Arizona Twitter Spotlights Of The Week

This week’s spotlight features two players in the 2022 class that come from programs that don’t usually get a ton of exposure in 3A Yuma Catholic and 4A Flagstaff. Both of these guys have produced on the field and should draw some attention their way. Take a look at the offensive and defensive twitter players of the week: &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Offensive Spotlight</strong></span> [player_tooltip player_id="100658" first="Austin" last="Rush"], <em>WR, 5’10" 180lbs, Yuma Catholic ’22<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-108908" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/PRZ-crop-750x492-1613408357-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></em> <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ErbPN">*Junior Film</a> Rush is a major threat in 3A ball as he is one of the best receivers in the state. He comes off a a highly productive junior season as he hauled in 55 receptions for 1,030 yards and led the state in TD receptions with 16. He can play from the slot or outside and find success at both spots. He is a creative route runner as he often disguises his routes and manipulates DB’s. He is explosive out of his stick at the top of routes which helps him generate that separation, and tracks the ball in well. Rush possesses deceptive speed which he uses to his advantage. He can show a slight hesitation then turn on the jets to get over te top of defenses, or catch a shallow route and get shifty to break loose into open space. He was awarded "1st Team All-State WR" and "1st Team All-Region WR &amp; DB", as he was a standout on both sides of the ball racking up 4 INT’s as well. Expect a huge senior season from Rush in 2021. https://twitter.com/AustinR14973402/status/1370055348757827585?s=20 &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Defensive Spotlight</strong></span> <strong>Spencer Smith</strong>, <em>LB, 6’2" 225lbs, Flagstaff ’22<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-136931" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/PRZ-Generic-Helmets-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /></em> <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2F9Lkz">*Junior Film</a> Smith was a very underrated player in northern AZ last season as he was a beast for the Flagstaff defense. He’s primarily utilized as an OLB, but has the ability to line up at DE and make plays as well. Smith possesses solid play recognition and doesn’t bite on play action or tight mesh misdirection schemes. He shows solid lateral mobility to make plays on the edge and along the boundary or in the box as an OLB. He’s showed glimpses of closing well as a tackler and could be a major threat if he can get consistent with his closing speed and trust his instincts 100%. He does a fairly good job shedding blocks to make plays in traffic. He’s strong at the POA and has flashed a nice striking ability to go along with it. Smith seems to have a good understanding of zone responsibilities as he was strong in coverage and even recorded a couple clutch INT’s on the year. He also plays baseball at Flagstaff High and should be a name to take note of up in northern Arizona as we enter the 2021 season.