Week 11 – Defensive Players of the Week
A look at the three best defensive performances from the opening round of the state playoffs. Players of the Week Corbin Miller, The Academy Wildcats (LB)(Sr.)(33) – Miller was easily the state’s most productive tackler from the opening round of…
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Continue ReadingA look at the three best defensive performances from the opening round of the state playoffs.
Players of the Week
Corbin Miller, The Academy Wildcats (LB)(Sr.)(33) – Miller was easily the state’s most productive tackler from the opening round of the state playoffs, despite the Wilcats’ tough 14-13 loss to the University Bulldogs. In what would be his final game as a Wildcat defender, Miller left everything on the field, registering an incredible 23 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, and a pass deflection. When you put on the film of Miller’s performance, you can see that Miller is a very smart LB that displays a great understanding of how to work through traffic in order to maintain his gap responsibilities. Disciplined 2nd level defender that is rarely caught out of position when setting the edge, filling his run fits, and when pursuing the ball carrier. Very physical LB that consistently brings good power/force at the point-of-attack when making contact with the ball carrier. Shows great hand technique and strength when working against opposing blockers to stack and shed. Conventional Mike backer that is a solid all-around 2nd level defender in every phase of the defense, but is at his best coming up in run support. Shows requisite first step explosiveness that allows him to gain an edge on some blockers whether he’s coming downhill for run support or blitzing the passer. Miller isn’t currently ranked on any recruiting boards for the class of 2023, with the Wildcats’ lower level of competition (2A) probably explaining why. While I’m sure Miller would much rather have the win than the individual accolades, he is certainly a talented player that gave it everything he had against the Bulldogs.
Tyler Hinton, Palisade Bulldogs (DL)(Sr.)(64) – While being an interior defensive lineman, Hinton was still the state’s most productive pass rusher from last week with his performance in the Bulldogs 42-8 domination of the Glenwood Springs Demons. The Glenwood Springs offensive line had no answer for Hinton on the interior, as he registered an impressive 6 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, and a pass deflection. When you turn on the tape of Hinton’s performance against the Glenwood Springs offense, you can see Hinton displays a ton of power at the point-of-contact thanks to a very strong lower body, core, and upper body as well as having an extremely low center of gravity that prevents him from being knocked off balance. Extremely physical defender that can routinely win with power when rushing the QB thanks to his overall body strength as well as his outstanding hand strength and placement. A consistently high motor player that always plays through the whistle and will continue to pursue the ball carrier well beyond the line-of-scrimmage. Shows requisite first step explosiveness that can allow him to quickly get on top of less athletic offensive linemen. Generates an exceptional amount of force/pop when making contact with the ball carrier, routinely stone-walling their progress as soon as contact is made. Displays a good ability/understanding of how to clog running lanes/eat up blockers to funnel ball carriers to the second and third level defenders so they can make a play. Hinton isn’t currently rated on any recruiting boards, but he’ll look to continue being a key contributor towards a Palisade state title run.
Colton Gerber, Littleton Lions (DL/LB)(Jr.)(57) – Much like Hinton, Gerber is another interior defensive lineman that had an incredible performance last week despite the Lions’ tough 14-6 loss to the Wheat Ridge Farmers. However, in this matchup, Gerber also took snaps as a Mike backer and made his presence felt defending the run as opposed to rushing the passer, as he accounted for a dominant 20 tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a pass deflection against the Wheat Ridge offense. When you dive into the film from Gerber’s performance against the Farmers offense, you can see Gerber’s incredible power at the point-of-attack when making contact with the opposing offensive linemen or when making contact with the opposing ball carrier, consistently stopping any forward progress for the ball carrier and routinely opposing offensive linemen. A combination of strong arms and a strong lower body with good hand placement allow him to quickly stack and shed opposing blockers when working towards the ball carrier. Good athleticism and lateral agility with a short but sturdy frame (5’9, 200 lbs) that allow him to fill his run fits hard or shoot the gap quickly when his hand is in the dirt to knife into the backfield. Gerber isn’t currently rated on any recruiting boards but will be an important piece of the Lions defense next week and into next season.