Vic’s Mailbag, August 18th: Rapid-Fire Evals

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="186319" first="Gavin" last="Murdock"] | 5’11, 180 | QB/DB | Lakeview | 2022 Congrats to [player_tooltip player_id="186319" first="Gavin" last="Murdock"] for recently landed a spot on our updated preseason senior rankings. Debuting as the 253rd senior prospect, Murdock has one of the better all-around games of any quarterback in his class. Highly productive player when passing the football or when utilizing his legs, accounting for 1600 yards of total offense that is almost split down the middle (884 passing, 744 rushing), tallying 13 total touchdowns to match. All this while also averaging seven tackles a game from his safety spot. I love how Murdock’s lack of prototypical size hasn’t hampered his ability to produce on either side of the ball. Najeh Austin | 5’8, 210 | LB | Carlynton | 2024 Limited film for the sophomore last year, just three games. A ton of hustle plays on special teams and as a clean-up tackler. Not much to go off of to provide a real evaluation, but this is a player I will have my eye on. I do love how his coaches seemingly trust him to play multiple positions on defense. He provides reps at defensive tackle as well as at middle linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id="140975" first="Darold" last="Dengohe"] | 6’3, 255 | DL | LaSalle | 2023 Dengohe was one of the first prospects I covered when starting at PRZPA. I’m happy to revisit his film and see what his sophomore campaign had in store. Dengohe is an edge-rusher/ 3-tech who wants to beat you with raw strength. His weight doesn’t allow for a great get-off or bend when pass-rushing, but the kid has a phenomenal initial punch and serious leg power to drive and control his opponent. Reliable when in the backfield. He makes sure to break down well in space and wrap up on tackles. He’s disciplined when it’s time to bring the ball carrier down. Hardly saw him lunging over his feet when attempting to bring down players. Would love to see how his strength matches up with the best guards in Philly because his size/weight combination could make him a prized defensive tackle prospect, if his strength can hold up. Ryan Tewell | ATH | Northwestern | 2022 Ryan Tewell, a senior quarterback out of Northwestern HS, produced at a high rate his past junior season. I think the ATH designation is fitting, watching his tape showed a player who is capable of running zone-read/option sets in the backfield, and being proficient at doing so. Tewell’s an athlete with exceptional peripheral vision and good vision between the tackles. I think he has a ways to go as a passer, but he’s got natural arm talent. I think it’s a great decision to have a player of his skillset run the offense if an archetypal quarterback isn’t available. [player_tooltip player_id="93052" first="Nate" last="Ewell"] | 5’8, 175 | DL/LB | SSA | 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="93052" first="Nate" last="Ewell"]’s a fun player to watch. I like this prospect at weak-side linebacker or rushing the passer off the edge at OLB. He’s got quick feet and solid run-pass diagnosis, especially diagnosing the run. His frame is what leaves me with a ton of questions. He produces when rushing the passer from the end spot, hand in the dirt, but I don’t see the speed or strength necessary to grow as a pure pass-rusher. I think he moves well in space and think outside linebacker is where his future is brightest. No matter what I think, Ewell provided reps at EDGE, DT as well as at OLB for Shady Side, and did a hell of a job doing so last fall. Zach Welsh | 5’7, 175 | ATH | Washington | 2024 This is a player to watch in the future. I'll be sure to add Zach Welsh to our 2024 Watchlist. He's got a low-to-the-ground tough running style that matches the attitude he plays with. He will seek you out at the second-level and attempt to run through you for first downs. A lot of his production has come on the Freshman Team, nonetheless, Welsh flashed some advanced traits when touting the rock. He's got the ability to set up his blocking on outside zone runs. He has good bounce-out vision and has the eye/hat discipline to set up his cuts. He's a playmaker at defensive back too, multiple interceptions and PBU's from a 5'7 unassuming prospect. Excited to see what this kid has in store. Vance Johnson | 6’1, 162 | WR/DB | Central | 2024 Here's another intriguing 2024 prospect out of Central High School in Philadelphia. He's got the ideal frame at such a young age, long arms and legs that allow him to stride well in open space. He's got room to grow under his pads as well. I could see him turn that 162 into 175 quickly. Shows early alignment versatility, providing reps inside and out for CHS. Frames the ball well away from his body even when catching balls on the move, an advanced trait. Not elusive in any way but can outrun opponents after the catch thanks to the previously-mentioned stride.Eats up yards when running crossers, would love to see what kind of vertical game he has. A plus, Johnson also provides Central with occasional pass-rush reps. His athleticism and build would make him an interesting EDGE/OLB prospect if he can hit the weight room.