CCL Top Defenders: Red Division

The CCL has many talented players in each division as they produce college prospects year in and year out. Today we will be diving into the CCL Red Division Top Defenders, these teams include DePaul College Prep, Leo, Marian Catholic, and St. Joseph. <hr /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>DePaul College Prep:</strong></em></span> Will Decaigny 21' OLB/MLB 5'10 162 lbs Decaigny gets pressure off the edge when rushing the QB, fills holes in run support, and takes solid pursuit angles. He's a solid player who needs this spring season film to get his name out there more. Decaigny has had time to put on more weight and hone his craft so be on the lookout for how performs during this spring season. Michael Battaglini 22’ MLB Battaglini takes solid pursuit angles and doesn't give up on plays showing his effort on film. He fills holes in run support and squares up to make the tackle. Battaglini has another season to hone his craft, this spring season will help jumpstart his recruiting process as he's going to show what he can do. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Leo:</strong></em></span> [player_tooltip player_id="65846" first="Jalen" last="Johnson"] 21’ OLB 5’7 181 lbs Johnson has quick acceleration which is shown in his closing speed to cover sideline to sideline and in his pursuit angles. He also holds contain when going against teams that run a power T formation and can make open-field tackles. Johnson is going on one last ride during this spring season as he looks to bring his high school career to an end. Martin Pumphrey 21’ MLB 5’9 220 lbs Pumphrey fills holes in run support, takes solid pursuit angles, and wraps up. He gets in the backfield quickly disrupting the run play and getting pressure on the QB. Pumphrey flows to the ballcarrier which puts him in a position to make the play on a consistent basis. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Marian Catholic:</strong></em></span> [player_tooltip player_id="65543" first="Jahmar" last="Daniel"] 21’ CB 5’11 160 lbs Daniel is a stellar player, he attacks downhill in run support, gets off of blocks to make the tackle, and has quick acceleration which helps him stay with his man in coverage. Daniel read &amp; reacts quickly to the ball and isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder to deliver the hit. He's flying under the radar and is going to be a key player on this talented Marian Catholic defensive unit. Kendall Thomas 21' DE 6’2 195 lbs Thomas is a dominant DE for Marian Catholic, he has a quick jump off the line of scrimmage which assists him in getting after the QB with QB pressures. He's able to do this by using his hands at the point of attack shedding blocks, topped with his quick acceleration and aggressiveness has caused problems for opposing offenses. Thomas also makes tackles in the backfield, holds contain, and takes solid pursuit angles. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>St. Joseph:</strong></em></span> Timothy Shannon Jr 21’ S 6’3 200 lbs Shannon attacks downhill where he makes open-field tackles. He stays with his man in coverage which enables him to deflect passes and make a defensive play. Shannon is a playmaker on both sides of the ball for Marian Catholic. Victor Zuno 21’ 5’10 175 lbs Zuno has quick acceleration which helps him stay with the WR in coverage. He has the ability to deflect passes and jump routes creating defensive stops for this St. Joseph defensive unit. Zuno also attacks downhill where he makes open-field tackles to minimize any gain. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Notables:</strong></em></span> [player_tooltip player_id="65568" first="Justin" last="Stallworth"] 21’ DE 6’4 190 lbs - Marian Catholic <hr /> These defensive players in the CCL Red Division are stellar, some have offers to play at the next level while others are still in the recruiting process. Least to say that all of these athletes are going to play a vital role in each team’s defensive scheme this season. Keep an eye out on these players as I wouldn’t be surprised if you see their names in the newspapers week in and week out.