Jordan’s Notebook: 24′ DB Breakdowns
Over the next few months, we’re going to be diving into positional breakdowns to highlight every single student athlete on our radar to help get their name out there to the College Coaches that subscribe to our service. We’ve added…
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Continue ReadingOver the next few months, we’re going to be diving into positional breakdowns to highlight every single student athlete on our radar to help get their name out there to the College Coaches that subscribe to our service. We’ve added over 200+ prospects to our class of 24′ rankings. If you feel like you should be ranked fill out our FREE Prospect Player Index which not only gets you on our radar but also college coaches’ radar’s as they can contact you straight off your account. Enough said, we’re diving into our positional rankings breakdowns with the defensive backs. Let’s dive into it.
Austin Alexander Austin Alexander 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB Marian Catholic | 2024 State IL Twitter
Mr. Alexander took his snaps on Varsity this last season where he primarily worked as a Safety and also took snaps as a Corner in the redzone as well as a Nickel Corner. We get an insight into his foot quickness and transition skills throughout his highlight. Here, we get to see his quick/compact backpedal as well as his loose hips which he uses to turn and run with the receiver in coverage. When he’s playing tight man coverage in the redzone, he’s able to stay on the receiver’s hip pocket and is aggressive as he plays over/around the receiver forcing a pass breakup on the play. There’s another clip in his highlights where he flips his hips as he stays right on the receiver’s hip and doesn’t get broken off at the top of the route when doing so. This keeps him in a position to make a play on the ball where he forces another pass breakup in the redzone. Both of these clips are him at cornerback. When he’s at Safety in zone coverage he provides an insight into his reads as he’s able to get out to the sideline to help with over the top coverage. There’s a clip in his highlights where he ends up getting there in time to come away with the interception by high pointing the ball. When he’s playing Nickel Corner, he’ll press the slot receiver. Once he does he gets depth in his drop and is able to undercut the route in the middle of the field coming away with the interception. This young man has a willingness to attack the line of scrimmage in run support as well. There’s a clip in his highlights where he plays the alley well by triggering downhill and sticking the ball carrier upon contact. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Rene Gaunaurd Rene Gaunaurd 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Crystal Lake Central | 2024 IL Twitter
Mr. Gaunaurd took his snaps on Varsity this last season where he worked as a Safety. This young man provided an insight into his ability to transition out of his backpedal to close on passes in front of him. This is showcased in his highlight where he’s in “off” man coverage on the slot receiver and is able to close on the receiver getting there just after the catch is secured. He showed insight into his closing ability to cover sideline to sideline in run support, this is seen in his film where he’s able to get to the perimeter to make the tackle along the sideline. This young man can also play the alley well as he triggers downhill once the run is diagnosed and showcased the willingness to fight through receiver blocks to get to the ball carrier to secure the tackle. He does a solid job of staying over his feet and under control to make wrap up tackles. There’s a clip in his highlights where he triggers downhill as he plays the alley putting him in position to meet the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage on outside zone runs. What stands out the most, to me, in his highlights is how he’s the last line of defense. There are multiple clips in his highlights where he takes pursuit angles to make the tackle downfield saving touchdown runs. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
WATCHLIST PLAYERS
Tyler Curtis Tyler Curtis 5'10" | 180 lbs | DB Sycamore | 2024 IL Twitter
Mr. Curtis took his snaps on Varsity this last season working as a Cornerback. He showcased glimpses of being able to transition out of his backpedal to close on the ball carrier on the perimeter once the run is diagnosed. When he’s in zone coverage, he’s able to cover the deep third by staying on the deep route and is able to peel off once the ball is thrown underneath. There’s a clip in his highlights where he’s able to make contact on the receiver right after the catch is secured. He also showcased a glimpse of being able to close to the flat making the tackle when the ball is thrown in front of him as well. In run support, this young man showcased glimpses of being able to stay over his feet and under control when making wrap up tackles. This is seen in his highlight where he comes downhill on the perimeter to secure the open field tackle. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Donnell French Donnell French 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Fenwick | 2024 IL Twitter
Mr. French took his snaps on Varsity this last season working as a Cornerback and at times as a Nickel Corner covering the slot. He showcased glimpses of his quick feet and smooth pedal. There’s a clip in his highlight where he transitions quickly out of his backpedal and uses his closing burst on passes in front of him to secure the tackle in the flat. When in tight man coverage, we get a glimpse of his ability to jolt the receiver with a hard punch slowing the release with the jam. This is seen in his highlights where he gets hands on to re-route and delivers a hard punch making the receiver fall to the ground. He also showcased a glimpse of being able to flip his hip to stay on the receiver’s hip pocket downfield putting him in a position to make a play on the ball. When in zone coverage, this young man showcased a glimpse of planting his foot to drive and close quickly on passes thrown in front of him. One trait to keep an eye on is his consistency in utilizing his recovery speed as he showcased glimpses of being able to do so getting himself back in a position to make a play on the ball when in coverage. This young man also takes pursuit angles to make the tackle downfield. There’s a clip in his highlights where he comes from behind the play on the opposite side of the field and is able to close quickly making th tackle in the middle of the field. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Daniel O’Malley Daniel O’Malley 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Benet Academy | 2024 IL Twitter
Mr. O’Malley took his snaps on JV this last season and worked out of the Safety position. He showcased glimpses of being able to turn his hips to undercut th route in a 2 deep look for the pass breakup. This young man also showcased glimpses of being able to close on passes thrown in front of him and trigger downhill once the quarterback goes to scramble, both of which he secures the tackle. When he’s lined up in the box he showcased glimpses of being able to take blocks head on where he can jolt the run blocker to free up and make the tackle at the line of scrimmage. There’s another clip in his highlights where he takes pursuit angles from the opposite side of the field to make the play along the sideline showcasing his effort. This young man also showcased glimpses of playing the alley where, at times, he can make the tackle at/behind the line of scrimmage while at other times he’ll end up securing the tackle a few yards downfield. Again, this analysis is taken from his JV highlights and we still need to see how his skill set will transition to the Varsity level. What I’m most curious about, is how well he’ll be able to take blocks head on and the impact he’ll be able to make in run support. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Maleek Perkins Maleek Perkins 5'9" | 170 lbs | DB East St. Louis | 2024 IL Twitter
Mr. Perkins took his snaps on Varsity where he showcased his versatility working as a Safety and Corner. He provides an insight into his transition out of his backpedal and closing burst on passes thrown in front of him. There’s a clip in his highlight where he’s able to drive and close on passes in front of him where he got there in time to force a pass breakup by playing around/over the receiver. When in zone coverage at the safety position, he can cover the deep third. There’s a clip in his highlights where he gets depth and is able to undercut the route on the deep ball coming away with the interception. When he’s lined up in the box, he can get to the hook/curl and diagnose the halfback screen quickly. Upon doing so, he plants his foot triggering downhill quickly and is able to drive through the tackle. In run support, there’s a clip in his highlights where he disengages the receiver’s block on the perimeter to secure the tackle as the quarterback is scrambling. He also showcased glimpses of coming down to play the alley as he triggers downhill quickly to secure the tackle. This young man is currently on the watchlist but I expect him to breakout high into the rankings after a productive Junior Season Campaing. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Jordan Suggs Jordan Suggs 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB O'Fallon | 2024 State IL Twitter
Mr. Suggs took his snaps on Varsity this last fall working out of the Cornerback position. He provided an insight into his ability to quickly transition out of his backpedal and close on passes in front of him when in zone coverage covering the flat. When he’s covering the deep third, he stays with his man downfield and showcased his jumping ability as well as his hands and body control. This was seen in a clip where he goes up for a 50/50 ball and forces a pass breakup as a result. The first play of his highlights showcases this young man in tight man coverage inside the 10 yard line. In this clip, he ends up getting shaken at the top of the route for a split second and is able to recover quickly putting him in a position to make a play on the ball. That’s exactly what this young man does as he goes up for 50/50 balls where he climbs to secure the interception and then returns the interception to mid-field setting his team in good field position. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
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