Sleeper Squad: 2023 Defensive Prospects

Ryan Wesley

March 24, 2022 @ 07:00 PM

Building a college roster is about more than just finding the players with the highest overall ratings. Successful recruiting involves finding players who are great fits for a program’s scheme. This article will highlight eight defensive sleepers from each position who possess the necessary qualities to be legitimate additions to recruiting boards.   [player_tooltip player_id="22777" first="Cole" last="Young"] | Rampart | 6’2”, 285lbs | DT Young is a powerful player who brings a massive amount of strength to the line on both sides of the ball. He can lockout offensive linemen with one arm and drive them into the backfield while staying aware of the ball’s location. He forces runners to change direction, and he is extremely disruptive against the pass. Young is an explosive player with many intangibles, making him a lineman worth knowing. [embed]https://twitter.com/colebyoung/status/1483199470044991489?s=20&t=qRqiZ8tLpF0wTCNOh9yr9g[/embed]   [player_tooltip player_id="247221" first="Dedrick" last="Payne"] | Thomas Jefferson | 6’3, 280lbs | DT Payne is a big-body upfront with explosive movements. He is strong and aggressive, especially when initiating contact. He is quick off the ball and finds ways to cause chaos in the backfield. Payne is another sleeper who can fit on both sides of the ball. [embed]https://twitter.com/dedrick_payne/status/1465540255994368003?s=20&t=qRqiZ8tLpF0wTCNOh9yr9g[/embed]   [player_tooltip player_id="209842" first="Ethan" last="Bird"] | Littleton | 6’3”, 195lbs | DE Bird is a highly athletic edge player with excellent acceleration and fantastic overall speed. He has explosive hands, which allow him to quickly get around blockers and into the backfield. Bird is a versatile end who can drop into coverage and play the ball in the air, making him a player to watch this fall. [embed]https://twitter.com/_Ethan_Bird13/status/1486454763210391554?s=20&t=qRqiZ8tLpF0wTCNOh9yr9g[/embed]   [player_tooltip player_id="256288" first="Isaac" last="Engle"] | Highlands Ranch | 6’1”, 195lbs | ILB Engle is a Mike backer with a solid frame and explosive first step. He has good eyes and incredible physicality, which he uses to meet running backs in the hole. Engle is a sure-tackling backer whose recruiting is starting to pick up steam. [embed]https://twitter.com/IsaacEngle1/status/1460826360352436226?s=20&t=qRqiZ8tLpF0wTCNOh9yr9g[/embed]   [player_tooltip player_id="43677" first="Marte" last="Russell"] | Cherry Creek | 6’0”, 200lbs | OLB Russell is an extremely athletic player who brings a ton of versatility to the defensive side of the ball after converting from quarterback to linebacker. He has a big frame, great speed, and aggressive physicality. Russell is coming off of back-to-back state championship-winning seasons, making him a player with elite experience and tremendous upside as a recruit. [embed]https://twitter.com/MarteRussell1/status/1471298655277617152?s=20&t=qRqiZ8tLpF0wTCNOh9yr9g[/embed]   [player_tooltip player_id="310765" first="Calvin" last="Ward"] | Dakota Ridge | 5’11”, 175lbs | CB/DB Ward is a defensive back who flashes a ton of potential as a college prospect. He has good size and great speed that enables him to track down ball carriers in the open field. He is a physical corner who plays the ball in the air and initiates contact when making tackles. Ward is a corner who shows the potential to be plugged in as a safety, giving him an edge as a recruiting target. [embed]https://twitter.com/CalvinWard_/status/1469031136709865474?s=20&t=qRqiZ8tLpF0wTCNOh9yr9g[/embed]   [player_tooltip player_id="289491" first="Nasir" last="Simmons"] | Rangeview | 5’7”, 145lbs | Nickel/DB Simmons is a scrappy player with a high motor who possesses the skills to play throughout the secondary. He shows excellent techniques, including disciplined eyes, great footwork, and fluid hips. Simmons has the physicality needed to play in the box from the nickel position and provide run support at additional pass pressure, making him one of the biggest sleepers in his position group. [embed]https://twitter.com/Nasir_Simmons4/status/1458579046216855552?s=20&t=qRqiZ8tLpF0wTCNOh9yr9g[/embed]   [player_tooltip player_id="62247" first="Trey" last="Stott"] | Valor Christian | 5’11”, 185lbs | FS Stott is a textbook safety with significant potential. He has disciplined eyes, fluid movements, and excellent speed. His ability to smoothly flip his hips allows him to stay over top of routes and hawk the skies. Stott is a fantastic player with a bright future, making him a player worth investing in early. [embed]https://twitter.com/treystott/status/1470908305497214980?s=20&t=qRqiZ8tLpF0wTCNOh9yr9g[/embed]