Super Sophomores to Watch – Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second-year players have made a significant impact on their teams with outstanding performances on the field throughout the season. I am doing a review of several highly skilled players who have completed their second year of varsity competition. There is a high upside to this group and the best is yet to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Donovan Frederick - MLB, 6'1" 200, Seventy-First HS</strong>. He displayed great lateral movement and speed to cover a lot of ground quickly while closing in on the ball carriers for stops. Donovan finished the season with 182 total tackles, 31 of which were for losses. He had 33 solo tackles and 2 sacks. Donovan averaged 12.1 tackles per game throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='286967' first='Hector' last='Bautista'] - DE, 5'10" 195 (No. 2 DL, No. 23 Overall), Seventy-First HS</strong>. Hector displayed good technique and good use of hands to control blockers while moving past them for stops. He finished the season with 168 total tackles, 59 of which were for losses. He had 19 solo tackles and 9 sacks. Hector averaged 11.2 tackles per game throughout the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='414021' first='Taeshawn' last='Alston'] - DE, 6'4" 205 (No. 1 DL, No. 22 Overall), Vance County HS</strong>. Taeshawn displayed quickness out of his stance to quickly make contact with blockers while moving past them for stops. He finished the season with 67 total tackles, 13.5 of which were for losses. He had 43 solo tackles and 7 sacks. Taeshawn averaged 6.1 tackles per game throughout the season. He has a D1 offer and there are many more to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='351892' first='Julian' last='Brooks'] - DT, 6'2" 260 (No. 4 DL, No. 28 Overall), Eastern Randolph HS</strong>. Julian displayed good technique and good use of hands to control blockers while moving past them for stops. He displayed quickness out of his stance, often unblocked as he moved into the backfield to make stops for losses. Julian moved well in tight spaces to stop the ball carrier. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='286966' first='Jonathan' last='Hinnant'] - OLB, 6'3" 200 (No. 5 DL, No. 38 Overall), Rolesville HS</strong>. Jonathan displayed good lateral movement and quickness to close quickly on the ball carrier for stops. He finished the season with 103 total tackles, 13 of which were for losses. He had 57 solo tackles and 7 sacks. Jonathan averaged 7.4 tackles per game throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='286143' first='Braxton' last='Winston'] - DB, 6'0" 175 (No. 1 DB, No. 5 Overall), Providence Day HS</strong>. Braxton displayed good technique and the ability to change directions quickly to cover receivers. He finished the season with 40 total tackles, 2 of which were for losses. He had 31 solo tackles and 2 interceptions. Braxton deflected 12 passes while covering receivers and averaged 3.3 tackles per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342979' first='Jamar' last='Gillard'] - S, 5'8" 145 (No. 2 DB, No. 34 Overall), South View HS</strong>. Jamar displayed good technique and the ability to change directions quickly to cover receivers. He finished the season with 62 total tackles, 3 of which were for losses. He had 25 solo tackles and 2 passes deflected while covering receivers. Jamar averaged 6.2 tackles per game throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='351828' first='Isaiah' last='Houston'] - OLB, 6'2" 190 (No. 1 LB, No. 13 Overall), Butler HS</strong>. Isaiah displayed good lateral movement and speed to close quickly on the ball carrier for stops. He finished the season with 21 total tackles, 7 of which were for losses. He had 7 solo tackles and forced 3 hurries. Isaiah averaged 3 tackles per game throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475406' first='Keyshawn' last='Richardson'] - OLB, 5'11" 195 (No. 2 LB, No. 48 Overall), Beddingfield HS</strong>. Keyshawn displayed good lateral movement and speed to close quickly on the ball carrier for stops. He finished the season with 52 total tackles, 7 of which were for losses. He had 34 solo tackles and 10 sacks. Keyshawn averaged 5.2 tackles per game throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->