Five GEMS to Keep an 👀 On
Photo: Prep Redzone
Chris Hunt
Happy Wednesday evening to you all! Here are a handful of players you'll want to keep an eye on as the 2022 season gets going. This group features an underrated RB from a small school - and a very intriguing 6'4" athlete in the Houston area that could surprise a lot of coaching staffs this fall.
<em><strong>C Drew Coker - 6'1" 270 / Monahans HS -- @DrewCoker4</strong></em>
Drew is a tough, physical blue-collar workhorse on the interior of the Loboes' offensive line. He's a mauler in the run game, moves well laterally, and is a real technician with a true feel for the position. He's fundamentally sound and understands blocking angles, using body positioning to his advantage. Displays disciplined awareness and good intelligence. Squats 575.
<strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13427687/6241c1174deaf0077c0d908f">Drew Coker Junior Season - Hudl</a></strong>
<em><strong>RB DeAndra Sandles - 6'1" 205 / Mexia HS -- @2626dre</strong></em>
DeAndra plays both RB and DE for the Blackcats, but expects to get a lot more time at RB this fall. He runs with great contact balance and knows how to take the right angles. He's deceptively fast, and can break tackles and bounce outside in a hurry. He also displays above-average vision, especially when reading his blocks at the second level.
<strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14801821/61a5337a3df5f60bac97d06e">DeAndra Sandles Junior Season - Hudl</a></strong>
<em><strong>ATH Burabari Vi-Ura - 6'4" 180 / Alief Hastings HS -- @Bari1x</strong></em>
Burabari doesn't have a lot of recent film, but this is a young man who may come out of nowhere and catch a lot of attention this season. He's a twitchy athlete who displays the ability to take it to the house each and every time he touches the ball. When he's at free safety, he covers a lot of ground quickly and has amazing closing speed. If you watch his film, you'll see that he has the potential to become a high-level college football player.
<em>** injury forced him to miss most of last season. Might miss the start of this one.</em>
<strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12888468/5dc4b12af31cd20e8c5d89ed">Burabari Vi-ura Highlights - Hudl</a></strong>
<strong><em>WR Parker Barley - 6'0" 185 / Grapevine Faith Christian School -- @BarleyParker</em></strong>
Parker has terrific short area burst and quickness, and is an exceptional route runner. He is light on his feet at the top of his routes and in his breaks, and is an elusive player who can slide through crevices between defenders. He displays great long range speed, though he lacks the leaping ability and length to leverage defenders down the field. He has very good hands and vision, and is an effective run-after-catch player. He has exceptional balance and can torque his body near the sideline to make tough catches. Barley has the stuff to become a 100 yard per game receiver at the college level.
<strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11730517/61a457ee3df5f60bac9772a6">Parker Barley Junior Season - Hudl</a></strong>
<em><strong>SS Kevin Cunningham - 6'0" 190 / Rockwall HS -- @Kevin_C257</strong></em>
Cunningham was a valuable defender for the Yellowjackets in 2021, locking down the short middle of the field. He has a good skill set with upside, and could find himself on a top-level Division 2 roster next year. His best fit, in my opinion, is at strong safety, as he is at his best closer to the line of scrimmage. Always seems to be in the right position to make a play, which suggests a very high football IQ. He does show promise as a center-fielder, which makes this young man a worthwhile watch for college coaches looking for an instinctive safety in 2023.
<strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13219100/61a818ea7bd418054c5068c0">Kevin Cunningham Junior Season - Hudl</a></strong>
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