5 Players We Want To See Take The Next Step

<p>As we look ahead at some prospects for the upcoming season. Here are 5 players we would like to see take the next step and some pertinent feedback to help them facilitate their goals. </p>    <p> Martinez is a player that seems to be in the right place at the right times on defense as he finished the season with 4 interceptions. He is a standout safety that is a ballhawk on the backend that is a playmaker. He has solid size at 6'0 160lbs and has a long frame ideal for playing in coverage. </p>   <p> Watching his tape it would seem that he believes his best position is defensive back and I would concur with that notion. Martinez has the tools necessary to take the next step and become elite at his position; he can achieve this by first getting bigger. Understanding, that safety is a position that asks a lot of players, Martinez has the skillset to both play in the box and be good in coverage, but there have to be more plays where he's making more of a difference playing in the box, As a result, would love to see him get up the 180-185lbs range to be a more effective box player, specifically when it comes to tackling. </p>   <p>Lastly, Martinez would do well to learn the game from a mental perspective, so he can play faster. Respectfully, in most of the film you watch, he looks a step behind on a good amount of plays but has the requisite athleticism to make most plays without it being an issue. However, the players who excel at any level of football know their jobs and know them well. Not expecting for him to be a savant of the game, but the easiest way to play faster is to become a film junkie and see plays and tendencies before they happen. </p>   <p>If Martinez does these things I believe he may be a hidden Power 5 gem but we'll see what improvements he prioritizes and makes in the off-season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/D1ajj/status/1608875494304534528 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/D1ajj/status/1589331256344461313 </div></figure>   <p> </p>   <p> </p>    <p>Lumpris has some of the best wide receiver tape you'll find as he is a fast and explosive receiver with size. Lumpris moves differently and it shows on tape as most times he's taking the ball to the house with defenders lagging behind. Since I believe he can be high-end at two positions, im going to offer feedback at both wide receiver and cornerback. </p>   <p> At wide receiver, as I previously mentioned, speed and explosiveness are his game and he can consistently take advantage of the deep portions of the field. As a result, one immediate way I can see him taking his game to another level is by winning and dominating as an outside wide receiver. </p>   <p>To give some context, Lumpris' measurables and physical profile are similar to a wide receiver such as J'Mar Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals. As such, we need to see more of a route tree than just deep routes from the slot where it has been charted and studied how significantly easier it is to win from the slot. While this is no knock on his game, quite frankly, this young man should be dominating every game and his level of competition. Hopefully, Lumpris put the total package on tape as a wide receiver next season.</p>   <p>As a cornerback, he's a special mover and has great instincts. My only advice for him is if he ever decided to take the position seriously and play it full time I believe he could be a special player. Usually, athletes who move the way he does plays wide receiver, but as you go to higher levels theirs fewer defensive backs who can cover these freakishly gifted wide receivers.</p>     <p>Baskin is a player who will not hesitate to let you know that he ran a 4.31 lasered forty time, what he should also let people consistently know is that this past season was his first year of playing organized football. In addition, he does flash that 4.31 speed on the field and is a very smoother mover in pads. The only real feedback you can offer is to keep honing on the crafty and mental parts of playing wide receiver so scouts forget the fact you run a 4.31 and we look at how good you move in and out of your routes. He shows great promise for a young man whose primary sport is track and field. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MattBaskin_/status/1604262363498160128 </div></figure>     <p>Hurley is a linebacker that has the total package in terms of look. If you were to craft a preferred linebacker in today's football landscape, it would be his body type. As far as his game goes he's a very instinctual player and has great read and react ability. He's a solid tackler and has good ability to play sideline to sideline. The only place where he can show obvious improvement is he has no plays in coverage. If/when he adds that to his game he has the ability to be the best linebacker in the entire state and would be a nice Power 5 under-the-radar prospect.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Dallas_Hurley_/status/1599159281688858624 </div></figure>   <p> </p>    <p> Witherspoon is a dominant player looking every bit of 6'5 210. He plays both wide receiver and edge rusher, however, I believe his long-term impact will be on the defensive side. Witherspoon has everything you look for out a high-end edge prospect with a long frame, movement ability, and initial burst. However, I don't see the moves set or the hand usage required to take his game to the next level, but that doesn't mean he can't. Witherspoon has the ability to have a 15+ sack season and that is the challenge I have for him to dominate in an undeniable way in his senior season. </p>   <p>Witherspoon has two offers from Boston College and Ball State, also has interest from Penn State.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/K_Witherspoon12/status/1590191138610483203 </div></figure>

As we look ahead at some prospects for the upcoming season. Here are 5 players we would like to see take the next step and some pertinent feedback to help them facilitate their goals.