WEEK 5: Top Defensive DOGS

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Throughout the week following Friday HS Football Game Day, Prep Redzone scout Drew Johnson will be highlighting some of the standouts and notable performances from the weekend. Teams around the state kicked off week five and there were certainly some “Game Changers” and Notable Prospects to make note of.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Note: If you feel we missed a prospect or have a notable athlete worth mentioning, DM me @RealNews102.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='741395' first='Preston' last='Watson'] | DT | Class of 2024 | Seminole | @Prezwatson95</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Duke DT commit was dominant on the defensive line coming up with a couple of sacks and QB hurries in a 45-20 win over Vero Beach. He's a monster in the trenches, finishing with 2 sacks, 3 TFL, and an INT.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://x.com/prezwatson95/status/1705660972705239212?s=46&amp;t=E0s2L9z46AqxWmKm25SmTQ"><strong>https://x.com/prezwatson95/status/1705660972705239212?s=46&amp;t=E0s2L9z46AqxWmKm25SmTQ</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1128534' first='Maliki' last='Wright'] | LB | Class of 2025 | Dr. Phillips | @Malikiwright1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wright was very productive in a win against Boone High. He finished the night with 5 total tackles, 2 INTs, 1 TFL, and 1 PBU.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16338085/650f13e12351e40a0c982b03"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16338085/650f13e12351e40a0c982b03</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>DJ McCormick | LB | Class of 2024 | Rockledge </strong><strong>| @7_djjjj&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 3-star UCF LB commit made it happen on the defensive end against Osceola on Thursday night. He totaled 12 tackles with 2 forced fumbles to add.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16018219/63307e50386e4c0e3c3f9173"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16018219/63307e50386e4c0e3c3f9173</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Clarence Gaspard | LB | Class of 2024 | Lake Minneola | @ClarenceG239</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaspard and crew gave life to Lake Minneola in a close attempt at a second comeback against Mainland. Despite a tough loss, the 6-2, 225-pound senior wreaked havoc on the defensive line, recording sacks and multiple tackles for loss.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://x.com/clarenceg239/status/1667170679924445184?s=46&amp;t=E0s2L9z46AqxWmKm25SmTQ"><strong>https://x.com/clarenceg239/status/1667170679924445184?s=46&amp;t=E0s2L9z46AqxWmKm25SmTQ</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Srlondo Whiley | DE | Class of 2026 | Leesburg | @SrlondoW__</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whiley finished as the defensive player of the game for the Yellow Jackets as he found himself in the opposing offense's backfield quite often in a 55-14 win over Villages Charter. He totaled 8 tackles with 6 of those as tackles for loss. The 6-1, 235-pound rising sophomore is a beast with plenty of upside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://x.com/leesburghsfb/status/1705604932412334265?s=46&amp;t=E0s2L9z46AqxWmKm25SmTQ"><strong>https://x.com/leesburghsfb/status/1705604932412334265?s=46&amp;t=E0s2L9z46AqxWmKm25SmTQ</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Cedric Townsend | DB | Class of 2025 | Mulberry | @Gokrazi_cool</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about wanting to put your name on the map. Townsend has made the most of his love for Mulberry and had a breakout game on Friday against Santa Fe, totaling 3 interceptions with a 108-yard pick-six. He also added 3 tackles, 1 PBU, and 1 TFL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19349596/650e7dcd3dead712e490d34f"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19349596/650e7dcd3dead712e490d34f</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Jaydon Williams | DB | Class of 2024 | Bartow | @863_jayy1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has developed into one of my top defensive back prospects in the Polk region. He can do it all: reliable tackling/coverage, advanced football IQ, and a high motor and engine to get things done on both sides of the ball. Impressed with his development and upside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9090599/650edd3690f9e80a24e1b087"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9090599/650edd3690f9e80a24e1b087</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Omari Russel | DB | Class of 2026 | Fort Meade | @omari_russell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the premier 2026 prospects in the Polk area had a productive night in a 21-14 win over Victory Christian, finishing with 6 total tackles, 1 INT, and 2 PBU.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://x.com/omari_russell/status/1706006637654261876?s=46&amp;t=E0s2L9z46AqxWmKm25SmTQ"><strong>https://x.com/omari_russell/status/1706006637654261876?s=46&amp;t=E0s2L9z46AqxWmKm25SmTQ</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>Damon Troutman | LB | Class of 2024 | Edgewater | @TroutmanDamon&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Troutman and the entire Edgewater defense was active to hold Apopka to no points in a 27-0 win on Friday. Troutman finished as my top defensive standout after totaling 17 tackles and a forced fumble against the Blue Darters. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15995940/64f3882b478cb512744e8d3a"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15995940/64f3882b478cb512744e8d3a</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1209647' first='Trey' last='Berry'] | DB | Class of 2025 | Lakeland Christian | @Trey_berryy2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more slept-on defensive products in Polk continues to have a productive junior season. He recorded 13 total tackles and 1 INT in a 34-29 win against Hardee.<strong> </strong>Berry is currently in the top 30 for total tackles in the state with 57.&nbsp;<br><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11819445/65118271e97be90bf8a9f00f"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11819445/65118271e97be90bf8a9f00f</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->