Spotlight: PRZ Stock Up Showcase Tour – Defensive Standouts
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A look at the five best defensive performances from the Stock Up Showcase. Spotlight Players Omari Bursey Omari Bursey 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Legacy | 2024 State CO , Legacy Lightning (LB)(Jr.)(4) – Bursey was the defensive player…
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Continue ReadingA look at the five best defensive performances from the Stock Up Showcase.
Spotlight Players
Omari Bursey Omari Bursey 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Legacy | 2024 State CO , Legacy Lightning (LB)(Jr.)(4) – Bursey was the defensive player that stood out the most to me and, in my opinion, was easily one of the best prospects at the showcase regardless of position – earning the MVP of the LB group as a result of his dominant performance. Just stepping onto the field, Bursey has a frame that indicates a high-level college player (6’1, 220 lbs) but his numbers during the testing period indicated a high-level college player as well, as he posted some of the best testing numbers of any prospect at the showcase regardless of position. Keeping his size in mind while looking at his numbers during the testing period is just mind-boggling to think about and is a testament to how rare a prospect with his level of athleticism is. In the position and 1-on-1 periods, Bursey continued to make his presence felt, routinely standing out amongst his peers in the position group and difficult for most RBs to get around in 1-on-1s. Bursey’s film from his junior season certainly supports his performance from the showcase, as he immediately jumps off the tape as the biggest and most explosive player on the field which makes him an almost unstoppable force on the defensive side of the ball. An absolute heat-seeking missile of a Mike backer that can quickly close in on the ball carrier while in pursuit. A sideline-to-sideline eraser that can quickly shoot his gap and get into the backfield while also displaying the ability to swiftly set the edge and prevent ball carriers from bouncing it outside. Explosive, downhill runner out of his stance that can win against opposing blockers or ball carriers with both power and speed. Aggressive and extremely physical defender that brings a ton of force behind his pads at the point-of-attack, routinely stopping the opposing ball carrier dead in his tracks. Shows good overall ability when being asked to drop into pass coverage, having the size and speed to stick with most RBs or TEs in man coverage while also showing an ability to make a play on the ball when dropping into zone coverage. Bursey is currently rated the number 5 LB and the number 42 player overall for the class of 2024, which feels like an extremely low rating for him given his rare combination of size and athleticism. Regardless, Bursey has elite potential as a prospect and will be a fun name to follow in 2023.
Jake Stonebraker Jake Stonebraker 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Douglas County | 2024 State CO , Douglas County Huskies (LB)(Jr)(24) – Stonebraker was another backer that stood out from the rest early on and continued that high-level of performance throughout the entire night. Stonebraker posted some of the best testing numbers of any of the LBs, including the fastest forty time of his position group. Once the position and 1-on-1 periods began, it was more of the same for Stonebraker, as he consistently stood out as one of the more dominant defenders. All of Stonebraker’s traits during the testing period and 1-on-1s easily translates to the field, as Stonebraker shows incredible explosiveness and physicality in all phases of the game. Incredibly aggressive defender with an exceptional motor that shows up when pursuing the ball carrier and at the point-of-attack. Physical defender that brings a ton of power behind his pads when making contact with the opposing blocker or ball carrier. Explosive, downhill run defender that can quickly fill his run fits or set the edge on a ball carrier trying to bounce outside. Displays excellent versatility in pass coverage, as he’s able to drop into underneath and intermediate zone coverage, buzz the flat, and go man-to-man against most opposing TEs and RBs all at a very high level. Ball hawk of a defender that always seems to make a play on the ball whenever he’s in the general vicinity, whether intercepting a pass or forcing a fumble. Stonebraker is currently rated the number 1 athlete and the number 18 player overall for the class of 2024, which doesn’t come as a surprise at all. He’s an extremely gifted player that will be a stud for whatever collegiate program lands his commitment. Until that day comes though, he’ll be an interesting player to follow in 2023.
Ethan Bird Ethan Bird 6'3" | 190 lbs | DL Littleton | 2023 State CO , Littleton Lions (DL)(Sr.)(13) – Bird, the MVP of the defensive line position group, was undoubtably deserving of that award with his performance on Thursday. While Bird had a fairly impressive performance in the testing period, it was his work in the position period and the 1-on-1 period where he began to make his presence at the showcase felt. Bird presented a challenge for many of the opposing offensive linemen with his combination of length and technique at the point-of-attack, which is what ultimately is what earned him the MVP award for his position group. When you turn on the tape of Bird’s last season at Littleton, all of the traits he displayed at the showcase show up, as the first thing that jumps out about him is his elite first step explosiveness, often using that alone to overwhelm opposing linemen. Outstanding acceleration out of his stance allows him to easily convert speed-to-power when bull rushing. Excellent bend when turning the corner, forcing the opposing tackle to overextend when trying to maintain edge protection. Tall (6’3, 200 lbs), long armed, technically sound pass rusher that has a good understanding of hand technique, placement, and timing that gives him an edge when athleticism and size alone won’t win. Tenacious, high motor defender that will relentlessly pursue the ball carrier downfield, while being disciplined enough to not over-pursue and lose backside contain. Versatile pass rusher that can play both a standard 4-3, hand-in-the-dirt end position or a 3-4 standup LB/rush end position. Bird is currently ranked the number 13 DL and the number 114 player overall for the class of 2023, which might be a little low considering his potential, but regardless he is still an immensely talented player that will be worth a look by some schools before signing day rolls around.
Deion Giles-Ray Deion Giles-Ray 5'9" | 160 lbs | DB Denver East | 2025 State CO , Denver East (DB)(So.)(6) – Giles-Ray was, without question, the top DB from the showcase and earned the MVP of the DB group for his performance. Much like Bird, Giles-Ray had a fairly impressive showing in the testing period but it was his performance in the position period and the 1-on-1 period that launched him into MVP status as he showed a high level of consistency in locking down even the most polished of the receivers at the showcase. Giles-Ray also showed throughout the night the ability to learn and improve his technique with coaching, which is an integral component of success for a DB. All of the traits that Giles-Ray showed at the showcase translate to in-game scenarios, as his film from his sophomore season shows a DB with a knack for finding the football, whether dropping into coverage or coming up in run support. Versatile chess piece of a player on the back end of the defense that lined up in multiple different positions depending on the formation; lining up as a deep safety, in the box, and nickel corner. Aggressive tackler that brings plenty of force to the point-of-attack when making contact with the opposing ball carrier despite his smaller frame (5’9, 165 lbs). Displays a physical and tenacious playing style that allows him to make his presence felt in run support and pass defense by the opposing offense, as he never shies away from contact. Shows a good understanding of his gap responsibilities when coming up to make his run fits, filling hard and rarely being out of position. Shows excellent ability as an the box defender or nickel corner, but is at his best when lined up as a deep defender in the middle of the field where he can keep everything in front of him while presenting insurance for the defense on the backend. Giles-Ray is currently ranked the number 7 DB and the number 62 player overall for the class of 2025, but he can certainly expect that ranking to rise over the next two seasons if he continues to consistently play at a high level.
Mikhail Benner Mikhail Benner 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Broomfield | 2025 State CO , Broomfield Eagles (DB)(So.)(9) – Benner was another DB that quickly stood out as one of the premier players in his position group. During the testing period, Benner posted some of the best numbers of any prospect in the DB group but his showing in the position period and the 1-on-1 period is what would push him to the top of the group, as his combination of length and athleticism made it a tough matchup for many of the receivers that went against him. When you turn on the film of Benner’s sophomore season, you can see many of the traits he showed during the showcase were on full display, as he shows an uncanny ability to find the football, with this being the result of a combination of excellent top end foot speed, lateral agility, and tracking ability while the ball is in the air. Outstanding athlete with excellent first step explosiveness that allows him to hit top gear quickly and run stride-for-stride with most boundary receivers. Has the ideal build for a top-flight boundary corner as he has outstanding size and length (6’1, 175 lbs) that most lock down DBs have. Technically sound DB that rarely ever panics or gets handsy if he is in a less than ideal position to make a play on the ball/receiver. Prototypical ball-hawk DB that can shut down an entire quarter of the defensive backfield, routinely making opposing passers pay when they decide to test his side of the field. Benner is currently rated the number 2 DB and the number 11 player overall for the class of 2025, which isn’t really a surprise at all. Benner is an tremendously talented player that will only see his buzz on the recruiting trail increase more and more as he continues to grow over the next two seasons of his prep career at Broomfield.