8 Preseason Names To Watch: 23' DB

As we get closer to the start of the Fall 2021 season these young men are practicing with their respective teams getting ready for their Week 1 matchup. With that being said let’s take a look at 8 preseason names to watch as the days are getting closer and closer to gameday. <hr /> [player_tooltip player_id="65879" first="Noah" last="Taylor"] Lemont <a href="https://twitter.com/nbt2234">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12976037/60882e9002b1890a80edf6eb">Highlights</a> Mr. Taylor is from Lemont, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he was a sight to see. What I like most about this young man is how he attacks downhill once he diagnoses the play, as he does so he plants his foot into the ground and changes gears quickly resulting in making plays at the line of scrimmage. He has the closing speed to cover sideline to sideline to make the open field tackle and fills holes in run support. This young man runs a 4.56 laser time 40-yard dash and a 4.03 Pro Agility further demonstrating his athleticism. I expect Mr. Taylor to have a strong Junior season this fall as Lemont has a stellar defense (with [player_tooltip player_id="155504" first="Jake" last="Zator"], [player_tooltip player_id="155392" first="Cole" last="Brannigan"], [player_tooltip player_id="155391" first="Mohammad" last="Khalil"], [player_tooltip player_id="155319" first="Tyler" last="Wilms"] to name a few) and pushes for a deep playoff run. This young man’s stock is going to rise as a result of that with college interest to pick up as a result. [player_tooltip player_id="158019" first="Jailen" last="Duffie"] Warren Township <a href="https://twitter.com/DuffieJailen">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13156048/6085d4fab5362d090c9272fe">Highlights</a> Mr. Duffie is from Warren Township, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showcased what’s to come over the next two seasons. What I like most about this young man is how he stays with his man in coverage resulting in incomplete passes. He does so by staying square when getting hands-on quickly as he’s pressing at the line of scrimmage and by reading the quarterback’s eyes. As he does so, he’s able to diagnose the play quickly as he undercuts the route resulting in PBUs as well as an interception for a touchdown as seen at the beginning of his highlight tape. That’s not all this young man can do, this past spring he was a state qualifier in the open 200 for track further demonstrating his athleticism. As Warren Township works on making a deep playoff push with [player_tooltip player_id="65813" first="Jalen" last="Handford"], [player_tooltip player_id="20874" first="Maurice" last="Edwards"], and company be on the lookout for how this young man performs as well as his production throughout the season. [player_tooltip player_id="158023" first="Nathan" last="Breeman"] Lake Zurich <a href="https://twitter.com/21Breeman">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4254006/608c308c3453390f0479ee1c">Highlights</a> Mr. Breeman is from Lake Zurich, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showcased what he can do. What I like most about this young man is the potential that he has heading into the fall season, we got glimpses of what he can do this past season and I expect more light to shine through with a full season. For example, he showcased his aggressiveness and physicality by delivering a hard hit forcing an incomplete pass in the endzone and pancaked his man when blocking in punt return. He also showed glimpses of his ability to flip his hips when covering the fly route resulting in an incomplete pass on more than one occasion in his film. This full season is going to be a teller as to where this young man is at in his developmental process and where he needs to hone his skills further, as we get closer to the fall season keep an eye on how he produces for his team. [player_tooltip player_id="135742" first="Nicolas" last="Lendino"] Neuqua Valley <a href="https://twitter.com/nlendino24">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12827908/607f7463b5362d15248fbb2c">Highlights</a> Mr. Lendino is from Neuqua Valley, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showcased what’s to come over the next two seasons. He showcased glimpses of his skillset this last season and the potential that he possesses with getting hands-on quickly at the point of attack and driving the man into the ground. This young man also showed insight into his ability to get off blocks to make the open field tackle as well as taking pursuit angles to make the tackle downfield. This upcoming fall season is going to be a good indicator as to where he’s at in his developmental process as he looks to have a bigger role in this defense. As he does so be on the lookout for how he does this fall season and the production Neuqua Valley gets from him during the full season as they look to make a playoff run with fellow teammates [player_tooltip player_id="131532" first="Grant" last="Larkin"], [player_tooltip player_id="119138" first="Carter" last="Sessa"], [player_tooltip player_id="136475" first="Mark" last="Mennecke"], and company. [player_tooltip player_id="146166" first="John" last="Kemp"] St Ignatius <a href="https://twitter.com/kempjohn_">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12914894/6083bbf39a9c3f1b8061a9a3">Highlights</a> Mr. Kemp is from St Ignatius, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showcased what's to come over the next two seasons. What I like most about this young man is how quick he is off the ball which he utilizes to get into the backfield quickly to make the tackle for a loss. He gets off blocks by batting the hands down at the point of attack to fill holes in run support and has the closing speed to cover sideline to sideline. There are countless plays in this young man's highlight tape where he's flying to the ball to make the tackle giving us a glimpse of his full potential. This fall season is going to be a good indicator for where he's at in the developmental process of his skillset, keep an eye on this young man as St Ignatius looks to build off of their spring season performance. [player_tooltip player_id="135932" first="Michael" last="Jefferson"] Grayslake North <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeJeff_Jr">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12930689/6086418842077105902f1edc">Highlights</a> Mr. Jefferson is from Grayslake North, he played on Varsity this past spring season where we got glimpses of what's to come over the next two seasons. What I like most about this young man is his technical skillset that was showcased in his highlight film. For example, in his highlight tape, he showcased fluid flip of the hips to stay with his man in coverage and not getting broken off at the top of the route by staying in the receiver's hip pocket. As he does so he takes away the receiver as an option for the opposing quarterback to look for in the passing game. In run defense, he fills holes in run support meeting the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage resulting in no gain on the play. Overall, this young man gave us a glimpse into the skillset that he has this past spring season and I look forward to seeing how he produces with a full season under his belt this fall. [player_tooltip player_id="158037" first="John" last="Brown"] Mt Carmel <a href="https://twitter.com/Johnbrown3__">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13688903/6084571fbd6ba31f18aca591">Highlights</a> Mr. Brown is from Mt Carmel, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showcased what he can do. What I like most about this young man is the potential that he showcased through his spring season highlight film. For example, his ability to change direction while in coverage is one to keep an eye on. There are countless plays in his highlights where he's in coverage and stays with his man in coverage. As he does so, the receiver breaks at the top of the route then gets back upfield running a double move and instead of getting beat deep this young man flips his hips to turn upfield quickly to take away the deep shot double move. It is plays like that which showcase glimpses of what's to come, as we get closer to the fall season be sure to keep an eye on this young man and how he produces for Mt Carmel as they push for a deep playoff run. [player_tooltip player_id="139729" first="Javon" last="Bridges"] Phillips <a href="https://twitter.com/Bridges_Javon02">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12937456/60722798a018ca1344df9b21">Highlights</a> Mr. Bridges is from Phillips, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showcased what he can do. What I like most about this young man is how he utilizes his closing speed to attack downhill, he gains ground quickly to make the open-field tackle. Once he diagnoses the play he plants his back foot into the ground and changes gears quickly to fill holes in run support, he also has the closing speed to cover sideline to sideline. This young man has room to hone his craft and develop himself further, as he continues to do so keep an eye on how he produces this fall season. <hr /> These are some of the Preseason Names to Watch at the DB position for the class of 2023. Keep an eye on these young men as they get ready to put the pads on. Be sure to follow @jamaskane regarding news & information for Illinois High School Football, @PrepRedzoneIL, and @PrepRedzone.