Jordan’s Notebook: 23′ Breakdowns Pt. 6
We’re back with Jordan’s Notebook Series diving into the Class of 23′ Player Breakdowns. Welcome to part six 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 six 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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Dylan Swanstrom Dylan Swanstrom 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Lemont | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Swanstrom is a Z receiver that provides insight into being able to track the ball and adjust last second to haul in the grab as this is seen throughout his highlights. He also provides glimpses of his foot quicks which he uses to win over the top when he’s given a free release and is then able to secure the deep shot downfield – at times for touchdowns while at others he secures the catch for a big gain on the play. One area of his game that I’m interested to see more out of is his route running as he provides glimpses throughout his highlights of the potential that he has here. Specifically in terms of him getting to the defender’s toes to break the defender off at the top of the route creating separation on the play. This is seen when he’s running a three-step slant as well as running comeback routes along the sideline. Both of which he’s able to create separation from the defender to secure the catch – he can then either get upfield using his foot quicks to get into the endzone or sits in the soft spot in zone coverage along the sideline (between the corner playing deep third and the outside linebacker playing underneath in the flat). Mr. Swanstrom’s foot quicks are further showcased when he runs jet sweeps and in the return game. There’s one clip in his highlights where he’s running a jet sweep and once he secures the handoff he’s able to break not one but two weak grab tackles before getting into the endzone using his foot quicks to outrun the second-level defenders. In the return game, he can find the alley to run and once he does he’s off to the races using his foot quicks to either get into the endzone for the touchdown or set his team up in good starting field position. An area of his game that I was impressed with was his run blocking skill set. Here, he provides glimpses of delivering a strong punch on the defender where he can jolt the defender and stay latched on as he drives his feet through the whistle. You love to see this type of aggressiveness in run blocking, especially from the wideout position blocking on the perimeter. This young man showcases glimpses of what he can do throughout his film and the untapped potential that he has – if he’s able to showcase consistency across his film and have a productive senior season campaign I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw his college interest pick up. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Delmario Taylor Delmario Taylor 6'3" | 190 lbs | DL Glenbard East | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Taylor is a defensive end that works out of a 7 tech that can take backside pursuit on run plays to secure the chasedown tackle as he doesn’t give up on plays. He also provides glimpses of being able to disengage the block to secure the tackle near the line of scrimmage for little gain on the play and has the ability to go flat down the line of scrimmage to secure the tackle in run support for little to no gain on the play. What I believe his strong suit is currently at is his pass rush as he, simply put, disrupts plays time and time again. In the first clip in his highlights, he showcases his bull rush where he’s able to get through into the backfield after driving the offensive lineman back generating pressure on the quarterback. This flushes the quarterback out of the pocket by doing so and this young man continues by chasing down the quarterback from backside pursuit which forces the quarterback to throw the ball as the sideline was approaching. From the pressure generated by this young man, the quarterback ends up underthrowing the ball which is then intercepted and returned for a pick-six. Mr. Taylor provides glimpses of his quick first step off the ball which he uses to get to the turn point before the offensive lineman enabling him to turn the corner, once he does he can close on the quarterback quickly. Throughout his highlights, he generates pressure on the quarterback forcing errant throws as well as creating turnovers. He has room to add to his frame without losing a step and this is only the beginning for this young man. If he’s able to fine-tune his pass rush a tad bit more and improve his active hands in run support you’ll see Mr. Taylor making plays in the backfield on a consistent basis. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Reginald Thomaszz Reginald Thomaszz 5'11" | 200 lbs | DL Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 IL Twitter
Mr. Thomas is a defensive end that works out of a 3 tech and a 7 tech depending on his alignment to the offenses’ formation. He provides glimpses of being quick out of his stance and being able to shoot through the B gap in his pass rush as he uses active hands at the point of attack. Here, he utilizes his swim move to get through and can then close on the quarterback quickly to come away with the sack – other times he generates pressure on the quarterback and can deliver a hit right as the quarterback is getting the ball off. In run support, this young man can make his impact felt. In the first few clips in his highlights, he shoots through the B gap and gets through to blow up the play in the backfield right as the ball carrier secures the handoff. This leaves the ball carrier no room to make a move as this young man can close quickly and secure the wrap-up tackle. When the run is coming at him, he has the ability to take the run block head-on and can disengage to secure the tackle at the line of scrimmage for no gain on the play. Mr. Thomas can also flow to the ball straight down the line of scrimmage when taking pursuit – at times he can cross the offensive lineman’s face coming from the C gap getting into the B gap to get through and meet the ball carrier in the hole for little to no gain on the play. All in all, he has an explosive first step which he uses to blow up plays in both run support and in his pass rush as he has a high motor. An area that I’m interested to see more out of is his pass rush, mixing in different types of rushes to build the tools in his toolbox which will help him set up counter moves if the offensive lineman adjusts to the swim move. His run support skill set is strong as he has a good foundation here, keep an eye on this young man as he could very well see him having a productive senior season campaign being a menace to opposing quarterbacks. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Tristan Villarreal Tristan Villarreal 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Hampshire | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Villarreal is a wingback that can also line up as a slot receiver. When he’s lined up in the slot he runs jet sweeps where he uses his lateral quickness to turn the corner and once he does he can use his foot quicks to break a long one. He showcases the vision to find the running lane quickly between the tackles where he’s able to follow his lead blocks before he gets into open space. At times, this young man does provide glimpses of being able to weave in/out of defenders on the second level. It seems as if he’s second-guessing his read on the run block in front of him which causes him to be brought down for the tackle instead of continuing full speed ahead – If he’s able to hone this skillset you’re going to see this young man break long runs on a more consistent basis. Mr. Villarreal does maintain a low center of gravity as he can break weak grab tackles and runs hard as he’s not afraid of contact. At this current moment, he’s not going to break long runs on a consistent basis – even though he has the skill set to do so – but he can, however, gain four to five yards per play on each carry consistently. There’s one clip in his highlights that stand out. In this clip, he secures the toss and is able to break a weak grab tackle along the sideline. Now, you might think he’d fall out of bounds here but he’s able to maintain his balance to stay up using a toe tap before he dives into the endzone for the touchdown. This young man does also provide glimpses of finding the soft spot in zone coverage in the air attack where he can secure the catch in the middle of the field to keep the chains moving. He can also lay out to secure the grab by fully extending showcasing further glimpses of his hands in the air attack. Overall, this young man has high potential to become a workhorse this upcoming fall season. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Keegan Ottezz Keegan Ottezz 5'7" | 170 lbs | WR Dundee Crown | 2023 IL Twitter
Mr. Otte is a running back that has a quick burst through the line of scrimmage and has foot quicks to him to gain the step advantage on the second-level defenders. If he finds an alley and hits hit he can be off to the races breaking a long run on the play. He does provide glimpses of having the lateral quickness to turn the corner on outside zone as well as being able to find the running lane quickly between the tackles on inside zone runs. Both of which, he uses to break long runs as he weaves in/out of defenders on the second level. This young man’s foot quicks are evident on film, once he secures the ball he’s full steam ahead having a playing speed faster than his opponents. Mr. Otte used jump cuts to make the first defender miss at times and he can keep his feet driving through contact to gain as many yards as he can before he gets brought down. This young man has potential, the biggest thing for him is to work on getting better at breaking the first tackle upon contact. He’s an explosive player once he gets the ball into his hands but he can’t seem to break weak grab tackles on a consistent basis. Once he’s able to do so, his game will elevate to the next level. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Gerald Floydzz Gerald Floydzz 6'2" | LB Plainfield North | 2023 IL Twitter
Mr. Floyd is an inside linebacker working out of a 4-3 defense that can get to his hook/curl drop quickly to undercut the route. In the first clip in his highlights, he gets to his zone coverage drop in the hook/curl where he’s in the right spot to secure the interception. He then returns the ball inside the opponent’s twenty-five-yard line setting his team up in good starting field position. In a few clips after this, he reacts quickly off the tipped pass to secure the interception as well – further providing insight into his coverage skills and quick reaction. When this young man is coming on a blitz, he has the ability to shoot through the A gap and get through to deliver a free shot on the quarterback. In terms of run support, he provides glimpses of being able to trigger downhill quickly in run support where he can then take the run block head-on. Here, he can then jolt the run blocker upright so much so that he puts the blocker into the dirt before he secures the tackle at/near the line of scrimmage. Once Mr. Floyd diagnoses the run, he provides glimpses of being able to meet the ball carrier in the hole where he can then stick the defender for no gain on the play. When the opposing team is running a receiver screen, this young man can disengage the block in open space to flow to the ball on the perimeter and secure the tackle for minimal gain. One area of improvement for Mr. Floyd that would take his game to the next level would be increasing the speed of his read step – at times he flies to the ball while at others he second-guesses himself which results in him making the play near the line of scrimmage as opposed to at the line of scrimmage/in the hole for no gain. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
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