2023 Class Position Fits

Many of the top prospects in this class are high-end starters at multiple positions. This article aims to give a rationale to these athletes honing their craft at one position. To get the most out of their high-end potential and be the best players they can be. As these athletes sojourn through their football journeys they will at one point or another have to tie down what position they make the most impact. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11465703/6191b90104282b0898dbe7c5"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="215508" first="Chase" last="Lorencovitz"], Wallkill Valley</strong></a> <em><strong>Best Position: Linebacker</strong></em> Lorencovitz is a very explosive player at the linebacker position. Standing at 6’1 215 he’s bigger than most athletes in his class in terms of weight and builds. Linebacker should be his preferred spot because he flashes high-end potential. He brings good size, physicality, and instincts to the position. The first and most important trait is his ability to diagnose and react in seconds to ball carriers. He does this on a number of plays where they most times result in tackles for loss. Secondly, he shows the ability to take on blocks in the run game. Uses his hands well and is able to stand up blockers. Also uses his hands well, while defeating blocks on the run. Does a good job of evading blockers when they reach the second level. A sure tackler in one-on-one situations. Lastly, he shows good burst when attacking downhill and has solid range sideline to sideline. He’s able to cover a lot of ground effectively and make many plays at or behind the LOS. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">[player_tooltip player_id="215508" first="Chase" last="Lorencovitz"] 2023 Wallkill Valley HS NJ 6’ 210lb LB/WR 4.26 GPA | 3-Sport ATH Cell: 862-777-2445 1st Team All Group Offense 1st Team NJ Herald Defense 1st Team All-Conference Offense 11th in NJ Rec Yards <a href="https://t.co/blTGCEDILa">pic.twitter.com/blTGCEDILa</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="215508" first="Chase" last="Lorencovitz"] (@lorencovitz1) <a href="https://twitter.com/lorencovitz1/status/1475550135308492800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Lorencovitz has a transferrable skillset from wide receiver to  linebacker that will allow him to be solid in coverage. There are not many routes on tape of him having to drop and sink his hips to change direction, but that doesn’t mean he can’t do it. If he works on honing his skills as a linebacker and a specific emphasis on his play in coverage, we could see a lot of colleges hot to recruit him. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15113296/619192e93df541031c14026d"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="181900" first="Kyle" last="Hall"], Rahway</strong></a> <em><strong>Best Position: Defensive Back</strong></em> As you watch [player_tooltip player_id="181900" first="Kyle" last="Hall"]’s defensive tape you see him playing linebacker but at that size, it’s tough to try to find linebackers who are playing at 180 and 6’0 without a freakishly long wingspan to affect passing lanes on the college and NFL levels. As you continue to sift through his defensive tape you see his constant prowess around the ball. He has very good ball skills and solid play at the catch point. He moves very well laterally and has solid play in coverage. He can also play downhill and tackle very well and is solid in one-on-one situations. He is also a standout wide receiver which should make his transition easier. His evaluation shows high-end traits at both safety and cornerback. If he plays safety it would allow him to create a lot of chaos at many different alignments. Has the movement skills due to his background as a wide receiver to cover slot wide receivers. He plays linebacker so he has some familiarity with run fits and stopping the run. He has good burst and instincts to make plays at or behind of line scrimmage. Lastly, playing wide receiver then converting to safety can help you recognize route patterns and concepts which only make him more of a ballhawk, making plays in the secondary. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="181934" first="Malcolm" last="Stansbury"], Edison</strong> <strong><em>Best Position: Wide Reciever</em></strong> [player_tooltip player_id="181934" first="Malcolm" last="Stansbury"] has some of the most promising tape in the 2023 class. Although he’s an all-conference defensive back his tape at wide receiver really stands out because of one dominant trait. [player_tooltip player_id="181934" first="Malcolm" last="Stansbury"] has some uncanny suddenness while running routes. The only issue you run into is that you don’t see it on a consistent basis. Whether it’s because he’s tired from running both ways or because he hasn’t honed that craft. That is the one trait that all the great wide receivers possess elite suddenness. This is a trait that he flashes on SOME of his routes, but he has the ability to do consistently. If he takes he decides to take the wide receiver position the sky is the limit for his potential. &nbsp; <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Edison <a href="https://twitter.com/ehsgridiron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ehsgridiron</a> scores 1st on this Matt Yascko Jr’s <a href="https://twitter.com/MattYascko?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MattYascko</a> throw to [player_tooltip player_id="181934" first="Malcolm" last="Stansbury"] <a href="https://twitter.com/1kMalc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1kMalc</a> for a 44-yard TD <a href="https://t.co/yw0XIb1VZv">pic.twitter.com/yw0XIb1VZv</a></p> — Marcus A. Borden (@bordenfb4ever) <a href="https://twitter.com/bordenfb4ever/status/1439369245272457219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>