WIN Defensive back workout breakdown

On Wednesday evening a smaller group of prospects were on hand at WIN Performance run by former collegiate players Kerry Neal (Notre Dame) and Pete Houlihan (Eastern Illinois). The session was run by Houlihan, with each prospect getting plenty of attention due to the smaller size of the group. There were a couple of prospects that I have yet to see, so I’ll take a look at those players first before we get to the more familiar names. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-113362" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/9D6D0C35-EF24-447B-81A9-FCCE2E94273C-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 cornerback Diego Oliver, Kenwood HS (6’ and 182lbs) @DA_Oliver22 Oliver didn’t wait around for Illinois to have a spring season, so he went off the Michigan to take part in their fall season. A bold move, but one that paid off as he started to get more attention on the recruiting trail. It wasn’t due to him heading up north, it has to do with his skill set, which includes very good footwork, change of direction and ability to flip his hips well. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1365068216247197698?s=21 Oliver should be a name that isn’t forgotten due to him not playing in Illinois this fall. He’s got plenty of talent and is working hard to continue to improve. Right now he holds and Eastern Illinois and Air Force offer, but more will be on the way. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-113361" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/C8CB074E-A5ED-4E1D-B201-CD31020322B6-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 safety Ben Wilson, Warren HS (6’1” and 192lbs) @Benji_Wilson The athletic ability stands out right away, Wilson has everything you’re looking for in a safety prospect. He’s got long arms and a great frame, which he should be able to add weight onto as he gets older. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1365071660051795971?s=21 He should be able to play corner as well, but his frame at them moment leads me to think he’s a safety when Wilson fills out. When it wasn’t his rep, he was in the background working on what Houlihan was teaching. Wilson wants to get better and will continue to do so as his football journey continues. Right now he is getting some interest from D1 schools, once he gets some tape, more will follow. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-113360" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/42BAE5A1-EE58-4A3D-86EA-08C50D9A965F-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 cornerback Damien Hall, Brother Rice HS (5’10” and 170lbs) @HallDameon I’m kicking myself already, Hall made a extremely impressive one-handed catch when I wasn’t recording the rep. That wasn’t the only impressive play he made but that one stood out. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1365075741621248011?s=21 Being my first time seeing Hall, he is an impressive player. Watching his hands, he could have a future on the other side of the ball as well, most likely in the slot if that does happen. Either way, Hall has plenty of upside. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-113358" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/963E448B-6738-4193-8CA4-C472C1361D01-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 safety Eric Melendez, Montini HS I liked what I saw from Melendez as well, he’s long with a great frame to add on extra weight. He moved well for his size, around 6’2 and 190-pounds, but I missed getting his exact measurements. He was one of the younger players in attendance, but didn’t look too out of place, although you could tell a bit he wasn’t as advanced. Melendez does have the ability to become a solid player as he continues to grow and adds the ever valuable experience. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-113369" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/C5FD17C3-5B7D-410B-840D-446ECBC59662-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 safety Khary Shaw, Brother Rice (6’2” and 205lbs) @KharyShaw It’s safe to say the position change for Shaw has paid off. He has moved from outside linebacker to the back end of the defense with relative ease. Shaw has a physical aspect in his game that just doesn’t show up at workouts like this. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1365095153459953666?s=21 Something that I really liked was that he was coaching up the two younger players in the group, showing them the proper ways to do the drills and encouraging them when they’d get it right. We talked a bit after the workout and he’s got a great football IQ. Shaw should ultimately end up as a P5 player and I’m excited to see him hit the field in a few weeks. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-113374" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/A666C62C-22D7-4A0F-9ABC-4DDE5D20DDF0-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 athlete Justin Taylor, Nazareth (6’ and 182lbs) @__justintaylor Workaholic, hands down, Taylor takes his training very seriously. He was almost always the first in line for the drills and when he wasn’t going through his rep, Taylor was getting extra work in between them. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1365099046076108801?s=21 I have him as an athlete right now, but the ceiling is so high for the rising sophomore. Taylor has the hips, feet and size to play corner. When you add in his hands, it makes you wonder where he’ll end up as his football career continues. Taylor has tools on tools that will make him a P5 prospect.