Potential breakout players next Fall: 2024 Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700"><em>Heading into this off-season, who are some 2024 defenders across Idaho that are coming off impressive Junior years and set to really breakout in 2023? below are five rising Seniors to keep a close eye on this off-season and next Fall and who are without a doubt next level caliber players. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["540332"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c20318d37c3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Groom is another one of the top defensive backs in the state and is an important piece in the state championship winning Rigby defense. Groom has elite range, closing speed and ball skills while very effective in run support on the edge, bringing a nice thump at contact and takes good angles in space while able to break quickly without taking false steps. He has the ability to cover the entire field on the backend or play on a island in man coverage. Coming off a very nice Junior campaign, he is in line for a even bigger Senior season and is a no brainer next level player that will be offered as he progresses through his Senior season. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["530778"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c20318d381c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Swearhart is coming off a terrific Junior campaign playing for one of the most respected programs in the region. Very athletic for the position and can also thump in the box, he offers nice size and length at the next level and will only continue to grow and fill out as he progresses through this off-season and into his Senior year. Although not holding any early offers just yet, he should make an impact on the camp circuit this off-season and remains one of the better 2024 defenders that Idaho has. Heading into his Senior year, he is poised for a monster Senior season and should be one of the next great Rocky Mountain defenders. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["336940"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c20318d3861"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>George had one of the better seasons of any linebacker, regardless of class in 2022 and is a no brainer next level caliber kid. He has a stout build, is very strong at the POA and should fit nicely at inside linebacker in college with plus athleticism and cover abilities. A very high IQ player, he is a high motor prospect that plays with a low hat, excels in space and flashes some cover abilities as well. He should collect FCS interest through his Senior season and is part of a very impressive up-coming Senior class for Highland. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["540382"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c20318d38a2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McBride might be the top DB in the state, and was very consistent in 2022 rarely getting tested and going against opponents best receivers. He is very smooth in transition, shows disciplined eyes in man coverage and ball skills when attacking the ball in the air. He does a nice job at using his hands in press coverage and shows recovery speed and length if giving up ground. His ability to play both up near the LOS, help in run support and comfortable in zone coverage make him a versatile and intriguing prospect at the next level that should have a stellar Senior season. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["336938"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c20318d38e3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c20318d38fe"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Young is long, athletic and twitchy near the LOS with a quick first step and natural bend off the edge. A natural pass rusher, he shows a variety of speed to power moves and has a quick use of hands against athletic tackles while able to dip underneath the punch of bigger tackles and win with pad level and hand placement at the POA. In the run game, he displays quick block recognition, good backside pursuit and strong strike when resetting the LOS. As he packs on more weight to his frame, he should be able to keep his hand in the dirt at the next level and be a very athletic and explosive defensive end/outside linebacker depending on the scheme. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->