Unit Preview: Northeast High School’s 2020 Defense

Here’s another installment of our 2020 Unit Previews, where we look at offensive and defensive units across Pennsylvania who cast multiple noteworthy prospects. Today, we will be taking a look at an elite defensive unit at Northeast High School in Philadelphia. Six prospects across different classes that are sure to keep this defense thriving for the foreseeable future.

Tyreek Chappell Tyreek Chappell 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Northeast | 2021 State PA - DB 5’11", 165lbs,  Class of 2021 https://www.hudl.com/profile/11814008/Tyreek-Chappell The elite athlete and future Texas A&M star has garnered much attention around the nation as well as this site.  The 8th overall 2021 prospect and 2nd best 2021 defensive back on our rankings, who also landed a spot on our All-City team, can do whatever is asked of him on defense. The four-star DB allowed zero catches during his junior campaign! There isn’t much to be said about Chappell that hasn’t already been said, his versatile game and elite athleticism speaks for itself and makes him one of Pennsylvania’s best players.

Zaire McLaurin Zaire McLaurin 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Northeast | 2021 PA - LB/DB 6’1", 185lbs, Class of 2021 https://www.hudl.com/profile/10206287/Zaire-McLaurin McLaurin is ultimately a disruptor. He primarily plays linebacker but his build and game project him as a safety at the next level.  He is an active player behind the line of scrimmage, who is utilized often by Northeast to blitz the A and B gaps where his somewhat thin frame, combined with his great tackling technique, can create penetration and cause tackles for loss. McLaurin is an opportunist who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He is aware of tipped balls and can run for yards after an interception. He displays good read-and-react ability as well as solid sideline-to-sideline speed, although he isn’t a blazing fast player. He plays the pass well when covering tight ends and running backs on underneath routes. He can be relied on to take away swing and screen plays ran on his side. Elijah Jeudy Elijah Jeudy 6'1" | 208 lbs | DL Northeast | 2021 State PA - DE 6’1", 208lbs, Class of 2021 https://www.hudl.com/profile/11434478/Elijah-Jeudy Juedy is another prospect much like Chappell who has amassed quite a bit of hype, thanks to his elite pass rush skills.  The Georgia-commit is our 11th ranked senior prospect and is the second SEC commit of this group. He is a part of our All-City team and quite honestly would be part of the All-State team easily. Juedy’s a natural pass rusher who displays impressive hand usage and gets upfield in a flash. It starts in the trenches, Juedy’s presence makes life easier for all players behind him. Ken Talley Ken Talley 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Northeast | 2022 State PA - DE 6’1", 200lbs, Class of 2022 https://www.hudl.com/profile/11270362/Ken-Talley Talley is an awesome junior pass rusher and outside linebacker whose game is speed. He plays the game with his head on fire, piggybacking off of Jeudy to create absolute havoc. He frequently forces fumbles and is disrupting plays in the backfield. 2022’s 7th best prospect has the ideal build to play outside linebacker at the next level so long as he continues to chisel out his frame. His elite game speed hasn’t created an undisciplined player which has to be one of his more desirable traits, his ability to be coachable and do what is asked of him. Amara Yobouet Amara Yobouet 6'0" | 255 lbs | DL Northeast | 2021 PA - DT/DE 6’0", 255lbs, Class of 2021 https://www.hudl.com/profile/11667730/Amara-Yobouet Northeast’s best interior defensive lineman and University of Albany commit deserves a little more love from our rankings crew. This kid has a ton of potential to dominate the CAAC. He displays really good athletic ability despite weighing in at nearly 260 pounds. He has a variety of moves in his arsenal, which is a plus, there is some real position versatility with Yobouet. His good body control allows him to duck under lineman’s arms and rip through. He delivers a great punch and can swim over the top too. Great overall hand placement especially with his off-hand when attempting to shed.  His best trait is his acceleration away from his opponent after disengaging. Yobouet can play almost anywhere along the defensive line but thrives as a 3-5-tech. We’d like to see him be more consistent with his get-off. It can be impressive at times but a consistent motor when it comes to a jump off the line of scrimmage could do wonders for the kid. Ronel Nukah Ronel Nukah 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Northeast | 2023 State PA 6’2", 210lbs, Class of 2023 https://www.hudl.com/profile/13348340/Ronel-Nukah When you can make a name for yourself as a freshman along a defensive line that consists of Juedy and Talley, you know there is a special talent currently waiting for his shot. That’s Ronel Nukah Ronel Nukah 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Northeast | 2023 State PA . Nukah is a raw prospect who has long limbs and is a difficult player to get your hands on if you’re an offensive lineman. There aren’t too many reps to watch on his Hudl but you can see the same explosiveness and game-wrecking ability his senior teammates show. Nukah, so long as he continues in his development and his coaches keep him in line, has a bright future ahead of him. We, as well as scouts along the east coast, will certainly have our eyes on this prospect as well as the rest of his teammates.