2025 Sleepers in the Secondary

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have been impressed with the defensive back prospects throughout the state of Nevada. However, there are definitely a few soon-to-be upperclassmen who have fallen through the cracks. These five defensive backs are sure to shoot up recruiting lists with dominant junior seasons. Below, I detail the flashes of next level ability they displayed as sophomore defenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["820685"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='820685' first='Ethan' last='Hendee'] is a versatile prospect out of Carson City. Ethan is gearing up for his second year of varsity football after a solid sophomore year. Look for Ethan's receiving and returning production to add to the ascension of his recruitment this fall.rnrnAs a receiver, Ethan shows good football IQ finding holes in defenses' zone. Strength and toughness shows as a ball carrier taking a beating when catching balls in traffic over the middle. Ethan's good awareness and fluid change of direction shows breaking on underneath balls when he is yards away defending a deep zone. Ethan displays his tracking ability and next level acceleration catching up to receivers at the catchpoint after they have beaten him vertically. A good foundation of tools and a DB skill set give Ethan a chance to make an easy transition to strong safety or nickelback at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["820686"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='820686' first='Damien' last='Nevil'] is a versatile prospect out of the SLAM Academy in Las Vegas. The defensive back has shown some progress in the weight room this spring and coaches have been sure to notice at the 7 on 7 and prospect camps Damien has competed in. Be on the lookout for Damien to start taking official visits sooner rather than later.rnrnNext level ball skills and a smooth change of direction shows tracking u0026amp; extending at the catchpoint to take footballs away from intended receivers. Damien's good power, tackling ability, and athleticism shows mirroring and dropping ball carriers in the open field; Natural heavy-hitting skillset and good awareness in coverage highlights Damien's potential as a do-it-all safety in college.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["820625"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='820625' first='Sean' last='Craig'] is two-sport athlete out of Liberty High School. Sean has been busy this summer competing at TCU, Utah, Arizona, and UNLV camps. With great size and a foundation of cornerback skills, watch for Sean's recruitment to pick up steam before 2024 gets here.rnrnSean's burst and next level athleticism shows changing direction and attacking receivers who are targeted in the flat. Quick feet and physicality get displayed on punt return when Sean disrupts gunners at the line of scrimmage. Good length and quickness shown in press coverage highlight Sean's potential to operate on an island at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["820675"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='820675' first='Ryan' last='Kiwanuka'] is in line to be a lockdown defender for Coronado High School on Friday nights this fall. Since March, Ryan has visited Cal, Ohio State, Arizona, UCLA, and UNLV. Keep an eye out for Ryan to receive more regional attention during his junior season.rnrnRyan's athleticism and acceleration shows exploding after changing directions to cover bubble screens that target his flat zone responsibilities. Good length and reactive athleticism gets displayed in press coverage when Ryan blankets underneath routes for pass break ups. Good open field tackling ability and Ryan's effort shown blocking a punt highlight his special teams value as a young college player.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1571170' first='Erick' last='Rodriguez']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Galena ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1571170' first='Erick' last='Rodriguez'] is a rising cornerback out of Reno who had three interceptions as a sophomore. Although he has attended several camps in the region, I am surprised Erick has not had any official invites to visit colleges. If all goes according to plan, expect Erick's recruitment to result in offers before his junior season has finished.rnrnErick's burst and next level power shows exploding from deep zone to disrupt catches in the flat. Strength, athleticism, and good ball skills show ripping 50/50 balls away from bigger receivers in the end zone. Toughness and a quick change of direction highlight Erick's potential to line up in the slot as a press defender in college. Fast feet and confidence in man coverage allow Erick to be penciled in as both a strong safety and nickelback prospect for defensive recruiters.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6489063028c74"} /-->