Tape time: Reviewing prospects from ‘21, ‘22 and ‘23

As a scout, there are plenty of prospects who ask for reviews of their film so they can focus on certain areas to improve their play. Recently, a few of them have asked me to go over their film and I wanted to share my reviews of them with you as well. There are prospects that span the 2021, 2022 and 2023 classes, so well start out with the seniors, then juniors and finally the sophomores. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-80858" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/2E14E8D4-EBE3-40C2-A82D-8CFA09F8A12E-139x300.jpeg" alt="" width="139" height="300" /> 2021 defensive back Gyanni Kanellakis, Cary Grove (6’ and 180-pounds) @GyanniKane A solid defender who reads plays well and has very good instincts for the ball when it’s in the air. Kanellakis isn’t afraid to come up and make plays in the run game either, showing good closing speed on ball carriers. Not much shown from press coverage, typically plays off the ball, but it helps with better angles due to his ability to read plays well. He has offers from schools like Carthage, Loras, and Roosevelt but could have had more if a season was played in the fall. A solid prospect. 2021 defensive back [player_tooltip player_id="65549" first="Colby" last="Cline"], Wendell Phillips (5’11” and 195-pounds) @Colbycline7 A do-it-all defender, Cline unfortunately might be getting overlooked due to transferring from Perspectives Charter and not being able to play a fall season. Cline shows that he can play linebacker and corner, but I feel like his future is at safety. He’s got the idea from to roam the back end of a defense, get’s off blockers well and is a very solid tackler. Does a good job blitzing and with her versatility can confuse offenses with what he’s able to do. 2021 tight end / fullback Jamel Britt (6’ and 205-pounds) @JamelBritt44 Britt has mostly played tailback but his future is as a blocking tight end or fullback. He could very well be a goal line back, showing good power but not quite enough speed to be a full time running back. Britt has good hands and is a great blocker, which is why a move from RB makes sense. 2021 defensive end / linebacker Elijah Holmes, Birmingham Sport Academy (6’1” and 210-pounds) @ElijahH37010660 The first thing that pops out from Holmes’ tape is his ability to blitz. His timing is fantastic, often getting a jump right as the ball is snapped and making plays after. Does a really good job of getting to the quarterback and being disruptive when he’s on the move. Great instincts and awareness which could lead to a positive move, potentially to safety, depending on how his body fills out when he gets into a collegiate weight room. Will need to work on other moves than just using a speed rush, but has the ability to do so. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-80876" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/114F804C-2329-40E0-B51B-8A1D33BB0FF3-217x300.jpeg" alt="" width="217" height="300" /> 2021 interior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="20297" first="Saveyon" last="Henderson"], Crete-Monee (6’5” and 320-pounds) @saveyon3 A big and very strong offensive lineman, Henderson moves very well for his size. Does a great job when he pulls, can be a lead blocker for screens due to his athletic ability. Once engaged, Henderson doesn’t let his opponent go, especially in the run game. Will need to work on pass-blocking technique, but certainly has the ability to do so. 2022 offensive tackle / guard Haven Hatfield, Tuscola (6’3” and 220-pounds) @HavenHatfield1 Still growing Hatfield will need to continue to add weight but shows good skills and footwork while run blocking. He doesn’t quit on any plays, something that I love seeing out of linemen. Hatfield will need to work on his pass-blocking, it seems like he can get better at that. If he stays at his current height and adds enough weight Hatfield can be a nice addition of an offensive line group, but more as an interior lineman. 2022 running back Ena Dorcoo, Joliet West (5’8” and 150-pounds) @rastadorcoo2 Although on the smaller side, Dorcoo has plenty of ability. Does a very good job of going north-south to hit his holes, with good straight line speed. Shows solid vision to get to the outside and get to the edge. Dorcoo has good balance and a pretty good jump-cut. Is a very willing blocker enough though he’s on the smaller side, showing he’s not afraid to get dirty every once and a while. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-80880" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/23BA7FD1-339B-4507-94C6-E646B7A7CEE1-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 linebacker Moe Khalil, Lemont (5’10” and 185-pounds) @momo_khalil12 A versatile defender who might not be big enough to stay as a linebacker, but has the skills to move back into a safety spot. Times his blitzes well and uses his read and react skills to take down ball carriers. Khalil understands angles well, often taking a good one to make tackles. Has very good awareness and is able to find the ball quickly. If he has a good junior year, he could see his recruitment blow up. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-80882" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/8054CAF6-B4FF-4E24-952A-251A89BB463F-300x195.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="195" /> 2022 athlete Patrick McDowell, Hinsdale Central (6’3” and 184-pounds) @patrick_mcd17 McDowell plays both free and strong safety, a versatile athlete that’s able to play in the box and also be the last line of defense. Has very good instincts in tracking the football, he also can play wide receiver as well, but I like him as the back-end of a defense. Has good speed and takes good angles, although sometimes tackles too high. At the next level that won’t work as well. McDowell has a big junior year ahead of him. 2023 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="20840" first="John" last="Weidenbach"] (6’1.5” and 220-pounds) @ijohnweid6 First off, Weidenbach has a great frame for such a young player. He already has a season of varsity under his belt and will just keep getting better as his high school career continues. Weidenbach gets off blockers well, a great trait for a linebacker. He’s got good play recognition and when he does get fooled, shows solid recovery speed. Drops back well, but sometimes doesn’t get the depth needed to really impact plays, but that will also come with time. Weidenbach has a bright future ahead of him. &nbsp;