2022 Rankings Newcomers: Defense

<em>With the release of the updated CA 2022 rankings, here’s an in-depth analysis of several new prospects making the list. </em> <img class="wp-image-167032 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-05-at-5.13.24-PM.png" alt="" width="425" height="276" /> <strong style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="186964" first="Isaiah" last="Ward"], DL, Colony</strong> Ward possesses a rare physical skillset with his combination of size and athleticism. Has exceptional length at 6’6” 230 lbs. with plenty of room to add good weight to his frame at the college level. Great athletic ability and body control allows him to play the hybrid DE/LB role well flashing good initial quickness, lateral mobility, and short area burst to chase. His length and strength in his hands allows him to lock out blockers and keep them away from his body. He’s a strong tackler with good range, once he gets his hands on you he’s tough to break. Recruitment took off this summer pulling in eight D1 offers but he has the potential to be an elite level national recruit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="142010" first="Ta’ita’i" last="Uiagalelei"], DL, Mater Dei </strong> Has continued to show great improvement and playmaking ability while adding size and strength. Now at 6’5” 255 lbs. with a 79” wingspan he possesses the length and build college coaches look for in an edge player. He explodes off the ball with a quick first step to gain positioning while diagnosing the play. Shows impressive natural power at the POA, understanding how to use his leverage and strength to neutralize or shed a blocker. Offered by Washington State in June but has great upside and is just scratching the surface of his potential at the college level. Look for him to have a big senior year in the top ranked Mater Dei program and pick up more offers as he develops. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="186968" first="Jake" last="Ripp"], LB, Los Gatos</strong> The Boise State commit is one of the top LB’s in Northern California. Possesses a strong frame with good growth potential at 6’3” 215 lbs. He’s a plus athlete with the speed and lateral agility to chase and pursue ball carriers to the outside/perimeter. Good nose for the football, he’s quick to trigger and decisive with his reads while diagnosing run/pass. Does a great job freeing himself up using his hands to disengage and keep blockers off of him. He’s an aggressive tackler that wraps up and explodes through contact. Before he committed to Boise State he was also offered by UC Davis, Sacramento State, San Jose State, and Cal Poly. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="186973" first="Brendan" last="Hale"], DB, Orange Lutheran<img class=" wp-image-24527 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/06/Generic-Featured-Image-2.jpg" alt="" width="334" height="208" /></strong> A playmaker in the secondary with the versatility to play both CB and Safety. Good physical tools to build on with his size, speed, and athleticism. He’s a strider with good back end range to cover a lot of ground and play sideline to sideline. He’s an instinctive player with good anticipation and route recognition in coverage. Flashes plus transitional speed and an explosive break to close space and make a play on the ball. Strong open field tackler that takes smart and efficient angles in pursuit. Under recruited at this point but should see an increase in recruiting as a senior. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="186976" first="Antonio" last="Mayes"], DB, Jurupa Hills</strong> A physical corner with great length at 6’2” 175 lbs. He’s a fluid athlete that has the speed, agility, and quickness to be an effective man-to-man cover corner at the college level. Shows a great ability to anticipate and run with receivers all over the field. Plus ball skills, he tracks the ball well with the body control and hands to go up and attack the ball at the highest point. Great versatility, he’s an explosive playmaker at WR using his top end speed and burst to be a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Holds offers from NAU and UNLV so far with the upside and potential to start pulling in Power 5 offers.