Sleeper Squad: 2023 Defensive Prospects
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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…
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Continue ReadingBuilding 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.
Cole Young Cole Young 6'1" | 265 lbs | OL Rampart | 2023 CO | 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.
Here’s my junior year highlight reel!
Cole Young 2023 OL/DL
Check out my highlight – https://t.co/DuK3Ok4iLz
— Cole (@colebyoung) January 17, 2022
Dedrick Payne Dedrick Payne DL Thomas Jefferson | 2023 State CO | 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.
Check out my highlight – https://t.co/vyeoxolwpO
— Dedrick Payne (@dedrick_payne) November 30, 2021
Ethan Bird Ethan Bird 6'3" | 190 lbs | DL Littleton | 2023 State CO | 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.
Check out my junior season highlights👀👀
|6’3|195|DE/TE|
43 TKLs
31 SOLO
10 SCKs
5 TFLs
1 INT
1 INTTD. https://t.co/5SvgZcWvBm— Ethan Bird (@_Ethan_Bird13) January 26, 2022
Isaac Engle Isaac Engle 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Highlands Ranch | 2023 State CO | 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.
Junior Season Highlights, on @Hudl at – https://t.co/HjR9HS3qdW
— Isaac Engle (@IsaacEngle1) November 17, 2021
Marte Russell Marte Russell 6'0" | 185 lbs | LB Cherry Creek | 2023 State CO | 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.
Full Junior Season Hightlights! @CCNextLevelFB – https://t.co/8CxPXzuNzk
— MARTE RUSSELL (@MarteRussell1) December 16, 2021
Calvin Ward Calvin Ward 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Dakota Ridge | 2023 State CO | 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.
Check out my Junior Year Highlight Tape on @Hudl https://t.co/6w2qYhjCbH #hudl @CoachWristen @the_BBoyd @JaySawvel @WyoFBRecruiting @CoachKochevar @coachscottyd @CoachHeaterCSU @Trich4rds @the_BBoyd @tauer34
— Calvin Ward (@CalvinWard_) December 9, 2021
Nasir Simmons Nasir Simmons 5'7" | 145 lbs | DB Rangeview Highschool | 2023 State CO | 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.
https://t.co/xDnvpTYHgZ Nickel back/corner. 5’7 145
43 total tackles (20 solo)
5 pass break ups 1 forced fumble @CoachM_Justin @CoachKochevar @NMHUCoachKirk @coachjatwell @CoachGallasUNK @Zach_Watkins @CoachPotash— Nasir Simmons (@Nasir_Simmons3) November 10, 2021
Trey Stott Trey Stott 5'11" | 195 lbs | DB Valor Christian | 2023 State CO | 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.
Check out my 2021 season highlights @donnieyantis @GoValorFootball https://t.co/VpScNbhSlY
— Trey Stott (@treystott) December 15, 2021