Colorado’s top 2021 unsigned defensive players still on the board

National Signing Day is quickly approaching, and there are still a handful of solid prospects from Colorado looking to find their next home to commit to play at the next level. Today, we flip over to the defensive side of the play and examine the top position player still left at the defensive line, linebacker and defensive back spot for the Class of 2021. Here is a look at the top remaining prospects for each group still on the recruiting board. <h3><strong>Defensive Line: [player_tooltip player_id="56026" first="Zaine" last="Hood"], 2021, 6’2, 260, Brighton</strong></h3> Hood is a fit in a 3-4 for a 4-3 defense from his defensive end spot. He possesses the quickness to rush off the edge and get around the tackle, but he can also rush the gap from the interior. The speed and quickness off the line makes him a threat against the pass, but he will play a role in stopping the run as a gap stuffer as well. He takes on blocks well and can shed them at the line of scrimmage and make plays. In six games in 2020, he recorded 49 tackles, four sacks and forced a fumble. With his size, he is a perfect fit for a smaller-level program to contribute early in his collegiate career. Just a few weeks ago, Hood shared an offer to Black Hills State at the NCAA Division II level. He looks to be a solid late find on the recruiting board for that level of play. <strong>Honorable mention: [player_tooltip player_id="22565" first="Cyrus" last="Goldsmith"], Far Northeast; [player_tooltip player_id="22591" first="Mason" last="Midgett"], Grandview</strong> <h3><strong>Linebacker: [player_tooltip player_id="22562" first="Saxon" last="Wright"], 2021, 6’0, 210, Palmer Ridge</strong></h3> Wright is a productive linebacker who records multiple tackles on a nightly basis. He had four consecutive games with double-digit tackles to close the season, helping him finish 2020 with 75 total stops. He has solid size at 6-foot and 210 pounds. A strength of his is on the blitz as he times his read off the snap and hits the gap quickly, allowing him to create havoc in the backfield. Those skills also translate in the special teams game, where he showed he can block kicks on the rush. The vision he shows is also strong and he can break down plays and get to the attended receiver or stay home on a run play for any cutbacks or reverses. A recent blitz of interest has come from schools in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference at the NCAA Division II level. Look for Wright to be a nice pickup for any of those schools. <strong>Honorable mention: [player_tooltip player_id="22593" first="Adrian" last="Cordova"], Eaglecrest; [player_tooltip player_id="22600" first="Barrett" last="Jensen"], Lakewood</strong> <h3><strong>Defensive Back: [player_tooltip player_id="44629" first="Chyon" last="Kendrick"], 2021, 6’1, 170, Eaglecrest</strong></h3> Kendrick shows solid length with his 6-foot-1 frame, and he plays a solid jam technique at the line of scrimmage. After the initial contact, he has the speed to run stride for stride with receivers and does a good job staying on them with tight coverage. As for his ball skills, he can get his hands on passes and deflect them, or he’ll get two hands on the pass for an interception and get a nice return after the catch. Look for Kendrick to also play with a mean streak and not shy away from getting physical with receivers who try to block him in the run game, a trait that can bode well for special teams play. Two offers Kendrick has shared on social media so far include Papago JC and Pac West Academy. <strong>Honorable mention: [player_tooltip player_id="22581" first="Jarrell" last="Trahan"], Highlands Ranch; [player_tooltip player_id="22583" first="Liam" last="Huber"], Fairview</strong>