Under-The-Radar: Five 2023 Hybrid Defenders

Ryan Wesley

February 22, 2022 @ 07:28 PM

Many defensive players find themselves filling multiple roles for their team, especially when the scheme calls for player adjustments on the fly. Some outside linebackers are versatile enough to play as a strong safety, while some nickel corners can play in the box or as a safety, and some safeties are interchangeable throughout the secondary. Hybrid defensive players expand their potential as college prospects, especially when they are able to make plays from all over the field. Each of the five players on this list is an under-the-radar type of athlete who can play in different positions on the defensive side of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id="150173" first="Jaxon" last="Thompson"] | Smoky Hill | 6’2”, 185lbs | OLB/SS Thompson is more of an outside linebacker in high school than he is a defensive back, but he possesses the ideal makeup of a hybrid strong safety who instantly passes the eye test with his size. His ability to fill the box and play against the run as a traditional OLB is just as dominant as his ability to play against the pass in coverage. He is a downhill player who does a fantastic job at tracking the ball carrier and closing the distance with lightning speed and bad intentions. Thompson is also a hard-hitting player who rallies to the ball to initiate devastating contact and finish tackles on every play. He has received some attention from colleges but is still a major sleeper who is waiting on his first offer. [embed]https://twitter.com/jaxonmt_/status/1457930158321532930?s=20&t=Uk2ny7ZEVkNM4LHiXcNh2w[/embed]   [player_tooltip player_id="289492" first="Braylen" last="Warren"] | Cherry Creek | 6’2”, 175lbs | CB/S Warren is a true secondary player with great height and length who plays as a corner and a safety. His movements are fluid when he plays in coverage thanks to his footwork and disciplined eyes. One of the many things that stands out about him is his eagerness to fly downhill and make tackles from anywhere in the secondary. Warren is a technically sound DB with a physical playing style who will be entering his senior year as a reigning 5A state champ who should expect a launch in his recruiting process. [embed]https://twitter.com/braylen_warren_/status/1456715102879576069?s=20&t=Uk2ny7ZEVkNM4LHiXcNh2w[/embed]   [player_tooltip player_id="247228" first="Gibson" last="Leafgreen"] | Grandview | 6’0, 170lbs | S Leafgreen is an explosive safety with a ball-hawking mentality. He can line up as a strong safety and play within the box or fill the role of free safety and keep everything underneath him. He is quick and decisive when reading the QB, flying downhill with explosive speed and great pursuit techniques. His ability to disrupt plays comes from his physical playing style and “dawg” mentality. Leafgreen is a viable member of a dominant secondary whose name should be circled as a legitimate recruit. [embed]https://twitter.com/Gibson23340397/status/1468698052630253571?s=20&t=EMH85j9Sp3V6zymP8sSVUg[/embed]   [player_tooltip player_id="289491" first="Nasir" last="Simmons"] | Rangeview | 5’7, 145lbs | CB/S Simmons is a prime example of why it is so vital for programs to focus more on recruiting talent rather than worrying more about size. He is a nickel who can easily fill the role of deep safety. His coverage abilities are founded upon a strong set of technical skills that consist of solid footwork, disciplined eyes, and exceptional speed. He can also provide support in the box by using excellent pursuit and angle tackling skills against outside runs and when pressuring the quarterback. Simmons displays relentless physicality and a strong understanding of leverage every time he steps onto the field, making him a prime sleeper as a recruit. [embed]https://twitter.com/Nasir_Simmons4/status/1458579046216855552?s=20&t=EMH85j9Sp3V6zymP8sSVUg[/embed]   [player_tooltip player_id="150070" first="Ethan" last="Kunkel"] | Boulder | 5’9”, 175lbs | CB Kunkel is another high-motor defensive player who can fill multiple roles in the secondary, as well as line up as an outside backer who brings pressure off of the edge. He is a scrappy player who has a nose for the ball and plays to the whistle on each snap. His sure tackling abilities mixed with his explosive speed enable him to disrupt offensive plays from anywhere on the field, especially when he blitzes off of the edge. He does a great job in coverage when playing flats, hook to curl, deep zone, and man. Kunkel is starting to garner attention from a few schools, making him another play to circle this fall. [embed]https://twitter.com/ethank_13/status/1456755393615462402?s=20&t=EMH85j9Sp3V6zymP8sSVUg[/embed]