5 Defensive Recruits Dominating Their Competition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're taking a deep dive into some defensive who have had a great season to this point and have untapped potential that schools will love.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Wrigley Franklin - Linton Stockton - DL/LB - 6'2" 225lbs - 2023</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Franklin is a versatile defender who has shown the ability to put his hand in the ground and line up at LB. He's been used to come off the edge and rush the passer and to line up and defend the slot WR. He's a much better athlete than given credit for which allows him to play a bit looser than some other LBs. He's got a decent first sudden step which allows him to shake off blockers from time to time and make the play behind them. Franklin can also tackle in the open field which has saved that defense a time or two. He's decent in the running game and understands how to get off blocks to make tackles. As he develops physically, he could easily become pound for pound one of the strongest guys on his team. There has been a few times they put him on the O-Line and he blew the defender off the ball and buried them. He's an angry player who has that high motor you want which is why I'm curious how good he could be on the OL just based on the snip its we've got. Franklin has a lot of good things about him and what he can do on the field, especially down the road and is worth a good look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='222945' first='Michael' last='Williams'] - Brownsburg - DB - 6'0" 185lbs - 2023</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is an elite athlete who patrols the backend of the defense for Brownsburg and makes play after play. His range is incredible. Williams is able to cover sideline to sideline without an issue and has fantastic closing speed. He's played Safety, Corner, and has experience in the box coming on a blitz. He's someone who can line up in the slot as well as out wide as well. Match up isn't an issue for him because of his speed and vertical. Williams is able to go up and make some highlight reel plays just with his ability to jump. He's going to take his shot at the ball when it comes his way. If he doesn't get it, he's been able to bat them down in the past. He's not afraid to come downhill out of the Safety position and play the run game and make a physical tackle. There's been a few times where he could have destroyed a receiver over the middle, but he pulled up and made the smart play. While being explosive, he'll keep his head on his shoulders which is what you want to see. With his closing speed and reaction speed, windows QBs think they have close in a heartbeat. Williams is someone who truly could play any DB spot defensively down the road at next level with the right development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Gabe Bragg - Cathedral - OLB/DB - 5'10" 180lbs - 2023</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bragg is fun to watch because of how much Cathedral asks him to do. He'll play Corner and LB on the same drive and not miss a beat. He's become the chess piece for the defense that let's them be flexible. He's athletic enough to win out wide, yet physical and strong enough to come play in the box and be a physical presence. He's not going to get beat deep and understand where the sticks are. In zone, he's smart and stays in his area. He stays fluid and can pass off receivers as well. Bragg can see things developing and get there to make the play. He's able to get off blocks and make tough tackles as well. As he develops physically at the next level, he feels like someone who can and will get incredibly strong and thrive in the box. He's rangy, versatile, yet light enough on his feet to be out wide like a DB. He's got a good sense of things on the field and his versatility will only help him as he gets coached up. There's a lot to like with Bragg and where he is now and where he can be down the road. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='293668' first='Mj' last='Campbell'] - Decatur Central - DL - 6'0" 240lb - 2024</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Campbell continues to produce and play at a high level. Week after week, year after year. He's an explosive athlete who is off the ball quick. So far this year, he's been better in almost every phase of the game. In the running game, he's shedding more blocks and making more tackles in the box. He's coming around the edge a bit quicker and getting home more often. He's a relentless defender who can run down the ball carrier from behind with his raw speed. He's not the fastest player, but he's consistent and explosive. Campbell can and will impact your game plan if you don't plan around him. He tends to live in the backfield and that's quite the problem for offenses. This year, he's been able to consistently string out plays and make them go horizontal until reinforcements arrive or he runs them out of bounds. Campbell is having his best year yet and continues to get better week after week. With Campbell, he's got another year of development left but should be on every radar because he'll be a play-maker when the time comes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Alex Rose - Terre Haute South Vigo - LB/RB - 5'11" 215lbs - 2023</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rose is an incredibly gritty player who plays in the box and has no issue being the guy to make the glory-less plays. He's going to stick his head into the trenches and do the dirty work. He's good in the run game and filling gaps and forcing guys back inside. He won't make critical mistakes and is where he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be there. He's athletic enough to run sideline to sideline and stretch out plays. He likes to keep everything in front of him and then come flying down to make the play. Rose has shown that he can be patient and not get pressed when the offense is avoiding him. Good players bother offenses and that's what Rose can do. He does also play some RB and can be hard to bring down. He's a hard-nose runner and will run through arm tackles and bounce off other defenders. He's got a decent frame that could continue to develop as he gets into a college lifting program. Rose is the type of guy who helps college programs with how he works and wants to improve. He'll make an impact wherever he ends up and I'm excited to see where because he's just scratching the surface of what he can be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->