2023 Rankings Newcomers: Defense

<em>With the release of the updated CA 2023 rankings, here’s an in-depth analysis of several new prospects making the list. </em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190273" first="Jordan" last="Shaw"], DB, St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy</strong> The 6’0” 165 lb. DB is currently one of the fasting rising 2023 recruits on the west coast with offers coming in from the majority of PAC12 programs including USC, Oregon, Washington, ASU, Cal, and Washington State. He’s an explosive athlete that can be a game breaker in all three phases. Flashes great top end speed, lateral quickness, and burst to close. His acceleration and ability to get to that second gear within a few strides allow him to be rangy in the secondary and make plays all over the field. He’s violent and aggressive as a tackler coming down hill hard to deliver strong contact every chance he gets. He’s big time power 5 prospect that will have double digit offers before long. [caption id="attachment_168413" align="alignleft" width="201"]<img class=" wp-image-168413" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/07/Afalava-crop-767x504-1625831066.jpeg" alt="" width="201" height="132" /> Photo: Hudl-[player_tooltip player_id="190272" first="Tiumalu" last="Afalava"][/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190272" first="Tiumalu" last="Afalava"], DL, Bishop Amat</strong> Versatile prospect that has the size and ability to be effective at any position on the defensive line. A very capable athlete with good initial quickness off the LOS, he comes hard off the ball to gain positioning and penetration before the play can develop. Shows plus lateral agility, bend, and short area burst as a pass rusher and in pursuit. Naturally very powerful at the POA, he’s able to win both one on ones and double teams with strength alone. Can also anchor down to neutralize a blocker and fill a gap. Good all around technique and fundamentals with his hands and footwork. He’s quickly becoming one of the top DL recruits in the state with offers coming in from some of the top programs nation wide including Georgia, Florida State, Michigan, and Miami. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190337" first="Brady" last="Nassar"], DL, Amador Valley</strong> Already has college level size, length, and frame at 6’5” 240 lbs. with room to add weight entering his junior season. Has shown great year over year improvement athletically and technically. Plus body control and coordination coming off the edge with good bend and an explosive first step. He’s naturally strong at the contact point understanding how to use his balance and leverage to his advantage. Love his command and variation of different moves to disengage and beat a block while locating the ball carrier. Recruitment is just getting started after collecting an offer from Washington in early August. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190338" first="Blake" last="Nichelson"], LB, Manteca <img class=" wp-image-24524 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/06/Generic-Featured-Image-5.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="125" /></strong> Strong all-around prospect with a great combination of size, length, and athleticism. Shows good range and speed in pursuit, he closes on the ball quickly using his short area burst and lateral agility to chase ball carriers sideline to sideline. Good nose for the football, he does a great job diagnosing run/pass as the play is developing and possesses a quick trigger to react. Plays all over the field for his HS team but shows good growth potential as a college level LB displaying natural movement skills with his bend and flexibility in the knees and ankles. Picked up his first two offers in June from Oregon State and Fresno State but is a major D1 recruit with a high ceiling as he continues to develop. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190339" first="Warren" last="Smith"], DB, El Cerrito</strong> Strong all-around physical skillset with impressive natural athleticism and fluidity. He’s smooth in the hips and flashes good change-of-direction to transition and match WR movement. Good back pedal, flip, and burst out to eat up space and effectively cover the deep ball. Ball skills are a plus, shows he track/adjust while timing out his jump to attack the ball at the high point. Possesses the length college coaches look for in a Corner at 6’1” 175 lbs. Offered by Colorado in May but has a lot of untapped potential and upside to build on that number and be a major D1 recruit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190344" first="Greco" last="Carrillo"], DB, Folsom</strong> Carrillo offers great versatility in the secondary with his ability to play Corner, Safety, or Nickel. He’s smart and instinctual with great route recognition and anticipation to put himself in position to make plays. He’s loose in the hips with good change-of-direction and a strong burst out of his transition to drive on the ball. Shows good reactionary quickness and awareness with the ball in the air. Love his competitive nature playing fast, physical, and tough throughout. He’s an all-around strong cover guy, he might not have the length that jumps out as a DB which could explain why he’s so under recruited but he can play and is no doubt a D1 prospect.