3 Players That Will Turn Heads This Fall

[player_tooltip player_id="109992" first="Richie" last="Patrick"], Lansing. 5’10 165 Defensive Back At this time last year, a 5’10 walk-on free safety at Wake Forrest by the name of Nick Andersen was a relatively unknown prospect but managed to parlay a skillset similar to the one Lansing safety [player_tooltip player_id="109992" first="Richie" last="Patrick"] brings to the table, into a turning the heads of NFL scouts as a true freshman walk-on. Patrick’s game is impressively well-rounded for a prospect going into his senior season. In run defense, he shows quick and active feet, allowing him to fluidly sift through traffic, jittering in between blockers and finding the ball. He has a very well-developed lower body, giving him a strong short-area burst and efficient acceleration that allow him to create favorable angles to the ball in run defense and coverage, and he packs a punch when he gets there. As much as Patrick’s athletic qualities pop when you turn the film on, his football IQ is what leads me to believe he’s going to do great things at the next level. He diagnoses quickly, beating receivers to their landmarks to disrupt passes, and has a knack for impeccable timing in his triggers versus the pass and run. There is also patience, as well as decisiveness to his game, especially versus the run, where he keeps his head up and does not overrun the play or needlessly jump into gaps, while also flashing an innate understanding of angles. Patrick only played in three games last season but managed 2 interceptions and three pass breakups in the process, flashing the quickness, explosivity, and instincts that should be on full display this coming season. [player_tooltip player_id="89233" first="Jared" last="Napoli"], Mill Valley. 6’1, 210 Tight End/Wide Receiver If you’re a college coach looking for a kid that plays winning football, and consistently churns out yards for your offense whether via receiving or blocking, RSVP at the [player_tooltip player_id="89233" first="Jared" last="Napoli"] party because it’s fixing to fill up quickly as the 2021 season goes on. Napoli can be a nightmare to cover in the intermediate passing game. He has a long, fluid stride that eats up ground quickly, allowing him to efficiently gain position on his defenders. Additionally aiding him in consistently getting open is his route deception, as he stays nice and compact from the snap to when he breaks out of his stem, making it difficult for defenders to get a gauge on which route is coming. A fluid athlete with nimble feet, Napoli can change direction at higher gears, as well as bring the ball in and turn up-field in the same motion. As a blocker, Napoli is excellent at sealing the edge, using his quick feet to get (and stay) under control, quickly squaring up to his assignment, and natural bend to gain leverage at the point of contact. He turns his hips quickly once engaged, almost like a wrestler, and has the upper body power and tenacity to gain control and steer. Winning football gets you seven yards on a 3rd and 5. Winning football seals the edge on a 3rd and 3 stretch play to allow the runner to get a first down. This is the type of football player a lucky college coach will be adding to his roster in [player_tooltip player_id="89233" first="Jared" last="Napoli"]. Zach White, De Soto 6’3 215 Edge With a premium for long, agile edge defenders being prevalent at every level of college football, it is a safe bet that De Soto’s Zach White’s name will really start bouncing around recruiting meetings on quite a few college campuses this season. When White uses his hands in pass rush the potential for game wreckage jumps off the screen. His leg length gives him a dangerous first step that puts pressure on his opponent to set before he is ready, which then allows him to use his long arms and quick hands to rip and dip around the corner before his blocker can get near him. When he keeps his body clean, he flashes the ability to uncoil and rip down ball carriers in run defense, aided by active feet that allow him to maintain good body balance. Solid play recognition also helps in this department. Areas of improvement are worthiest of mention when they can unlock something truly special, and I believe this is the case with White. With the continued development of his core strength, he will be able to absorb contact better, and use his length and agility to be a nightmare for opposing offenses trying to gain the edge on his side. If he can add some more violence and power to his game as he develops into his frame, he will be able to take advantage of his long first step and drive blockers back into the QB before they can get behind their pads, and set up devastating counter moves when they’re forced out of position. As his game develops, Zach White will continue to gain the tools to make him a valuable piece on a collegiate defense’s chessboard, and someone an offense has to account for on every down, as he has a very good chance to turn into a legitimate destructive force for whichever collegiate defensive coordinator is lucky enough to sign him.