Ann Arbor Area Players I’m Looking Forward to Watching in 2023
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Davis Taylor Davis Taylor 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Dexter | 2024 MI – 2024 – Dexter- Hudl Taylor lined up a lot as the nickel back for Dexter this past season. Dexter played a lot of zone coverage…
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Continue ReadingDavis Taylor Davis Taylor 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Dexter | 2024 MI – 2024 – Dexter- Hudl
Taylor lined up a lot as the nickel back for Dexter this past season. Dexter played a lot of zone coverage and a lot of 5-defensive back looks which was a great way to utilize their athletes. Taylor really excelled in zone coverage with his ability to quickly read quarterbacks and make plays on the football. You see the burst in his game and he can close quickly and make tackles on running backs before they pick up much yardage.
Dexter will put Taylor in the box where he can use he physicality to make tackles on inside run plays. Dexter losses many starters from last years team so Taylor will certainly be a key guy on this defense. I am very impressed with this program and how well coached they are. I expect Taylor and the Dexter defense to play at a high level once again and I look forward to seeing their high level play.
Dylan Mesman Dylan Mesman 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE Saline | 2024 State MI – 2024 – Saline – Hudl
Mesman has played a lot of good football for Saline these past few seasons and I have had the pleasure of watching him play in person. The physical ability is all their for Mesman who stands 6-5 and moves very well for a guy this size. Mesman can run block and pass block. Saline will motion Mesman out of the backfield and ask him to make blocks on the move. He is a guy who with his combination of size and acceleration can work the middle of the field.
Mesman is a good athlete who can adjust to passes that are thrown a little off target. Mesman will compete and he did a good job of showing up in a big way against Belleville in the District final game. Saline returns several key players from last year and this team will have a chance to be really good once again. I expect Mesman to continue to improve and look forward to seeing him play big part in the success of the offense in 2023.
Elijah Easley – 2024 – Ann Arbor Huron – Hudl
The stats were eye-popping for Easley this past year. He finished the season with 84 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 3 tackles that resulted in safeties and 1 forced fumble.
The acceleration and play speed is legitimate with Easley. He is a guy that will fly towards ball carriers with no hesitation. He trusts what he sees and can create big time tackles for loss when opposing teams run end-arounds. He is a very effective blitzer who can shoot gaps with ease. Huron plays a 3-4 defense and keeps Easley at the inside linebacker position. They keep him at the Will position to he can stay freed up and go track down ball carriers.
Easley has good play strength and can get off blocks well. He is a physical tackler who does a good job of wrapping up. I love how fast and aggressive he plays. He is a fun player to watch who has a chance to be one of the top players in the Ann Arbor area next year.
James Rush James Rush 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Saline | 2026 State MI – 2026 – Saline – Hudl
Rush has excellent speed and is a guy who can get up to top speed quickly. Rush plays running back and cornerback primarily for Saline. His speed and agility allow him to run down the field with wide receivers. Rush is very good in zone and man coverage. He does a good job of reading quarterbacks and is quick to fly to make plays on the football.
Rush will come up and make tackles and does a good job of taking proper angles to do so. He shows good change of direction and it helps him to always stay in a good athletic position where he is ready to make a play. I like who fluid Rush’s back pedal is and it helps him to get back initially so he is not forced to turn and run too quickly.
I watched Rush play many times last year and came away very impressed. He enters only his sophomore year next year in 2023 and is a guy I believe who will continue to improve on his already impressive skill set.