Preseason Predictions: 2022 Breakout Players, Defense, Part II

Whether they blow up on the trail or the stat sheet, numerous prospects every year see their stock improve massively. For the 2023 class, it is now or never. These following prospects have been waiting in the shadows for a few seasons, and they are now ready to prove that they have what it takes to produce at a high level. Here are a few prospects from across the state that I believe will break out in a big way. <b>Lota Ugokwe</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> - 2024 - EDGE - Walton</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Ugokwe may have led Walton in sacks last season, but I believe he has the chance to be even better in 2022. At 6’2 and around 215 pounds, Ugokwe might not be built like your prototypical edge player, but he has the skillset to make up for it. Ugokwe is incredibly light on his feet and is a slippery prospect that is hard to stay in front of. He also has long arms and a strong upper body which allows him to shed off blockers with ease. Most impressively, Ugokwe has a great motor, and can be seen on film making plenty of hustle plays. With all of these qualities, Ugokwe already has the ability to be an impact player at the next level. As he continues to fill out and maximize his frame, he should see his recruitment pick up in a hurry, especially if he has a season like he did in 2021.</span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sophomore Year Highlights Led a 7A semifinal team in sacks <a href="https://t.co/ntRlkQFNJM">https://t.co/ntRlkQFNJM</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Mansell247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mansell247</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadSimmons_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChadSimmons_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WaltonRecruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WaltonRecruits</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RecruitGeorgia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RecruitGeorgia</a></p> — Lota Ugokwe (@LotaUgokwe) <a href="https://twitter.com/LotaUgokwe/status/1476228946433912842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34084" first="Brandon" last="Brown"]</strong> - 2023 - DB - Collins Hill [player_tooltip player_id="34084" first="Brandon" last="Brown"] was someone I highlighted a few months ago as a guy that could break out in a huge way this fall, and I am even more confident in that prediction now. Last season, Brown played sparingly on varsity and just cracked the surface of what he is capable of. With guys in the Collins Hill secondary like Travis Hunter moving on, it is a golden opportunity for Brown to step in and have a huge senior season. When comparing his film this spring and summer to last year, I see a faster, bigger, and overall better player. It was clear from my first time watching Brown that he had a lot of potential, and it looks like he is starting to reach it. Brown is extremely versatile and can play practically every position in the defensive backfield. Personally, I think his elite combination of size and ball skills paired with a 6’0 frame makes him a perfect candidate to line up on the outside. However, he also uses his speed and physicality to break on the ball quickly from the safety spot. At the end of the day, Brown is a playmaker. Given the opportunity this year, he should be able to show what he is capable of at the highest level. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Great experience Siete Fuerte 7on7 tournament with 3 picks and team finished 3-1 <a href="https://twitter.com/SwickONE8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SwickONE8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachEarl_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachEarl_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GregoryLenny?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregoryLenny</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Q_Jones2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Q_Jones2</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_Coach_Williams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_Coach_Williams</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Frfountain2002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Frfountain2002</a> <a href="https://t.co/6bcjMbRRWP">pic.twitter.com/6bcjMbRRWP</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="34084" first="Brandon" last="Brown"] (@Bsquare21) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bsquare21/status/1366118885007757315?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Kyle Elphick</strong> - 2023 - ILB - Fellowship Christian Elphick was yet another prospect that I deemed as underrated a couple of months ago. Since then, he has added an offer from Stetson and is looking to carry over some momentum into his senior season. Elphick is an extremely versatile and productive player on both sides of the ball, but I am projecting him at ILB. At 6’2 215, he has the size that few LBs at the next level have, and he has room to get even bigger. He is incredibly fundamentally sound and is always in the right place at the right time. Where Elphick really stands out is his pass coverage. He can read the QBs eyes like a safety and breaks to the ball quickly. With his size and ability to fly to the ball, he is someone that should stuff the stat sheet at the next level. With another big season in 2022, he could continue to put himself on the map. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Extremely blessed to say that I have received my first offer from Stetson University!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/StetsonFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StetsonFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jj5151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jj5151</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJT1515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJT1515</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PaladinsFCS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PaladinsFCS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FCS_Recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCS_Recruiting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AthleteFactory1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AthleteFactory1</a> <a href="https://t.co/IExRdEOVs9">pic.twitter.com/IExRdEOVs9</a></p> — Kyle Elphick (@KyleElphick) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleElphick/status/1522353728099074056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="334929" first="Chase" last="Morrison"]</strong> - 2024 - DT - Roswell Morrison is coming off a sophomore season where he finished with 50 tackles and 11 TFLs. So in a way, he has already broken out. Still, I believe his best football is in front of him. Already at 6’4 240 pounds, he has the size that overwhelms offensive linemen, and he has room to add more weight. He is a guy that WILL demand double teams at the next level if he can continue growing. On film, he is explosive off the line and is able to fight through blockers using his sheer size and strength to make plays. He also has a nice set of pass-rushing moves and possesses the unique ability to rush the passer from multiple spots on the defensive front. Those tools paired with his high motor make for a very intriguing prospect. With an offer from Wake Forest under his belt, I expect Morrison to develop into a PO5 defensive lineman over the next two seasons. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">WOW!!! With the help of my coaches and teammates, I am grateful to receive my first D1 offer from the University of Wake Forest! <a href="https://twitter.com/caprewett?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@caprewett</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachHatter67?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachHatter67</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/roswellrecruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@roswellrecruits</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Mhoward38?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mhoward38</a> <a href="https://t.co/aLDgebXTAS">pic.twitter.com/aLDgebXTAS</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="334929" first="Chase" last="Morrison"] (@chasefm46) <a href="https://twitter.com/chasefm46/status/1535441793394921475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>