Vic’s Mailbag, July 23rd: Rapid-Fire Evals Pt.1

Our main goal at Prep Redzone is to help prospects at every level get the recruiting attention they deserve. A great way is to expand our prospect database by opening up our DM's on Twitter to your film! Don't shy away, honest feedback, as well as strengths and weaknesses, will be discussed. All in the name of getting more players in our rankings and thus, more exposure. Send us your film at @PrepRedzonePA, as well as at my personal Twitter, @PRZPAvic. [player_tooltip player_id="164525" first="Ahmad" last="Govens"] | 6'1, 265 | DT | Northeast | 2024 A big-bodied sophomore who can disrupt each gap on either side of opposing guard. Interesting to see him listed as a 300+ prospect in Hudl tapes but now at 265. Getting reps along a star-studded defensive line at Northeast is an accomplishment in itself. Govens is seen shooting out of his stance high more times than I like but he is 6'1. Overtly strong presence. Lands his initial punch well, extends his arms, and sheds. The kid has good enough lower-body strength to sustain double teams. He's young but I want to see more production out of Govens. I like what I saw. There are flashes of a high-motor prospect. [player_tooltip player_id="143193" first="Ni’Jir" last="Greer"] | 5'8, 180 | OLB/DB | William Penn | 2022 After watching Greer's tape, I could see him transition into a solid safety at the next level. His special team's contributions have shaped him into a tough defensive back who is more than willing to get his hands dirty and tackle. He read-and-reacts well to jet-sweeps, screens, and out-routes in front of him. He's got solid feet and great ball awareness. He can provide some position versatility, aligning inside and out at corner. Can be seen struggling at the beginning of reps, whether caught off-balance or reaching. Can say he finishes bad reps really well which is what you want to see out of a developing senior. Want to see recruitment heat up for him. [player_tooltip player_id="91525" first="Tyler" last="Biggans"] | 5'11, 210 | QB/LB | West Branch Area | 2024 Biggans was the biggest surprise out of this group, in a good way. Excellent film and start to his football career. The sophomore out of West Branch is looking to build off a solid freshman season that saw him delivering deep balls to targets left and right. Great deep ball accuracy and depth perception. Big arm without too much of a hitch. Seen throwing opposite hash to sideline which takes a ton of arm strength. He can be trusted to be ready to release on time and in rhythm. He gets most of his torque due to a wide base, he's already a tad bit undersized, a wide base could further his struggle to throw in traffic. Biggans can get you 1st downs and redzone touchdowns with his legs. He's got a big frame, taking in tough runs from 10 yards out is within his capabilities. L.J Samuels | ATH | Farrell | 2023 Love this kid's game. Samuels provides reps everywhere for Farrell. The primary defensive back can provide reps at running back, as a punt returner and sprinkle in some QB as well. True ATH designation. Love him at outside corner, he sees the ball really well and is handsy. He wants to disrupt passing lanes and deflect as often as possible. He's poised when challenged downfield. He's an effective knife tackler who is great at seeing the ball carrier when weak-side, coming over to help clean up tackles often. The more he's on the field the better. Mike Conway | 6'2, 225 | LB | Father Judge | 2022 Great build out of Mike Conway. Good overall frame with some armor on him. He's a run-stuffer who also has a good understanding of his zone and can drop accordingly. He explodes out of his stance and will take on pulling blocks before guards are ready. Love the pursuit angles he takes. Solid lateral agility. He also contributes as a blocking tight-end, which even further develops his understanding of blocking lanes when on defense. Best trait is his upfield burst after his read step. [player_tooltip player_id="149994" first="Covenant" last="Horace"] | 5'9, 170 | ATH | Upper Darby | 2022 Senior out of Upper Darby who also carries a chiseled frame. He's a physical presence as a backend safety, while also aligning as a wideout and corner for UD. He wants to come downhill and deliver a hit the ball carrier will remember. He will win the rep if he gets lower than you. His post-snap diagnosis of the play is a plus. If he's not blowing up run plays, he excels as a last resort clean-up tackler. Does a good job setting the edge when needed. Interesting to see where he ends up on defense at the next level. Anthony Rosser | 5'8, 167 | ATH | Imhotep Charter | 2024 Rosser's a young prospect growing in Imhotep's system. May not be a better group to learn from in PA  than at Imhotep. Reps will be hard to come by here so the low production was to be expected. Rosser is undersized but young. He's absolutely not afraid to tackle from his defensive back spot. Very interested in his coverage skills. There are some instances where he flips his hips effortlessly and has some serious speed to stay with opponents stride for stride downfield. Again, low production. I want a full season of some of those flashes I saw on tape. We will be waiting! Cagney Smith | 6'3, 245 | DE/DT | Cornell | 2023 Last off is Cagney Smith, a massive player out of Cornell who is a bit of a tweener. I'm not sure if he has the bend and speed to truly be deemed a pass-rusher, while he is considered an overly athletic defensive tackle who may outgrow that position. Putting a stamp on where his game is best-suited needs more film to break down. Nonetheless, Smith has some raw talent that needs to be unlocked. He's a contributor on both sides of the football. Shedding 10-15 pounds could do wonders for him from an end standpoint. Excited to see more production from this kid, if it comes.