Jordan’s Notebook: 23′ Breakdowns Pt. 4
We’re back with Jordan’s Notebook Series diving into the Class of 23′ Player Breakdowns. Welcome to part four of this multiple-part series as we cover a range of positions in each. The goal is simple: covering as many student athletes…
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Continue ReadingWe’re back with Jordan’s Notebook Series diving into the Class of 23′ Player Breakdowns. Welcome to part four of this multiple-part series as we cover a range of positions in each. The goal is simple: covering as many student athletes as possible, regardless of college projection, to be a resource in getting their name out there further. If you’re wondering how to get on our radar, it’s simple: Fill out our FREE Prospect Index
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Tyson Wilkerson
Tyson
Wilkerson
6'2" | 185 lbs | DB
Homewood-Flossmoor | 2023
State
IL
Twitter
Mr. Wilkerson is a Safety that provides insight into delivering a “pop” on the ball carrier both in pass defense and in run support. In one clip in his highlights, he forced a pass breakup by delivering a hit upon the receiver’s progression of securing the catch. So much so, his hit forces the ball to come out but the play was ruled an incomplete pass. His coverage skills are one to keep an eye on as he provides glimpses of the potential that he has both in man coverage and in zone coverage. In the first clip in his highlights, he’s in zone coverage covering the slot receiver. At the snap of the ball he takes his read step and see’s that it’s a receiver screen. Upon seeing this, this young man plants his foot and triggers downhill closing quickly as he covers five yards in a few steps to deliver a “pop” on the receiver. This results in a loss on the play as he’s able to secure the tackle behind the line of scrimmage. In another clip in his highlights, he’s in man coverage over the slot receiver and the offense tries to run a rub route in the redzone. This young man is able to get through the rub route not allowing himself to get picket and is then able to contest the fade route. He does so by going up for the 50/50 ball and gets his hand in the receiver’s basket forcing a pass breakup. His footwork is one to keep an eye on as well. He has quick feet where he can flip his hips to turn and run with the defender downfield as well as trigger downhill in run support. The transition he makes from his backpedal into a sprint is one to keep an eye on as his transition is quick and it allows him to be in a position to make a play on the ball. Switching gears to run support, when the run is coming at him he showcases glimpses of being able to disengage the block to secure the tackle in open space. When the run is going away from him, he can get flat down the line of scrimmage when taking backside pursuit to secure the tackle from behind. All in all, he has room to add to his frame and has the potential to become a hot name in the recruiting landscape after his Senior Season Campaign. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Zach Michaels
Zach
Michaels
6'2" | 240 lbs | OL
Plainfield North | 2023
State
IL
Twitter
Mr. Michaels is an Offensive Guard that provides glimpses of being able to drive the defender down the line of scrimmage washing the defensive lineman down on a play when he works in-line. One clip in his highlights really stands out when he’s working in-line. In this clip in his highlights, he drive blocks the head up defender five yards downfield by keeping his feet driving and finishes the play by putting the defender into the dirt. The play wasn’t even going his way which provides further insight into his aggressive playstyle which you love to see out of an offensive lineman. His aggressiveness is also seen when he’s pulling picking up defenders shooting the gap as well as getting to second-level blocks. In the first clip in his highlights, he’s quick out of his stance to pull where he then delivers a heavy hit on the blitzing linebacker that got through and upon delivering that heavy hit he’s able to throw the defender into the dirt. This further showcases his aggressiveness. In another clip in his highlights, he chips the defensive tackle before working up to the second level to pick up the inside linebacker. This young man is able to get one of his hands inside and is then able to drive the defender out of the play. This creates a running lane for the ball carrier as the ball carrier runs tight off this block and breaks a long run as a result. When this young man is pulling he provides an insight into having the vision to pick up the blitzing defender that shoots the gap as seen in one of the clips mentioned above. Switching gears to pass protection, he provides glimpses of being able to pick up the blitz. In one clip in his highlights, he has to decide between picking up the linebacker walked up in the A gap or the defensive tackle in the B gap where when you look at it you have an easy choice of picking up the linebacker. That’s not the case in this clip as the defense runs a stunt so this young man slides to take away the inside rush where he’s able to latch onto the defensive tackle that quickly shoots into the A gap. Once this happens, this young man is able to drive the defender down the line of scrimmage washing the pass rusher down while the linebacker takes the B gap and is picked up by the halfback. This young man also provides an insight into having a strong punch both when he’s run blocking and in pass protection where he has the ability to jolt the defender upright, especially when he’s pulling. What I like about his game the most is how he plats through the whistle where he attacks until that whistle is blown. Even if the play is going away from him. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Kaiden Miller
Kaiden
Miller
6'3" | 195 lbs | WR
Grayslake Central | 2023
State
IL
Twitter
Mr. Miller is a wingback that can also line up as either a slot or outside receiver. In the first clip in his highlights, he secures the kick return and gets vertical running in a straight line as he uses his foot quicks to outrun defenders as he gets into the endzone for a touchdown. In the second clip in his highlights, he runs a variation of counter as a wingback where he follows his lead blockers through the hole and once he gets into open space he ends up jumping over a low tackle. He then provides further insight into his foot quicks as he gets vertical along the sideline before being pushed out of bounds. His foot quicks are shown both on inside zone, counter, jet sweeps, and in the return game. In each, he provides insight into being able to gain a step on the second-level defenders as well as outrun pursuit angles to break a long run for a touchdown. When he does run jet sweeps he stays tight off the offensive tackle’s block before turning upfield to break a long run. If the running lane is clogged up he can bounce the play outside to turn the corner along the sideline and can break a long run for a touchdown when doing so. He’s also a deadly return man that can break them for touchdowns as well as set his team up in a good starting field position. In the air attack, he provides insight into being able to track the ball on deep shots downfield where he can look the ball in and go up for 50/50 balls. By doing so, he’s able to attack the ball at the highest point to secure the contested catch. There’s one instance in his highlights in the redzone where he’s able to secure the catch for a touchdown as well as in another clip secure the catch in double coverage along the sideline. Once he secures the catch he provides insight into getting upfield using his foot quicks to gain a step on the second-level defenders where he can then either break a long run for a big gain or get into the endzone for a touchdown. This young man mainly runs jet sweeps and counter where he can break long runs off these plays. When he’s split out wide he possesses a threat to play above the rim and I’m curious to see how he produces in the air attack once the fall season comes because I believe he can be utilized more in this offensive attack. He has the skillset to make his mark in the air attack and I can’t wait to see how he produces all around. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Colin Moore Colin Moore 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Wheaton Warrenville South | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Moore is a Safety that provides glimpses of being able to undercut routes when in coverage to either come away with the interception or force pass breakups. In the first clip in his highlights, he’s in zone coverage in a two high look where he’s able to transition smoothly out of his backpedal into his break on the defender running a corner route. This young man is then able to undercut the route to secure the interception along the sideline. Another clip that stands out is when he’s in a single high look covering the deep third of the field. Here, he picks up the seam route by the slot receiver and is able to get his head around as the receiver breaks his route inwards to put himself in a position to go up for the 50/50 ball. He’s then able to secure the interception as the receiver has to play through this young man to try to secure the contested catch (the receiver doesn’t). Once the interception is secured he then reveres field to gain extra yards on the play. Switching gears to run support, this young man provides glimpses of being able to play the alley. Once he diagnoses the run he can trigger downhill quickly coming down from a single high look where he’s able to meet the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage to secure the tackle at times. He also provides glimpses of being able to cover sideline to sideline in run support tapping into his range. There’s one clip in his highlights that stands out in this regard. In this clip, he comes from the opposite side of the field to secure the tackle on the sideline for minimal gain as he closes quickly on the ball carrier. He also provides glimpses of being able to secure tackles in open space as well. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Andrew Moore Andrew Moore 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Wheaton-Warrenville South | 2023 IL Twitter
Mr. Moore is a defensive lineman that can work as a 7 tech as well as a 3 tech – both of which he can make his impact felt. On passing downs, he provides glimpses of being quick out of his stance to gain a step on the offensive lineman to get through the line of scrimmage into the backfield to generate pressure on the quarterback. Once he does he’s then able to get his hands up where he can deflect the pass as the quarterback tries to get the ball off because this young man is in his face and closing quickly. Throughout his highlights, he provides insight into his quick first step (both as a 7 tech and 3 tech in his pass rush) where the offensive lineman isn’t set to block as this young man is coming at them. Upon doing so, this young man generates pressure on the quarterback disrupting the play. One thing I will add here is that if he’s able to hone his pass rush skill set, in my eyes, his recruiting stock is going to skyrocket tremendously. He can get pressure on the quarterback with ease at times, the next step is closing a tad bit faster to secure the sack. If he’s able to hone that craft this offseason he could very well turn into one of the top balanced defensive linemen in the state. His run support skill set is also one to keep an eye on as he provides insight into playing with leverage when he takes on blocks. In the first clip in his highlights, he gets out of his stance to hold down C gap control before he closes on the ball carrier as the ball carrier tries to get into the B gap. This young man is able to secure the tackle at the line of scrimmage for no gain on the play. When the run is coming at him and he’s working out of a 3 tech, he’s able to engage the offensive guard before he long arms and disengages the run blocker to secure the tackle at the line of scrimmage for no gain on the play. When the run is going away from him, he can work down the line of scrimmage to secure the tackle as well. Keep an eye on this young man. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Malik Nave
Malik
Nave
5'10" | 170 lbs | RB
Althoff Catholic | 2023
State
IL
Twitter
Mr. Nave is a running back that can stay tight to the offensive tackle’s block before turning upfield when he’s running outside zone. He’s not afraid to lower his shoulder to play through contact and showcases his ability to gain four to five yards per carry consistently in his highlights. Once he gets through the line of scrimmage he can use his foot quicks to gain a step on the second-level defenders and at times can break a long run for a touchdown. This young man keeps his feet driving breaking weak grab tackles in the process to gain extra yards on the play. He provides insight into having the vision to find the running lanes quickly between the tackles and when he goes through a tight hole he can get skinny to get through. Once he clears the line of scrimmage he gets straight N/S. If the running lane is clogged up, he can bounce the play outside and in a few instances is able to turn the corner to break a long run. One trait that’s deadly is his ability to use quick cuts as he’s reading his blocks. Once he quick cuts off the run block he has the ability to break a long run after he gains a step on the second-level defenders. I’m very interested to see how he continues to develop this trait and hone his craft during this offseason. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Evan Noelle Evan Noelle 6'4" | 180 lbs | QB Marion | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Noelle is a quarterback that provides insight into putting the ball into a spot where his receiver can go get the ball both when he’s working in platform and when he’s working on the move. He can step through his throws when the pocket is clean and he’s set. He can also add easy velocity across level two and level three throws. One of his most impressive traits is the insight he showcases into going through his progressions on each play before letting it rip even as defenders are in his face and the pocket is collapsing. His ability to buy second chances and make a play with his mobility are one to keep an eye on as well. In the first clip in his highlights, he’s able to stand strong in the pocket getting the ball off right as a defender is in his face coming to deliver a hard hit. This young man gets the level three ball off on the deep shot downfield putting the ball only where his receiver can get it (puts it right on the receiver’s outside shoulder along the sideline). When rushing defenders create pressure, this young man is able to escape the pocket and is able to keep his eyes downfield upon doing so. He’s then able to find his receiver downfield to keep the chains moving throughout his highlights. When he runs the option, he’s not afraid to lower his shoulder to play through contact. In one clip in his highlights, he’s in the redzone and is able to get into the endzone for a touchdown. He does so by jolting the defender upright on the initial contact and keeps his feet driving until he gets in for six. If nobody is open downfield he can also pull the ball down to scramble as a last resort. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Jaden Payne
Jaden
Payne
5'10" | 160 lbs | DB
Zion Benton Twnshp | 2023
IL
Twitter
Mr. Payne is a receiver that provides glimpses of his elusiveness throughout his highlights where he can make the first defender miss at times with his quick cuts. He also provides glimpses of being able to secure the catch in traffic with the defender all over him. This is seen mainly when he’s running slants across the middle of the field. One trait to keep an eye on is his ability to snap his route off at the top of the route creating separation from the defender. In his highlights, there’s one clip where he runs a double move and is able to break his route off as if he’s running a curl route before spinning to the sideline leaving the cornerback in the dust. He then gets vertical to secure the deep shot downfield for the touchdown. This young man also has the potential to become a deadly return man. In the second clip in his highlights, he gets vertical once he secures the kickoff staying true N/S as he uses his foot quicks to outrun pursuit angles as he gets into the endzone for the touchdown. If he doesn’t get into the endzone he poses the threat of setting his team up in a good starting field position. What I’m interested to see out of this young man this upcoming season is his ability to take an underneath route/screen route and take it the distance for six – if he can be consistent in doing so as he has provides glimpses of his foot quicks and explosiveness throughout his highlights. There’s one clip that stands out the most in terms of his run blocking. In this clip in his highlights, the ball carrier breaks through the line of scrimmage and starts taking the trajectory towards the sideline. This young man comes from the receiver position to deliver a heavy blow on the defender in pursuit allowing the ball carrier to turn the corner and break a long run for the touchdown. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Jackson Stratton Jackson Stratton 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Quincy Notre Dame | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Stratton has been moving around on both sides of the ball during his Junior Season working as a quarterback, receiver, and defensive back. In the second clip in his highlights, he runs a QB design run where he gets through the line of scrimmage as he continues to break weak grab tackles one after another. He then keeps his feet driving and finds the cutback lane in open space. This young man keeps fighting for extra yards before being brought down after he gains the first down on the play. His foot quicks are one to keep an eye on as he can outrun second-level defenders to break a long run at times – in one play he’s able to get along the sideline and breaks a thirty yards run for the touchdown. This young man also spent some time as a receiver. His attributes/skillset transition well into this position as he has the ability to win over the top with his foot quicks as well as go up for 50/50 balls. Switching gears to defense we’re headed into the first clip in his highlights where he’s in a two-high look. This young man reads the quarterback’s eyes as he drifts towards the opposite side of the field before undercutting the route and high pointing the ball for the interception. There’s also another clip in his highlights where he’s lined up in the box. He plays the run first and once the ball is snapped he recognizes it’s a pass play. He’s then able to transition out of his read step quickly getting to the hook/curl zone. By doing so, he ends up undercutting the route coming across the middle of the field that seemed open but since this young man transitioned quickly to his zone drop he’s able to come away with the interception. He also provides glimpses of being able to work through blocks in open space to secure the tackle on the perimeter for no gain. There’s a clip in his highlights where the offense runs a receiver screen and this young man is covering the slot receiver. He’s able to fight through multiple blocks before delivering a hit on the receiver as the receiver is trying to secure the catch. There’s another clip in his highlights where he’s covering the slot receiver and comes on a blitz attacking the edge. He times his blitz well and is able to close on the quarterback quickly at the snap as he goes untouched to secure the sack. He provides glimpses of being able to shoot the gap when he’s in the box and walked up on the line of scrimmage in run support. This young man also has the ability to penetrate the backfield to disrupt plays – in one play he ends up getting through the B gap to blow up the play in the backfield securing the tackle for loss. Currently holds an Offer from Quincy University. Highlights
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