Class of 2025 Top Ranked “Defensive Backs” In Massachusetts.
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New updated rankings for the class of 2025 shine brightly on Top Recruits in New England. In this report, I will review the 2022 season highlight film and give a short analysis of each of the newly Top ranked recruits…
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Continue ReadingNew updated rankings for the class of 2025 shine brightly on Top Recruits in New England. In this report, I will review the 2022 season highlight film and give a short analysis of each of the newly Top ranked recruits we have identified as “Defensive Backs” and who are balling in Massachusetts.
AJ Azuakolam AJ Azuakolam 6’2″ | 175 lbs | DB Buckingham Browne & Nichols | 2025 State New E He is ranked as the #1 class of 2025 “Defensive Back” in Massachusetts and also the # 3 ranked “Defensive Back” in the New England. He attends The Buckingham Browne and Nichols in Massachusetts.
He has high level ball hawking abilities. He can deliver bone crushing hits. Has a very athletic lean muscular frame with length in his legs and arms. At safety, I look for someone that can work downhill fast, and that plays tough in run support. The safety is often a captain on the field because of what he can see, and the checks he can make from his vantage point on the field. “Azuakolam is a perfect example of a rising talented Defensive Back/Safety in my view. He checks all the boxes such as instincts and thought process, competitiveness, tackling and run support, ball skills, coverage, and leadership.
He has a very high ceiling ahead and should see college attention spike before and during the 2023 season.
Highlights
Angel Gonzalez Angel Gonzalez 6’0″ | 170 lbs | WR Thayer Academy | 2025 New E He is ranked as the #2 class of 2025 “Defensive Back” in Massachusetts and also the # 4 ranked “Defensive Back” in the New England. He attends The Thayer Academy in Massachusetts.
He is a name out of Thayer Academy in Massachusetts that might surprise some that are not in the know. Our Prep Redzone Northeast Director; Vic Castillo, has evaluated “Gonzalez” and found the following:
Some positives, there’s clear attention to detail in both his in-game and off-season route running. Off-season reps show he’s putting in the work, freshman/sophomore tape show how polished a receiver the young man is. The catch radius extends way above Gonzalez’s head, proving he can be a 50/50 ball dominator when given the chance. There is still a ton of room for improvement in regards to his overall frame, which is exciting considering he is already utilizing his height and physicality despite weighing just 160 pounds. He will see much stronger defensive back play in his future, putting on 10-15 pounds while maintaining his speed would do his stock wonders. He’s a sleeper of mine, hoping to see a productive first season at Thayer Academy this Fall 2023.
Jake Palm Jake Palm 6’1″ | 180 lbs | ATH Reading Memorial | 2025 State New E He is ranked as the #3 class of 2025 “Defensive Back” in Massachusetts and also the # 6 ranked “Defensive Back” in the New England. He attends Reading Memorial in Massachusetts.
“Palm” has good height for strong side safety. He is put together well enough to be physical and durable. He has short-area quickness with a burst and acceleration. He can close space quickly. He is able to tackle in space and uses a strike-through-the-body technique when tackling. He is effective at tackling on the edge and in space. His ball skills are good He plays the ball well and can win 50-50 balls. He can bend. He is able to “see” run fits develop and play accordingly. He is willing and able to make the plays downfield.
Jordan Summers Jordan Summers 5’11” | 170 lbs | DB Belmont Hill | 2025 State New E He is ranked as the #4 class of 2025 “Defensive Back” in Massachusetts and also the # 7 ranked “Defensive Back” in the New England. He attends Belmont Hill School in Massachusetts.
In my opinion, the position of cornerback requires an elite or highy level athlete. Someone that can not only run fast in a straight line, because that’s imperative, but also has fluidity in the hips and ankles to open up the hips, change direction, and re-accelerate instantly. “Summers” checks many of these traits playing corner. When I view Summers, I see great game play speed, reactionary quickness, production versus the pass, toughness (mental and physical) in his skill set, and high level field awareness. A soklid corner and displays experience and knowledge on how to play the position and be effective.
Connor Acheson Connor Acheson 5’9″ | 180 lbs | DB Andover | 2025 State New E He is ranked as the #5 class of 2025 “Defensive Back” in Massachusetts and also the # 8 ranked “Defensive Back” in the New England. He attends Andover High School in Massachusetts.
A solid DB who tackles with a very low pad level and secure tackles while playing the safety position. His field vision is of higher quality. He knows how to find the ball when it’s in the air and displays several ball hawking clips in his film. Has a very good burst and reaction to run support needs. He takes very good pursuit angles when ball carriers attempt to get the outside perimeter. Closes nicely and quickly in open field tackles.
He will fight the height concern moving forward through the recruiting process. However, his overall aggressive play and playmaking abilities stand out and cant be ignored. I see his college interest being sparked during 2023 summer camp season and after 2023 fall season of play.