Defensive 2024 Breakout Candidates? February Edition
The Class of 2024 is loaded with talent all over the state of North Carolina! Let’s continue to take a look at players that have the potential to break out on the recruiting scene this upcoming season. Dezmun Porter –…
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Continue ReadingThe Class of 2024 is loaded with talent all over the state of North Carolina! Let’s continue to take a look at players that have the potential to break out on the recruiting scene this upcoming season.
Dezmun Porter – LB – Crest
Dezmun is a talented player that makes big plays at big times in games. He stands at 6’1 and 200 pounds and does a lot of different things well. He does a good job of playing off blocks and making tackles in the run game – both from an inside and an outside linebacker position. The one thing I love the most though is his pass coverage skills – both in man and zone, but especially his discipline in zone coverage and his ability to read and diagnose what offenses are trying to do. He has several pass breakups and a couple of interceptions on his film reflective of this ability. He had some interest this past fall and visited a couple of local universities – I expect that to increase going into the camp season.
Jay Wilson – DB – Mooresville
An All-Conference and All-County player, Jay is part of a talented Mooresville team who had a breakthrough season last year. At 5’11 and 170 pounds, he plays primarily a slot or nickel corner type of position for the Blue Devils. He impacts the game in a lot of ways – tackles in the open field, interceptions, pass breakups, and he even had 2 sacks last year. As you could imagine, one of his strengths is his play recognition and reactive skills when the ball is in the air. He plays aggressively and is not scared to tackle in open space – there were several times on film where he was the last line of defense, and he made open field tackles to prevent first downs from becoming touchdowns. The recruiting process is always a little slower for slot defensive backs, but as long as he shows consistency in camp season and early next season, college interest will definitely come his way.
Rocco Fazzolari – DL – Cuthbertson
Rocco is a player that really started playing well as the season went on last year for the Cavaliers. He is 6’3 and 220 pounds and was named an All-Conference and All-Area player. He had 60 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks last year. Obviously, coaches will love his size out of the gate. I do like his ability to play off of blocks and make tackles in the run game. Even pass rushers need to know how to use their hands, disengage, and disrupt to stay on the field for all three downs. I also like Rocco’s motor – there is one play in particular on film where he chases a running back down from 30 yards away to prevent a touchdown. If he gets off to a good start this season, I would expect interest to come in pretty quickly from some schools on the next level.
Austin Settles – LB – Ardrey Kell
This is a good football player right here. Austin is 6’1 and 190 pounds and everything you want in a middle linebacker. He’s consistent, and steady, and is going to make important plays to change the game when you need the most. He tackles well in space and can sift through traffic on inside runs to support the run game. He can line up and blitz from depth or come off the edge and sack the quarterback. Also, on off-schedule plays, he knows when to break away from his pass assignment and stop the ball carrier for minimum gains. He had over 80 tackles last season and earned the accolade of All-Conference Linebacker of the Year. I think from a recruiting standpoint schools will wait to see how his senior year starts, and if he can produce at the same levels, he will receive the interest that he is deserving of.
Sammy Washington – DB – Butler
Whenever a player has a nickname, you know he is confident in his abilities and is probably pretty talented. That is the case with Sammy “Seatbelt” Washington. I like his frame, which is one of the reasons I have him as a breakout candidate. He stands at 6’1 and 185 pounds, and that’s a good size to play the outside corner position and matchup against the big and most talented receivers on most teams. I think he plays with good technique and can speed turn and go very well. He has a good reaction to balls in his area in zone coverage, and in man coverage, he does very well in deep ball one on one coverage – he was never a threat on the film of getting beat over the top. He also does a good job in run support, tackles well in space, and he can play off blocks by a wide receiver and make tackles. I think if he has a strong camp season, interest should start coming his way before the start of the season.