Indiana Week 1 Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're on the defensive side of the ball today! Same thing as the offensive piece from yesterday, tag me in your performances so I can see. I may not always get to reply, but always go through and check them out! The best way to be discovered is to ball then bug me! I'm here to help and am doing the best I can!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1294906' first='Jaydon' last='Berkley'] - Charlestown - SB/CB - 5'7" 145lbs - 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berkley is a freak athlete who has a knack for going up and just taking the ball. He's got an elite vertical that allows him to play on the outside, even while currently being shorter than the usual varsity X. He's got the ability to run with pretty much everyone and doesn't come across as someone who lives in the past of a bad play. He's got a confidence and swagger to his game that you need to play DB. He's someone who could easily blow up by the time he graduates. Friday, he had 2 interceptions. Both of them were incredible plays, but the one was a deep ball in the endzone where he outjumped a WR who had a few inches on him. He then turned around and got a nice return out of it. He also had a few PBUs and some solo tackles. He was all over the field on Friday night and looks really good. Charlestown's got themselves a stud at DB for the next few years and they have to be excited. Week 1, we find out who can ball and Berkley has arrived.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='351864' first='Hunter' last='Bennett'] - Mooresville - DE - 6'4" 200lbs - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennett is someone I've gotten to know pretty well because of camps this summer. He's a hard worker, loves football, and has the size to match. He stands out when he walks into a room with his size and his ability on the field matches. Friday was no different but a typical day's work for him. He finished the night with 7 solo tackles, 2 blocked kicks, a few TFLs, and a sack. He's got good length and is able to stand his own in the trenches. He's good in the run game fits, knows when he's able to make a play and is only getting better. The confidence is the most noticeable thing and when he gets in a groove he can really get going and disrupt the game. He's able to bend around the edge and has the length to reach the QB from a good distance. Bennett is as reliable as you want on the defensive line while having the ability to make flashy plays and change the game. I'm really excited to watch Bennett and see his development throughout the rest of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='293668' first='Mj' last='Campbell'] - Decatur Central - DE/FB - 6'0" 225lbs - 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Campbell is one of the better pass rushers in the state, in my opinion. He's not the tallest or longest DE, but that doesn't impact him at all. He's a great athlete who shoots off the ball and is incredibly strong. He's able to bend around the corner, fill gaps in the running game, and drop back into coverage when asked to. While not recommended solely because I think you want him rushing the passer, he can be as versatile as you need. He's a high-motor player who gets better as the lights get brighter. He's got a knack for getting his hand on the ball and forcing it to end up on the ground. He's been double-teamed at some point in every game for a while now and week1 was no different. However, this time he was beating the double team and making plays. He worked as hard as anyone this summer and it's paying off right away. I think by the time the season ends, he's going to mentioned with the best of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='320277' first='Brady' last='Ballart'] - South Dearborn - MLB/TE - 6'2" 195lbs - 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballart finally got his chance to play live football at the varsity level and did not disappoint. For a while now, he's looked ready and been preparing as such. The freshman looks to be as good as previously advertised. Only week 1 and a ton of ball left to be played, but there's good reason to be excited after Friday. He's a decent athlete with a nice frame and incredible length, especially for his age at LB. He's able to cover sideline to sideline and play the run game properly as well. He understands run fits and when to be aggressive. Maybe early in the 1st QTR, there was some hesitation, but once he got a good hit in and was comfortable with the speed of the game, he was just fine. He started flying around the backend of that defense and ended the night with 7 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles, and 1 forced safety. An incredible welcoming to the varsity level in my opinion. The future is as bright as he wants it to be and if week 1 is any indication, South Dearborn's defense is in good hands long-term.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='355180' first='Samirion' last='Ford'] - Lawrence North - SS/FS - 6'0" 190lbs - 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ford is one of the more solidified DBs in the state in my opinion. He's able to play in the box, out wide as a CB, or deep controlling traffic in front of him. He's got incredible range and is a fantastic athlete. In week 1 he came right out like he never missed a beat. He was able to break up a few passes and make a few nice tackles in the running game, but more importantly, allowed 0 receptions in man coverage. He was asked to lock up in man coverage more often than normal on Friday and stood tall. He frustrated his opposing receiver and was all over them. So much so, that you could see the frustration grow on the receiver to the point they moved him to the other side of the field. Almost humourous, but the point remained. Ford isn't a DB you want to pick fights with. He can hit hard and has the ability to track down the ball and make some incredible picks. His offseason work is paying off big time already and the year has just begun.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->