out for Soni Luke, Tyrone May and Dylan Edwards next season.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA

Josh Kerr — forward

A young Josh Kerr in Melbourne. Source: News Limited

Joining the club from Melbourne, Kerr was one of the most in demand forwards off-contract in the NYC.

At 198cm and 115kgs, the 20-year-old can play in the middle or on an edge.

A member of Queensland’s under 20s side this year, Kerr will push for a place in the Dragons NRL side following the exit of Mike Cooper although he’ll probably see plenty of Intrust Super Premiership action with the Cutters.

Also keep an eye out for NSW 20s fullback Matt Dufty.

Dufty recently re-signed until the end of 2018 and finished the 20s season as the second highest try scorer.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Nat Butcher — lock

Roosters captain Nat Butcher celebrates victory after the 2016 Holden Cup U20s Grand Final. Source: News Corp Australia

Captain of the Roosters’ 20s side, the lock-backrower has already tasted the NRL.

At 19, Butcher still has a year of NYC left but will get plenty of game time with Wyong as Trent Robinson prepares him for first grade.

A former Australian schoolboy, Butcher was named at lock in the NYC team of the year.

Butcher topped the NYC tackle count with a massive 1049 for the year.

Also keep an eye out for hooker Grant Garvey.

Like Butcher, the 20-year-old has already made his NRL debut.

The hooker popped up in round 22 against with a 14 minute stint against Penrith.

WARRIORS

Ofahiki Ogden — forward

The 20-year-old is a graduate of the Warriors NYC side and will push for an NRL nod next season.

A big backrower, Ogden can also play in the middle.

Tipping the scales at 102 kilos, the Kiwi is signed until the end of 2017 and spent some time playing in the Intrust Super Premiership this year after playing every 20s game in 2015.

Also keep an eye out for young half Erin Clark. The 19-year-old is a five-eighth is the son of Silver Ferns netball great Temepara Bailey. Clark is a representative of New Zealand’s Merit side.

This writer is on Twitter @Nath_Ryan

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