Northern California Small School Sleepers Part. II

Photo: Kai Brazil Hudl

Paul Gregorian July 14, 2022 @ 11:04 PM

WR Brody Johnson, San Luis Obispo HS Johnson is a big and physical presence on both sides of the ball for the Tigers. During the 2021 season, he was a two-way star on the outside and has a natural feel for the game and strong instincts when making plays on the ball and quickly diagnosing plays. He has a big catch radius downfield and can track the ball well while a very strong tackler in space and brings a nice thump at contact. Explosive with the ball in his hands, he can make people miss in the open field and shows a nice short area burst near the LOS.   LB Nathan Bishop, Lodi HS Bishop is one of the top returning players from Lodi and is a physical presence in the middle of a tough defense. He is a very active in the box player with good hit power through his tackles and always plays with a high motor and toughness. Bishop is also a downhill plug but can also scrape over the top and make tackles outside the box taking good angles and quickly diagnosing plays. Seemingly always around the ball, he is in line for a huge 2022 campaign.   QB [player_tooltip player_id="261784" first="Nicky" last="Johnson"], Morro Bay HS Johnson is one of the top returning quarterbacks across the CCS and is in line for a huge Senior season. He is very athletic in the pocket, throws a nice deep ball and is a very dangerous runner when things breakdown. With a quick release, he can fit the ball into tight windows and shows nice touch downfield when throwing over the head of defenders down the sideline. While running, he can throw on the run and has a nice initial burst while able to breakaway in the open field and make defenders miss in space with deceptive speed and short area quickness in one on one situations. It should not be long until he collects FCS and D-II/III interest.   RB/LB Kai Brazil, Orestimba HS Brazil is one of the top small school middle linebackers across the Central Valley and put together a very nice 2021 campaign. A true inside linebacker, he is big and physical at the POA while quickly shooting the gap and taking good angles in the open field and bringing a nice thump upon contact. Playing with a low pad level, he can shock blockers and get off blocks quickly while very active near the LOS with good COD and closing speed. He is a no brainer D-III+ kid that can make an impact at the college level from the Mike backer position.