Week One Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I looked at some of Ohio's top performers from an exciting week one. If you have any names that you think should be featured in next week's edition, please DM them to @hsfbscout. With that being said, here's who stood out!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>LB: Connor Corbett, 5'7" 165, Heath, SO</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Connor finished Friday with a whopping 20 total tackles in 28-27 win over Liberty Union. Corbett's speed, acceleration, and high motor were on full display under the lights. He may be undersized at the linebacker position, but all this kid does is produce. It's crazy to me that he still has three more years of varsity football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DB: Levis Ellis, 5'10" 190, Elyria Catholic, JR</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Levi was a standout on both sides of the football on Friday and very well could have made our offensive list as well. In Friday's 14-6 win over Elyria, he finished with 17 total tackles and 3 TFLs. Ellis shows a nice combination of burst, balance, and body control. He's got a quick trigger and reads open linemen well for his run pass key. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='189506' first='Jaden' last='Yates'], 6'1" 210, Lincoln</em></strong>, <strong><em>SR</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yates went off in a 9-7 win over Mason as he finished with 13 total tackles, 5 TFLs, and 2 sacks. The recent Marshall commit showed off a downhill playing style, a slippery upper-half at the second level, and a noticeable physicality at the point of attack. This young man is just relentless when it comes to getting to the ball, and it shows on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DB: Malcolm Lane, 5'8" 140, Clearview, JR</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lane had a stat line that some defensive backs may not get an entire season. He finished Friday's 19-0 win over Parma with eight total tackles and count them THREE interceptions. On film, he plays loose, comes out of his breaks with his eyes squared on the receiver in man coverage, and won't look back until he's in phase. Malcolm eats up intermediate routes and showed impressive anticipation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DE: [player_tooltip player_id='284432' first='Kamari' last='Burns'], 6'5" 250, Lincoln, SR</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Golden Lion standout from last Friday's defensive battle with Mason. The Cincinnati Bearcat commit finished with 3 total tackles and 2 sacks. His low pad level, twitch, and heavy hands still seem to be giving opponents serious issues off the snap. Burns looks like he picked up right where he left off last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DB: Conner Toomey, 5'10" 160, Heath, JR</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another two-way star who finished with 130 yards receiving yards and one touchdown on the offensive end. However, I thought he was at his best on the defensive side, finishing with two interceptions in a nail-biting 28-27 win over Liberty Union. On film, Toomey is quite instinctive, shows compact footwork, and easily accelerates out of his breaks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>LB: Nick Cuva, 6' 185, Tallmadge, SR</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cuva wrapped up Friday's game against Brecksville-Broadview with eight total tackles, one interception, and one pass defended in a 42-7 win. He displayed great spacial awareness dropping into his zone, disciplined eyes not taking the bait, and delivered multiple punishing blows on opposing ball carriers. I think he could play safety at the next level as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->