Class A D2: 2023’s Still Available After Early Signing Day
Early Signing Day has come and gone, with Division 1 programs around the country securing signatures from most, if not all, of their recruits for the 2023 class. We now enter a phase where we start to see junior colleges,…
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Continue ReadingEarly Signing Day has come and gone, with Division 1 programs around the country securing signatures from most, if not all, of their recruits for the 2023 class.
We now enter a phase where we start to see junior colleges, Division 2, and Division 3 programs get into the act and hand out offers to athletes around the state. In this article, we begin to take a hard look at some promising prospects who either don’t have any offers yet, or will be waiting until the traditional signing day of February 3rd to put pen to paper.
Eli Thomason – RB – 5’10” – Christian Heritage HS / @thomason_eli
The one thing I kept noticing on his tape is his leg drive. Something like this isn’t usually the first thing a scout looks for as a player’s signature source of success, but the truth is Thomason doesn’t make a lot of people miss. He does, however, get a lot of yards after contact, and when he gets loose from a tackler, he can accelerate in a hurry. His constant leg drive makes him a tough player to tackle, and his ability to accelerate in a flash gives him the right combination for a dangerous runner. When he does get going, he eats up angles fast. The angle of approach/pursuit means everything to a defender when the ball-carrier is in the open field. Thomason is a player that makes those angles very difficult to judge. That speed is also a bit deceptive because he has long legs and arms. You don’t realize how fast he is running until you watch the guys chasing him that aren’t gaining ground.
Malachi Banks – RB – 5’10” 170 – Schley County HS / @MalachiBanks6
Banks ability to make tacklers miss in the open field is on par with any of the top backs we have seen in Class A D2. He runs with a low center of gravity, and his feet are lightning quick, and the result is often him making tacklers look foolish when he has space. What’s more impressive is that Banks has the build to run in between the tackles as well. Banks plays with patience and vision, and when he spots a running lane, the explosion shows up as if he were in the open field. He can also adjust on the fly when defenders get initial penetration, which makes him even more difficult to corral. It really doesn’t matter where he gets the ball, if multiple defenders aren’t flowing to him, he’s got the ability to turn it into a chunk play.
Desmond Cofer – ATH – 6’0″ 165 – Washington-Wilkes HS / @DesmondCofer
Cofer is a dynamic and versatile offensive weapon who raises the offensive floor of teams by creating mismatches. The senior can returns kicks and takes snaps in the slot. Cofer is a sturdy receiver that can make catches outside his frame and shows good concentration when defenders close in on him. Cofer generates significant yards after the catch because of his acceleration, burst, and twitch. These traits also translate to his work as a running back. Cofer burst allows him to reach the second and third levels of the defense, creating opportunities for long touchdown runs. He uses his acceleration to get north-south and pull away from defenders in the open field. His juice eliminates angles on outside runs and puts defenders in trail positions.