Brian’s Twitter Evals
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In the previous round of our Twitter stories, we focused on guys who mainly played in the box. This time – as chance has it – we transition to mostly skill-position guys and defensive backs. Keep that highlight film coming!…
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Continue ReadingIn the previous round of our Twitter stories, we focused on guys who mainly played in the box. This time – as chance has it – we transition to mostly skill-position guys and defensive backs. Keep that highlight film coming!
With just one year of starting experience with the varsity, there is a lot to like about Thornburg. He is only listed at 6’0, but he plays much taller than that, and with a couple of years to grow, he has the ideal size for the position. When he is allowed to step into his throws, he throws a great deep ball. Although his arm strength stands out, he has nice touch, too – dropping balls sweetly between linebackers and safeties on crossing routes. He can run the ball, but he will not look to beat you with a ton of rushing yards. He will beat you with his feet by moving effectively around the pocket. When on the move, he does a great job keeping his eyes down the field and throws accurately and with some zip, even when he doesn’t have time to set his feet.
Highlights
Logan Chappell Logan Chappell 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR Orono | 2024 MN
Logan Chappell Logan Chappell 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR Orono | 2024 MN
Chappell has great length with a big catch radius. He uses his size well. His long striding style allows him to eat up the cushion defensive backs give him and enables him to get separation on deep routes. Where he was most effective last season was on short routes. Despite his long-striding style, he effectively gets in and out of breaks on short routes. Combined with his long reach, that makes him tough to cover underneath. Chappell is a willing blocker who can effectively engage and move defensive backs in the running game.
Lining up as a wide outside linebacker in the Wolfpack’s 3-4 defense, Woerner does a great job combining speed off the edge and his ability to break down and convert from a pass rusher to a run defender. Always under control, he is able to flatten out his pass rush quickly and come down the line of scrimmage in the running game without taking false steps. Likewise, he does a nice job using his hands to keep blockers off his body when setting the edge when the play is run to his side. Because he stays under control and doesn’t get out of position, he is a good tackler in space.
Highlights
Randy Kweyete
Randy Kweyete
Kweyete has excellent closing speed at corner. The defense the Pirates played had the sophomore playing a lot of off-coverage, but that didn’t put receivers at much of an advantage on short routes. Kweyete does a great job planting his back foot and exploding forward to close the gap and make the play. His closing speed not only got him in the play quickly but his closing speed led to some impressive hits in the passing and running games. He is not just a big hitter; he is a good open-field tackler and wraps up even when going for the impactful hit.
Playing primarily on the JV last fall, Simonsen showed – if anything – he has a varsity arm. Simonsen can really sling it. He throws an accurate, easy-looking deep ball. His arm strength also allows him to throw out routes from the hash to the opposite sideline. He also puts a lot of mustard on crossing routes, allowing him to hit receivers before the defense can react. Simonsen is mostly a drop-back passer but can move in the pocket when he has to. He will take his yards on the ground when they are there, but he moves mostly to buy time and not to pick up yards.