Friday Film Review – April 21st, 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every Friday during February through April, we're going to throw on the tape and break down athletes across Oklahoma. In February, we put out a tweet asking prospects in the 2024-2026 classes to send us their film for our Film Review feature. Over 150 responses later and we're off to the races. We've reviewed well over 100 prospects all over Oklahoma so far. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma every Friday for more breakdowns on athletes across Oklahoma.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're not featured this week but have sent us your film, don't worry! You're on the list and will be covered in the future. Now, all of these breakdowns are based on the film we have access to. And this isn't just a puff piece. While the majority of the breakdowns will be positive, it will also include areas to improve, question marks and more for the prospect to work on as we head into the spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["215197"],"_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":"When we added Piedmont 2024 standout [player_tooltip player_id='215197' first='Cannon' last='Wood'] to the list of prospects for film breakdown, we knew that he was going to have one of the better films from last season. Wood ended up earning All State honors following his junior season for his production on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. In our opinion, he was one of the best two-way players in the state last season and will go into this fall as one of the best at what he does. And the film backs up those statements. On offense, as a running back in Piedmont's option attack, Wood runs like a linebacker at the running back position. He is so incredibly physical with the ball in his hands and he has to be within their offense as he'll get hit near the line of scrimmage, bounce off and make some eye-popping plays. On defense, that's where Wood shines as an absolute star at linebacker. We mentioned the production and the physicality and those were both on full display. He's an outstanding athlete just scratching the surface on what he can be at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["791632"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Pryor 2024 running back [player_tooltip player_id='791632' first='Julian' last='Espinoza'] was a prospect that we didn't know much about prior to throwing the film on and watching his game from last season. But he was the first prospect we watched this week and the only one that primarily plays running back and the film was impressive. The first thing that stood out was his production. The first several clips of his junior film end up with him in the end zone. His running stride was really impressive to watch and when he gets in the open field, he's able to accelerate and make a small play into one that ends with points going on the scoreboard. Espinoza is listed at multiple positions but almost all of his film from last season was at the running back position. And he also helped the passing game out of the backfield and has good vision and anticipation with the ball in his hands. As far as Espinoza as a running back prospect, we want to see him in person to get a good feel for how big he is but the film showcased plenty of talent.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["595684"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Pawhuska 2024 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='595684' first='Noah' last='Willson'] is a prospect that we saw in person at our camp back in January and he passed the eye test there. Then we put on his tape from his junior season and he passed the eye test again. Willson has great size and there is some versatility with his size that can allow him to be utilized in a variety of ways. For Pawhuska, he was primarily used as a tight end, wide receiver and on defense as an outside linebacker or simply an edge rusher. On defense, he had nearly 100 tackles last season and the production is what really stood out with some of his defensive film. But after watching all of it, it felt like Willson really shined brightest on the offensive side of the ball. He had a size advantage against just about every team Pawhuska faced last season and he was a red zone nightmare for opponents to deal with. He has really good vision and knows where to be on the field. Right now, we're leaning to offense for Willson as a prospect but could see him eventually getting there on defense.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["383303"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Similar to Espinoza at Pryor, Blanchard 2024 defender [player_tooltip player_id='383303' first='Tyler' last='Hughes'] was another prospect that we didn't know much about heading into this week. And just like Espinoza, Hughes has a few positions listed on his Twitter and Hudl. But after watching the film, the breakdown is somewhat simple. Size-wise, he looks like a defensive back based on the film. But based on the film, Hughes plays like an absolute game-wrecker at linebacker. The majority of his film featured him lining up near the line of scrimmage and he will lower his helmet and put a hit on an opponent, that's for sure. The run support coming from Hughes was outstanding as he was incredibly productive in that department last season. Another thing that was impressive was Hughes in the special teams department. Any time the ball ended up in his hands, he showcased some athleticism to get in the open field and make a play. But his future as a prospect feels like it's on defense but the only question is where that will be.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["477314"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Out of the five prospects on this breakdown, Mustang 2025 defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='477314' first='Waleed' last='Gaines Jr']. was the only one that we also saw in person last season. He impressed despite his team losing in district play to Union. And then we put on his film from his sophomore season and continued to be impressed with him as a legitimate prospect at the cornerback position. Gaines had really strong film and what was really impressive was the opponents he made plays against. It wasn't just clip after clip against the bottom half of Mustang's schedule. It showcased his abilities against some of their tougher opponents, featuring some really good quarterbacks and skill players. Gaines was good in multiple positions and coverages. Whether he was lined up against the outside receiver or slot receiver, he was productive. Whether he was in man to man coverage or in zone, he was productive. One thing that impressed us last season and that jumped off the film was his ability to hit and tackle in the open field.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644308741d76d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->