Rise and Fire: Sunday’s top defenders and Best of the Rest

What separates the Rise and Fire camp from others is how they finish the event. Normally, most camps finish with a 1v1 portion, but Rise and Fire goes to the next level. Their final period sees four defenders (three DB’s and a linebacker) against three receivers and their quarterback. It’s a much more realistic camp view of what each players skills set is and the competition was fierce. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/06/rise-fire-camp-five-dbs-who-caught-my-eye/">Darnell Clay</a> already highlighted five of the standouts, and I won’t go over those players, check out his recap here. What I did want to mention is the fact that when [player_tooltip player_id="159033" first="Justin" last="Taylor"], [player_tooltip player_id="139454" first="Kahlil" last="Tate"], Isaac Martinez along with any linebacker they teamed up with, it was literally a no fly zone. At one point, I walked up to the group and told them they needed to separate because it was unfair. After seeing Taylor and Tate, I’m even more convinced that both of them will end up on the defensive side of the ball. As for Martinez, he’s extremely underrated and has a ton of ability. Teams should get on him soon, he’s going to blow up this fall. Here were the rest of the defensive standouts from this past Sunday: <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-164090" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/6A6E3082-17C6-4901-8652-E18EF804D50F-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Glenbard North, IL DB Shea Gaffney (6’ and 185lbs) @shea_gaffeny As a back-end defender, Gaffney has a lot of traits you’re looking for. He reads plays very well, his anticipation skills are very impressive. Gaffney has good size as well, strong lower half with room to add good weight in his upper-body. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1409237963171581954?s=21 I believe he projects more as a safety than a corner, although he probably could play in the slot as well. An impressive showing from the rising senior. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-164093" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/36A605B5-59ED-4298-AC66-FD05DDF58C83-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Kenwood, IL LB Jamontae Harris (6’1” and 205lbs) @J9Harris_ Build like a SEC linebacker, Harris plays like one too. He first jumped out during the skill position portion and backed that good showing by being a menace in pass coverage. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1409238095606784004?s=21 Although I missed him baiting a quarterback to throw underneath that resulted in a pick, they kept challenging Harris and he kept making the play.For a linebacker to show well in an event like this they really have to stand out and that’s exactly what Harris did. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-164095" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/F3C26760-2CBB-4668-9FF4-C508E9A9FC5B-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 St. Ignatius, IL DB [player_tooltip player_id="146166" first="John" last="Kemp"] (5’11” and 175lbs) @kempjohn_ Quick feet and great hip flexibility, Kemp was one of the defenders that jumped off the page right away. He’s got the ability to stick at corner, has the speed to stay with receivers and the ball skills to make plays when quarterbacks make errand throws. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1409238264737902592?s=21 As a younger player at the camp, he didn’t look overmatched by some of the older more polished receivers. With a big junior year, Kemp should start popping up on many teams recruiting boards. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-164097" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/E607A32E-4917-454B-92F8-1DC3C0F9D8B0-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Wheaton North, IL LB [player_tooltip player_id="135840" first="Ross" last="Dansdill"] (6’3” and 220lbs) @rdansdill10 The most impressive frame of the linebackers, Dansdill is long, athletic, strong with plenty of room to continue to add on good weight. He runs very well, which leads me to think he’ll end up as an outside ‘backer. The coverage skills are impressive, even though Dansdill got matched up against receivers, instead of tight ends or running backs. He breaks well on the ball, is physical at the line and did a great job with his footwork. In my eyes, one of the best linebackers in the 2023 class. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-164099" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/AAF58472-6863-47C8-8838-143A14A4240C-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Fenwick, IL DB Jordan McAdoo (6’4” and 180lbs) @jmcadoo_21 The conversion to football from basketball is going well for McAdoo, as the last time I saw him his skills were very raw. It’s easy to see that he has been really honing his craft, especially the mental aspect of the game, where he was reading plays very well. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1409238341128757249?s=21 McAdoo is long and athletic, his strides cover a ton of ground and he got the jumping skills that lead to receivers having issues high pointing balls. He might end up outgrowing the safety position and ending up as an outside linebacker. McAdoo has a high ceiling due to his raw ability and schools should see that and take a chance on the impressive athlete. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-164100" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/989F40A9-B5AE-4168-8843-9F90721A1631-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Fenwick, IL DB Martin Paris (6’ and 180lbs) @Martin_Paris15 What stood out about Paris’ game was his ability to cut in front of receivers to break up plays. He made up ground late multiple times, and although he didn’t pick off any of those passes, Paris broke them up. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1409238385869398020?s=21 The closing speed makes you think that he could be a corner, but he most likely will end up as a safety. Paris reads plays well from the back end, clearly has the make-up speed you’re looking for in a defensive back and is physical enough to make the tackle. He’s a sleeper right now, but should start to get much more recruiting traction with a good senior year. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-164103" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/FE220906-61D4-47EE-87BE-F4B0D6545014-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Montini Catholic, IL LB Eric Melendez (6’2” and 190lbs) Although Melendez worked with the cornerbacks, his future is at linebacker. He’s not quite quick enough to stay with speedy receivers, but when he goes against running backs and tight ends, Melendez really stands out. His frame will allow him to continue to add good weight as he grows into his body. The coverage skills will translate when he moves to linebacker, he could become a 3-down ‘backer in the future. Best of the rest: 2022 Lawrenceburg, IN QB Garrett Yoon (6’ and 180lbs) @GarrettYoon2 Although a bit on the smaller side, Yoon was accurate and threw a very catchable ball. 2023 Evanston, IL QB Dylan Groff (6’ and 160lbs) @DylanGroff2 Big arm with solid touch, Groff has the potential to be very good in the future. 2022 Benton, IL QB [player_tooltip player_id="65707" first="Keegan" last="Glover"] (6’ and 165lbs) @GloverKeegan Solid like at most camps I’ve seen him, Glover continues to improve his arm strength and accuracy. 2023 Yorkville, IL QB [player_tooltip player_id="158589" first="Evan" last="Grazzini"] (6’ and 190lbs) @evan_grazzini Thick lower half that he uses to get velocity on his throws, was solid on Sunday. 2022 Rockridge, IL QB [player_tooltip player_id="65708" first="Brayden" last="Deem"] (6’2” and 190lbs) @Brayden85183598 Doesn’t do anything too spectacular but is consistent with accuracy and good touch. 2023 Minooka, IL QB [player_tooltip player_id="131257" first="Gavin" last="Dooley"] (5’11” and 160lbs) @gavin_dooley Throws a nice deep ball, good loft and touch. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-164105" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/D6D78253-9D5A-499A-955D-9B663DB28202-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 St. Francis, IL LB Sam Atkins (6’ and 195lbs) @SammyAtkins15SF Moves well in coverage, is a bit stiff but has ability to make plays. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-164106" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/8F83A0C8-C538-49EA-8D56-10D21A1B9BD5-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 St. Rita DB Justin Stawczyk (5’11” and 175lbs) @Justin_Stawczyk Raw but has talent, had flashes where you saw his potential.