2021 Defensive Sleepers: Five Names to Know

<span style="font-weight: 400;">It has been said time and again, and it will continue to remain factual, there is a massive amount of athletic talent roaming the high school campuses of Colorado.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">In today’s game, football defenses need versatile players in every position to counter any offensive scheme that teams will face. From the line to the secondary, having defensive players who can adapt and adjust to offensive players and systems is a must.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Below is a list of five defensive seniors who are pivotal pieces to their teams, yet are still flying under-the-radar. </span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="46107" first="Michael" last="Lee Jr"]. | ThunderRidge | DE</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Lee Jr. is arguably one of the top edge rushers in the state with the least amount of attention, for now. At 6-foot-4 and 220lbs, Lee Jr. brings a versatile skill set that enables him to set the edge and bring tremendous pressure from the outside or provide interior disruption as a 3-technique. The excellent pass rusher is explosive off of the snap and relentless with his pursuit. Lee Jr. has been working hard this offseason to elevate his game and perfect his craft, fine-tuning his block-defeating techniques and pursuit skills. After watching his film, it comes as an absolute shock to learn that he is still under-the-radar.</span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="46108" first="Kamari" last="Lewis-Stallworth"] | Smoky Hill | Safety</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">This 5-foot-11 athlete is a phenomenal coverage safety and a powerful hitter. Lewis-Stallworth plays in a scheme that utilizes him as a single deep safety, allowing him to showcase his excellent coverage skills. He is a disciplined player who knows to stay over the top of the play while watching the quarterback. His breaks are instinctual, and his ability to track the ball is superior. On any play that is either a run or a pass thrown to an underneath route, expect for Lewis-Stallworth to come flying downhill and deliver a devastating hit. He is adding receiver work to his impressive resumé for his senior season, raising his stock as a valuable athlete. Lewis-Stallworth is a ball-hawking, wood-laying safety with a high football IQ who is looking to turn his few college looks into a plethora of offers.</span> [caption id="attachment_44635" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-44635" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/213CB182-5943-4AC8-B334-B70B7EF4A332.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> [player_tooltip player_id="44634" first="Elijah" last="Graham"][/caption]<b>[player_tooltip player_id="44634" first="Elijah" last="Graham"] | Cherokee Trail | Safety</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Graham is a standout player who transferred from Washington and is working hard to prove that he can hang with the best of the best. The 6-foot-1, 200lbs safety brings a level of physicality and competitiveness that can be momentum-changing for his team. One of the aspects of his game that shines a spotlight on him is how eager he is to reload on a rep that he didn’t win. Instead of hanging his head in defeat, he makes the needed adjustments to win the next rep because he is the embodiment of iron-sharpens-iron. Graham’s abilities to cover the slot and play the ball in the air are just two of his many versatile skill sets. This player is a name to add to any recruiting board.</span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="46109" first="Colin" last="Stuhr"] | Dakota Ridge | LB/SS</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Stuhr is a highly underrated player who is capable of filling the role of a Mike, Sam, Will, and a box safety. The 5-foot-11, 220lbs player’s strength and explosiveness make his blitzes precise and disruptive, which complements his sure-tackling abilities. When in coverage, he displays his power with his jam while showing his athleticism when covering a receiver. Stuhr’s overall awareness is next level, which can be seen whenever he tracks the ball carrier or plays the ball in the air. Easily one of the more versatile players on this list, Stuhr is a defensive player who checks a lot of boxes and can only add strength to any college defensive scheme.</span> [caption id="attachment_38289" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-38289" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/Six-Zero-Strength-Fitness21-300x261.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="261" /> [player_tooltip player_id="46110" first="JT" last="Axelrod"][/caption] <b>[player_tooltip player_id="46110" first="JT" last="Axelrod"] | Legend | OLB</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">This 6-foot, 195lbs athlete is a very talented player. His athleticism makes him an invaluable player at the Sam-backer position. Axelrod is a relentless tackler who quickly recognizes plays, which allows him to be a force of disruption. He is also a strong and reliable hitter who works to get to the ball carrier first. His football IQ and awareness are two of his strongest qualities. Axelrod works with a level of intensity that fuels his play-making abilities, which is displayed by his pass breakups, hits, and forced fumbles. Even though Axelrod has a couple of D-III offers, he is still considered to be under-the-radar.</span> &nbsp;