Longview Regional Round Standouts

Last Friday at Memorial Stadium in Mesquite, TX I got out to watch the Denton Ryan vs Longview rematch from week 1 of the season that saw the Raiders put on a dominant performance winning 40-7. But this go around in the Regional Round of the 5A Division 1 Playoffs was a different story that saw a high scoring, close game come down to the wire with the Raiders surviving with a 37-33 victory. There was talent all over the field with these two programs but these were the prospects below that really stood out on the day for the Lobos. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Offensive Standouts - </strong></span> [player_tooltip player_id="60850" first="Jalen" last="Hale"] - 2023 WR - 6'3"/185: Being as heralded as a recruit as he is, Hale is obviously well known and highly regarded but this was my first time getting to see him in a live game setting. It's no secret that he brings a long, athletic frame on his build with easy ball skills. In fact, everything looks smooth and easy with Hale, from his route running and agility to his ability to create YAC with his vision, speed and even flashed a bullyish stiff arm at one point as well. He flashed the ability to manipulate defenders with his body in his route and also showed the speed to be a true down field threat. The game started off slowly for him in the 1st half but man after halftime is when he really came to life. That's when Longview started to really target him in the passing game and when they did, it either resulted in chunk plays after the catch with Hale gliding through the secondary setting up the Lobo's deep in Raider's territory on multiple occasions or in the end-zone for six. He definitely did not disappoint facing a defense as good as Denton Ryan has with the speed and athletes they have in the secondary finishing the night with well over 100-yards and two-touchdowns. Pretty easy to see why programs like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and any other Blue Blood program out there has already offered. Going to be fun to watch him throughout the camp season and throughout his SR year to see how he continues to develop but also where he lands at the next level. https://twitter.com/AKing_Evals/status/1464376753602895873 https://twitter.com/AKing_Evals/status/1464365544388403200 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13186806/61a1a2e6d21bad0a68f8f70a" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Taylor Tatum</strong> - 2024 RB - 5'11"/195: Tatum was one that left me wanting to see more due to an injury he suffered early on in the game that kept him out the rest of the night. The few carries I did see were impressive though as he showed a strong burst and speed on one play to get the edge on a fast Raiders defense. Showed quick feet in the hole to make defenders miss. But the most impressive run he had before he left the game was on the run in the tweet below. See the burst he brings through the hole and the lowers his pad level to get behind those pads, spun multiple times and kept those feet churning carrying defenders into the endzone. Shows the tough, down hill, physical style he brings to the position. Texas Tech offered shortly after this game to add to his Washington offer. But being only a sophomore and plenty of time to continue to grow at the position, add size to his frame and even more speed, this guy will have plenty of FBS/Power 5 offers to choose from by the time his NSD arrives. https://twitter.com/AKing_Evals/status/1464341151121481729 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15262584/61a1a26e02b2b10a807cac57" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Josh Thomas</strong> - 2022 QB - 6'1"/195: The game didn't start out all that fast for Thomas who took a bit to get into a rhythm as the Lobos who initially took the lead early in the 1st quarter went cold the rest of the 1st half where they trailed 17-7, due to the tough Raider's defense. Just before the half Thomas had marched the Lobo offense down the field for what looked like a promising drive that would eat into the Raiders lead but threw an interception on the famous Tebow-esque jump pass deep in the red zone. But the 2nd half was a whole different story for the senior signal caller who not only lit it up through the air but started ripping off chunk runs to move the chains when it was needed with his legs. He's not a blazer but is a really effective runner showing nice change of direction, vision and physicality to make defenders miss in space. Did it time and time again. His arm seemed to catch fire though as in the second half it seemed every other throw turned into a big play especially in the 4th quarter when it was needed most. Showed the ability to create space with his feet to set his base, displayed nice timing on RPO timing type routes across the middle and hit two big throws over the top for touchdowns on roll out-throw back type plays. He finished the night with 3 touchdown passes and a TD run as well. He currently holds a couple DII offers but will be interested to see if anymore jump on board with the dual threat ability he brings before NSD. https://twitter.com/AKing_Evals/status/1464369643167100929 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11883079/61a1a2589680fb0ac0ab5ea6" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> <strong>Dekalon Taylor</strong> - 2022 WR - 5'7"/170: It was very apparent the first time I saw Dekalon touch the ball the type of big time speed he brings to the table. Dude can flat out fly as he showed on the track last year with a 10.49 in the 100m. Got to see him open it up on multiple kick off returns a bit where he also showed off impressive contact balance. On one occasion getting his hand on the ground to keep him from going down and the other time just running right through a tackle. At his size, with his low center of gravity made him difficult to tackle. He was given a few chances in the passing game and cashed in on one of those opportunities as you see in the tweet below where he ran across the field displaying his impressive burst after luring the secondary to sleep. Would have liked to see him get some opportunities in the quick passing game, on some jet sweeps or in the screen game to let him utilize his speed in space. His size is most likely the issue keeping him from offers but man with that speed, someone needs to give this kid an opportunity as he is a HR threat anytime he touches the ball. https://twitter.com/AKing_Evals/status/1464373820488404999   <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Defensive Standouts</span> - </strong> <strong>Willie Nelson</strong> - 2024 CB - 5'10"/165: Nelson was someone I was really looking forward to seeing up close as you see in the tweet below after getting a look at his film the week of the game. I actually hadn't even decided on a game yet but happened to come across his film and was extremely impressed with what I saw so it helped me make my decision to head out to this game. You see his change of direction here in warm ups and the ability to sink his hips in his break in the tweet below. Early into the game Ryan tested him in the red zone on a fade but even though he initially peeks in the backfield with his back to the QB, he was able to re-adjust to the ball, getting his head around and knocked it away to force the incompletion. Really nice play. Now he was lined up in man on Ryan's 2023 WR Jordyn Bailey who is extremely explosive with big time speed and holds numerous Power-5/FBS offers already, so it was a tough assignment. A couple of times Bailey was able to create separation off the line on a deep throw and that is when Nelson showed off his impressive recovery speed. One fell incomplete but the second that Bailey was able to haul in, Nelson came flying up behind him and almost forced the incompletion. Kids got wheels. Also really liked the physicality he showed coming down hill vs the run as a willing tackler and in his ability to fight off blocks to make a tackle as well. He doesn't hold any offers yet but fully expect his recruitment to take off as we get into the camp season and moving forward with the tools and potential he brings to the position. https://twitter.com/AKing_Evals/status/1464327581801631745?s=20 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13719397/61a3eca99a913b0bc46ef753" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Kaden Brooks</strong> - 2022 S - 5'10"/180: This dude had to be the Lobo's defensive player of the game as he was everywhere that night. Playing LB for his squad, from the jump he was in on numerous plays in the backfield early on and the production continued throughout the night. His stat line was filled finishing with 11-tackles, 6-tackles for loss and a sack. With his size LB won't be his future but could see him playing a in the box safety type roll with his ability to play the run as he displayed the ability to get low and knife through gaps and has the quickness and speed to close space in a hurry. Mix that with the motor he plays with and you have a tackling machine. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14535718/61a22ee1da518c051812587b" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> <strong>Jeremiah Rougely</strong> - 2023 Edge - 6'2'/225: Like Nelson, Rougely was someone else I happened to come across on film as well earlier that week and thought he flashed a bit as I noted in the tweet below. Also, this drill in the tweet below gives you a glimpse of his athleticism showing some explosive hops he brings. During the game he showed the same non-stop motor and speed I saw on some of his game clips. Even when the ball went the opposite direction saw him time and time again, spin off a block and chase arriving with violent intentions. Liked how he would use his length to keep blockers off his body but as he continues to develop want to see him be more violent when disengaging to get quicker separation off blocks. As a pass rusher he showed he can bend and the explosiveness and speed off the edge he brings at times to get the corner almost getting home a couple of times. He still has a whole nother year to keep developing his game as a pass rusher and in the weight room and with the athletic tools he brings is one to know moving forward. https://twitter.com/AKing_Evals/status/1464336971350908929 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14425587/61a1bef15ca8dd08f015af9c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>    