#PRZTN Showcase: Top Defensive Performers

Diving back into the #PRZTN Winter Showcase, here we look at the prospects from the defensive side of the ball who showed up at Oakland High School and not just stood out but showed out as top performers. Many were considered but these are the ten guys who had the best individual performances. 1. (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="102311" first="Langston" last="Rogers"] - Lausanne - Billed as one of the top prospects attending, Rogers did not disappoint and more than met expectations as one of the best defensive prospects for the in-state 2023 class. The Lynx junior defender has college size and physical traits that collegiate coaches love to work with and that can be used all over the secondary. Rogers showed on Sunday his ability to stay outside at cover corner along with upside to become big time at the position over time. At worst, Rogers can slide back into either safety spot and excel at a high level. This Memphis area defensive back will be a highly offered prospect, it’s just a matter of time. 2. (DT) [player_tooltip player_id="207303" first="Barry" last="Peter"] - Stewarts Creek (‘24) - The defensive MVP of the entire camp was Peter as this guy impressed everybody and basically dominated every offensive linemen he went up against. This dude was tough to handle up front because of Peter’s powerful upper body and agile lower base. The Redhawks sophomore D-linemen has outstanding feet. He moves light and easy but packs a punch. Peter is a bit undersized at 6’0 but he plays much bigger and attacks all offensive linemen with aggression and power. He shows good pass rushing abilities while being strong enough to stand up blocks and compete vs. the run. Watch out for this guy over the next two years. 3. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102300" first="Stef" last="Ponder"] - Father Ryan <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-251042" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/65-JaLyric-Cullom-29-Stefan-Ponder.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> - The top coverage linebacker of camp was Ponder and it was an impressive performance considering that the Middle Tennessee product is just now transitioning fully over to the defensive side of the ball. Ponder is physically well built and has the long arms to stay close to would-be receivers. He plays a smart brand of football, so he understands angles and where he needs to be to make a play on the ball. Being that Ponder is a former running back, that makes sense but he still has a ways to go learning the linebacker position. If continues to improve over the coming months, watch for this guy to become an offered prospect. 4. (S) [player_tooltip player_id="150470" first="Dylan" last="Doerfler"] - GCA - This was a breakout performance from Doerfler and a combine that put him on the map as possibly the top safety prospect from the East Tennessee region. The Rams junior defensive back moves smoothly in and out of his breaks and showed nice recovery speed when covering routes. He has nice size too at 6’0 with long arms and legs that can cover a lot of ground. Doerfler is quite athletic and fits perfectly on the next level at the free safety position. He does need to keep packing on some weight but the frame is there for that as are the other traits to make his way onto the college gridiron. 5. (DE) [player_tooltip player_id="149299" first="Ryan" last="Robinson"] - Father Ryan (‘24) <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-250992" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/18-Ryan-Robinson-1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> - The #PRZTN Showcase was an event that this Fighting Irish sophomore rush end took full advantage of and came out as one of the top performing defensive linemen in attendance. Robinson is an active and intense guy that competes hard every snap and that motor was hard to contain last Sunday. What Robinson does that best at this juncture in his game is his hand usage and ability to bend around the tackle. He is also a smart rusher that knows how to get into the backfield in a variety of ways. This Middle Tennessee product is still developing his overall game but he sports strong upside and the abilities to one day reach the collegiate level. 6. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="201081" first="Jackson" last="Steele"] - Carter - College coaches need to start paying attention to this guy because Steele has the college size, physical traits and movement abilities that play up well on the next level. This East Tennessee linebacker displayed all these skills and then some at the Showcase last Sunday and showed to me why he could be one of the top in-state LB’s for the 2023 class. Steele is an athletic guy who showed great lower body movements along with the ability to play in coverage. He is still learning himself and all the tricks to play the linebacker position but strong potential is there. Expect to hear more about this guy over the coming months. 7. (DE) [player_tooltip player_id="250863" first="Luke" last="Hyatt"] - DCA (‘24) <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-250981" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/15-Luke-Hyatt-1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> - Many may not have known about Hyatt coming into this combine but they will now after the Wildcats sophomore D-lineman was an absolute force at the Showcase that many O-linemen could not block. Hyatt was the best of all defensive ends at using his hands and using his quickness to get around the edge. At times, Hyatt was unblockable and he wasn’t showing many weaknesses. Hyatt does need to keep developing into his body and packing on more muscle and size but you can’t debate his motor and initial quickness off the line. Look for Hyatt to become a possible sack master for the next few years over at DCA. 8. (DT) [player_tooltip player_id="207305" first="Evan" last="Briggs"] - Upperman (‘24) <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-250975" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/10-Evan-BRIGGS-1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> - This was Briggs first ever combine setting and he more than handled himself, he performed at a high level at times and never stopped competing until the end of camp. Briggs is a well put together young man as a sophomore that will continue to grow into his body over the next two years. He is a bit of a tweener right now, meaning he could play on the outside as well but has time to grow into that defensive tackle body. Briggs is a powerful young man that knows how to use his strength to work himself into the backfield and has a mobile lower base that will improve over time. Briggs is an interesting talent that should be on the college radar sooner than later. 9. (S) [player_tooltip player_id="185584" first="Marliss" last="Gray"] - Haywood <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-250960" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/6-Marliss-Gray1-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> - Gray made the long track over from West Tennessee to Murfreesboro in hopes of having a stand out performance and putting himself on the map and boy he did just that! This Tomcats safety backs up everything I’ve seen on film from his size, athleticism and quick reactions to the football. Gray ran and performed well during the testing portion of camp then proceeded to look strong throughout the 1 on 1 competitions. His instincts are what stand out the most to me as he just has a knack for either being around the ball or knowing where it’s going. This could be the next great Tomcat to head off to the D1 college ranks. 10. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="244642" first="Cooper" last="McAfee"] - Brentwood (‘24) - McAfee was one of the biggest surprises of everybody at the #PRZTN Showcase and he is now a guy I must keep tabs on going forward. Possibly the smartest linebacker in attendance, McAfee was on point throughout the entire camp, never missing a beat and taking to directions very well. He was also one of the best at covering running backs out of the backfield, attacking and using his physicality to slow up the play. McAfee has good size too as a sophomore, standing 6’2 along with a wide upper radius. I am excited to watch this guys progression over the coming years as he shows upside as a future college linebacker. Five Others Considered: (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="201083" first="Eli" last="Denton"] - Walker Valley, (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="231145" first="TaVarius" last="Burton"] - St. Benedict, (DL) [player_tooltip player_id="149372" first="Eli" last="Nelson"] - Anderson Co., (DT) [player_tooltip player_id="250849" first="Abraham" last="Cromartie"] - Father Ryan, (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="149383" first="Mason" last="Curtis"] - Ensworth <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-250996" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/22-Mason-Curtis2.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />