Northern California: Unknown Breakout Defensive Players

Photo: David Royal Herald Correspondent

Paul Gregorian August 17, 2021 @ 03:50 PM

As we enter into the Fall season this week, there are lots of under the radar defensive players across the region that will see their stock rise through their 2021 seasons and are poised for breakout seasons. Below, we will take a deep dive into the film of some of the best available Northern California defenders that will collect more college interest and possible offers as they move through their final seasons of high school football. <hr />   ILB Amir Brown, Carmel HS 2022 [caption id="attachment_186444" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-186444" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-17-at-1.12.04-PM-300x275.png" alt="" width="300" height="275" /> Photo: David Royal, Herald Correspondent[/caption] A very well put together athletic defender, Brown is a new-age inside linebacker at the next level due to cover skills, range and open field speed/movement abilities. He is an instinctual defender that can apply pressure up the middle and close quickly, while a strong tackler in the open field with good COD abilities. On tape, he shows he can take good angles to ball carriers while bringing a nice thump on contact while making plays sideline to sideline and also tough in the box with heavy hands and a good pad level. Overall, he is a very athletic and balanced linebacker that could very well wind up at the Division I level.     EDGE Jimmy Brear, Del Oro HS 2022 [caption id="attachment_186451" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-186451" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-17-at-1.23.20-PM-300x264.png" alt="" width="300" height="264" /> Photo: Jimmy Brear Twitter[/caption] Brear is one of the best defenders across the entire SFL and greater Bay Area and will have a dominant season for Del Oro. A well put together kid with great strength, he plays with a high motor and good athleticism for the edge position. Quick off the ball, Brear wins with natural bend and first step explosion while able to rush the passer from both inside or off the edge and shows he can tackle in space and chase down plays backside when needed, while taking good angles to ball carriers and using leverage and active hands to defeat blocks. A very versatile defender, he can play multiple positions at the next level.     DL Reggie Miles, Lincoln-Stockton HS 2022 [caption id="attachment_186458" align="alignright" width="260"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-186458" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-17-at-1.38.56-PM-260x300.png" alt="" width="260" height="300" /> Photo: Reggie Miles Twitter[/caption] One of the most active and best interior defensive linemen in all of Northern California that many people do not know about, Miles is poised for a huge Senior campaign. Although a bit undersized, he plays with tremendous pad level and first step explosion while able to get his hands on blockers early and control their chest and keep a consistent base. A plug against the run, he can also rush the passer from different angles as he shows a quick use of hands at the POA and the ability to flip his hips in tight windows and close quickly. A high motor and violent player, he currently holds one offer from Benedictine College and should see others come his way soon as he straps up for Lincoln High School this Fall.