Vashon-Cardinal Ritter Top Defensive Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinal Ritter Lions defense was tough, physical and swarmed to the ball last Friday night in their win over Vashon at home. Vashon also fought hard and showed some nice athleticism and no quit in them despite taking the L. Here are my thoughts on some of the standouts I witnessed during the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CARDINAL RITTER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marvin Burks | 2023 | 6'2" | S | </strong><br><br>It was easy to why Burks is highly coveted by his final five schools of Oklahoma, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&amp;M and Mizzou with his performance last Friday night. Marvin showed he is the total package high level defensive back with his speed, tackling and coverage abilities, tenacity and leadership in being able to take over a game and lift his team. His assignment was to shutdown fellow big-time D1 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='201724' first='Dierre' last='Hill'] and he did that in both the run and passing game. He flew around the field and delivered punishing hits all night long while also providing blanket coverage in pass defense leading his team in tackles with 8. He did this while also being the Lions leading rusher at running back and also playing on special teams. I've had him among my top 10 prospects in the state overall, but he may be among the top 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":440129,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Cardinal-Ritter-Practice-8-23-22-039.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-440129"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='188603' first='Mekhi' last='Mixon'] | 2025 | 6'0" | LB/S |</strong><br><br>Another Ritter prospect who holds multiple D1 offers, Mixon did a great job helping hold down the middle of the field for his defense. He used his speed and quickness to rack up 6 total tackles on the night and really swarmed to the ball with his teammates. Mehki is a hybrid who also does a really nice job in pass coverage as well as being a physical defender against the run. He also flies to the ball and shows a nice football IQ in reading plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":440130,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Mehki-Mixon.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-440130"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185475' first='Cameron' last='Clayborn'] | 2024 | 6'1" | DT/DE |</strong><br><br>Cam did a great job of using his quickness to get into the backfield and help disrupt and blow up plays. He was part of a defensive line that made it tough for the Wolverines QB to set up and find receivers and helped keep him on the run all night. He has good explosion off the ball and runs really well to get to the QB or chase down plays. He contributed one of the Lions three sacks on the night to go with his four tackles, and he has clearly put in the work with D-line training and it shows. He looks like he will make a name for himself with college coaches as the season progresses if he continues with his play he has shown early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":440131,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Cameron-Clayborn.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-440131"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OTHERS WHO DESERVE MENTIONING</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li><strong>Joseph Reed</strong> - 2024 LB - Active linebacker he played a big role on defense with 7 tackles.</li><li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='188605' first='Tyron' last='Steed']</strong> - 2025 CB - Sophomore corner who caught my attention with his play against the run as well as the pass. Player to watch in the future.</li><li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='104129' first='Dallas' last='Winner-Johnson']</strong> - 2023 OLB - Talented WR/TE looked good in my first time seeing him on defense. </li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VASHON</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='37741' first='Terrell' last='Peete'] Jr. | 2023 | 5'10" | DB |</strong><br><br>Peete is a transfer from Duchesne who was impressive with his motor and seemed to be in on most of the stops against the Lions. He had a nose for the ball and showed his speed and tackling ability in leading his Wolverines with 10 tackles on the night despite possibly playing a little hurt. Peete Jr. has been one of the top defensive backs in the area since he was a freshman with his ability to run with receivers and make plays. He has good ball skills and played very physical.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":440132,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Vashon-at-Cardinal-Ritter-213.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-440132"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='126234' first='Taron' last='Peete'] | 2024 | 5'11" | DB |</strong><br><br><br>The younger brother of Terrell displayed similar skills, and was impressive with his ability to run to the ball and make tackles. I was more familiar with Taron as a QB since he was a freshman at Duchesne, but he showed the skills and physicality to be a solid defensive prospect going forward. He was second on the team behind big brother with 9 tackles in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":440134,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Vashon-at-Cardinal-Ritter-204.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-440134"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt=""/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andre Aaron Jr. | 2024 | 6'2" | S |</strong><br><br>Aaron is a rangy safety prospect who showed good speed and ability to help cover against some tough receivers the Lions had. Made a nice swat to deny a receiver after covering a lot of ground right in front of me. He looks to have the physical tools to play on the next level if he keeps progressing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt=""/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OTHERS WHO DESERVE MENTIONING</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li><strong>Dorian Phillips</strong> -2023 CB - Had a tough job of trying to cover a D1 WR prospect but battled hard and had 5 tackles on the night.</li><li><strong>Amauri Aaron</strong> - 2025 DB - Another promising young defensive back for the Wolverines who had 3 tackles. </li></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->