North Bay: Top Prospects Pt. II

Here is Part II in this series in which we will look at and break down the film of some of the top prospects in the North Bay that either have current offers, or are still waiting to pull in their first.   LB Nathan Rooks 6'0" 215 Ibs., St. Vincent de Paul HS [caption id="attachment_95063" align="alignright" width="227"]<img class=" wp-image-95063" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-12-at-10.57.57-AM-263x300.png" alt="" width="227" height="259" /> Photo: Nathan Rooks Twitter[/caption] One of the top returning prospects in the section for the '23 class, Rooks is coming off a great Freshman campaign where he started on Varsity. During his first year at the high school level he showed his ability to be a strong tackler in the box, have good physicality at the point of attack when getting off blocks and ability to apply pressure and bend off the edge while being athletic enough to drop in coverage and cover/tackle in space. A very physical and high motor player with Division I potential at the next level.       LB Jared Lyon 6'1" 220 Ibs., Marin Catholic HS [caption id="attachment_95065" align="alignleft" width="245"]<img class=" wp-image-95065" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-12-at-11.02.55-AM-254x300.png" alt="" width="245" height="289" /> Photo: Jared Lyon Hudl[/caption] Playing for one of the top teams in the region, Lyon is a downhill North and South second level defender that is a big time hitter and brings a good thump at the point of attack while playing with a high motor and overall toughness. A very strong tackler that shocks well against bigger bodies and is comfortable in coverage while showing good lateral movement and closing speed. Lyon projects as a new age inside linebacker at the next level with Division I abilities.             OL Louie Canepa 6'4" 300 Ibs., Vintage HS [caption id="attachment_95066" align="alignleft" width="207"]<img class=" wp-image-95066" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-12-at-11.06.32-AM-231x300.png" alt="" width="207" height="269" /> Photo: Louie Canepa Hudl[/caption] Athletic for his size and a natural bender, Canepa is one of the top tackles in the region and has a good combination of overall size and athleticism. On tape, he has an explosive first step and initial punch while playing with good hand placement, pad level and leg drive through out his blocks while showing good physicality and finishing blocks on both levels. Patient and balanced in pass pro while displaying well timed punches and being very technically sound, he should start to see some offers roll in as he starts his Junior season this Winter for the Crushers.           ATH Antonio Bernardini 6'1" 210 Ibs., Casa Grande HS [caption id="attachment_95069" align="alignright" width="235"]<img class=" wp-image-95069" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-12-at-11.08.54-AM-269x300.png" alt="" width="235" height="263" /> Photo: Antonio Bernardini Hudl[/caption] Bernardini is a very solid athlete that is still developing but possesses next level abilities on the defensive side of the ball. Playing mostly on the third level, he showed natural ball skills and the versatility to be able to play in the box and tackle in traffic while taking good angles to ball carriers and playing sideline to sideline. Also effective on the offensive side of the ball and playing with good overall toughness, Bernardini projects as a safety or outside linebacker at the next level as he continues to physically grow and develop.         OL/DL Max Jones 6'2" 290 Ibs., Rancho Cotate HS [caption id="attachment_95070" align="alignleft" width="259"]<img class=" wp-image-95070" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-12-at-11.11.16-AM-272x300.png" alt="" width="259" height="286" /> Photo: Max Jones Hudl[/caption] Anchoring the tackle position on offense and the interior defensive line during the 2019 State Championship appearance season, Jones was a strong bodied interior lineman with good twitch and quick use of hands when rushing the passer with quite a few pass rush moves in his toolbox that fit his size and skill-set nicely. Moving very well for his size and athletic enough to play in space, he is able to sustain and finish blocks at the first and second level and is a college level player with a nice floor.           WR Makhi Johnson 6'1" 180 Ibs., Lower Lake HS [caption id="attachment_95071" align="alignright" width="309"]<img class=" wp-image-95071" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-12-at-11.14.16-AM-300x268.png" alt="" width="309" height="276" /> Photo: Makhi Johnson Twitter[/caption] A very intriguing prospect from the outside receiver position, Johnson has ideal length and top end speed while continuing to turn into a true vertical threat. Showing good ability to stretch the field and strong hands, he is poised for a big Junior season for the Lake County power. On tape, Johnson has good high point ability and overall athleticism with the ability to make defenders miss in space and win on 50/50 balls.