Best of Week 8: Dominant Performance Alabama 6A
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Each week, we’ll be highlighting the top performers, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact on the game. In Week 8, several players stood out with dominant performances, showcasing their elite talent and ability to make a difference on the…
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Continue ReadingEach week, we’ll be highlighting the top performers, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact on the game. In Week 8, several players stood out with dominant performances, showcasing their elite talent and ability to make a difference on the field. From quarterbacks to running backs to wide receivers, these players left a lasting impression on fans and analysts alike. In this scouting report, we’ll take a closer look at the top performers of Week 8, examining their stats, highlights, and what makes them so dominant on the field.
Cole Gamble Cole Gamble RB Mountain Brook | 2024 State AL
Cole Gamble Cole Gamble RB Mountain Brook | 2024 State AL
Cole Gamble Cole Gamble RB Mountain Brook | 2024 State AL – rushed for 171 yards on 23 carries & TD vs Parker. Gamble’s ability to make tacklers miss in the open field is on par with any of the top backs we have seen in recent drafts. He runs with a low center of gravity, and his feet are lightning quick, and the result is often him making tacklers look foolish when he has space. Gamble plays with patience and keen vision, and when he spots a running lane, the explosion shows up as if he were in the open field. He can also adjust on the fly when defenders get initial penetration, which makes him even more difficult to corral. It really doesn’t matter where he gets the ball, if multiple defenders aren’t flowing to him, he’s got the ability to turn it into a chunk play.
An area that really shows up on tape is his short-area quickness. Braylon Outlaw Braylon Outlaw 6’0″ | 205 lbs | LB Pike Road | 2026 State AL recorded 10 tackles, sack, 2 interceptions with one TD INT vs Russell County. Outlaw changes direction with ease for a player his size. It’s tough for linemen to get their hands on him, thanks to the sudden bursts he uses to get around them. Also, his instincts at the position are excellent, and when that combines with his ability to quickly explode into action, Outlaw can be extremely disruptive. The angles of pursuit he takes are usually spot-on as well, and he can accelerate well for a player his size.
Highlights
Ethan Johnson Ethan Johnson 6’0″ | 215 lbs | LB Shades Valley | 2024 State AL recorded 19 tackles, interception, fumble recovery vs Pell City. . His footwork is impeccable in multiple phases of the game. In pursuit, his feet never stop, and that is an underappreciated quality for playing on the defensive side of the ball. The guy keeps his feet active as he searches for lanes to the ball-carrier, and it keeps him balanced and ready to accelerate when he spots one. Even taking on blockers, he drives his feet to get his opponent off balance so he can disengage and get back in pursuit. In coverage, his feet once again stay active, keeping him prepared to break on the throw.
Highlights
Malcolm Simmons Malcolm Simmons 6’0″ | 165 lbs | ATH Benjamin Russell | 2024 State AL caught 7 passes for 115 yards & TD, 2-yard rushing TD, 92-yard punt return for TD vs Pelham. Simmons has incredible balance and shiftiness with the ball in his hands. He’s commonly been referred to as a human joystick, as his ability to explode in any direction and make defenders look silly is second-to-none. Simmons has excellent knee drive through defenders and can bounce of contact because of it. With his elusiveness, he can sift his way through traffic or get himself out of daunting situations involving multiple defenders. Simmons’s explosiveness translates into his route running. He’ll be able to use a crossover-style move at the top of the route, leaving defensive backs on their heels and allowing him to separate.
Shamarion Landrum Shamarion Landrum 5’11” | 185 lbs | RB Buckhorn | 2025 State AL rushed for 177 yards on 29 carries & 3 TDs, 1 reception for 19 yards vs Lee-Huntsville. Shows off exceptional burst out of cuts and can explode upfield after displacing. Has the long speed to extend runs in space and stretch the field for big plays. Flashes superb one-cut maneuverability and twitch when disrupting pursuit angles. Has quick-working vision on the front side of zone runs and efficiently works upfield. Can identify space in his peripheral vision, bouncing outside when interior gaps collapse. Very good at keeping pressure upfield while also tracking across the line to find lanes. Has the adaptability to bend outside when adjacent gaps are clogged by linebackers. Processes angles with quickness and proficiency in space and capitalizes with agility.
Highlights
Carlton Duncan
Carlton Duncan
Carlton Duncan recorded 8 tackles, 2 interceptions vs Mountain Brook. Extremely explosive, amped-up athlete who moves with bristling, unyielding energy. Moves with torrid foot speed, suddenness, and jaw-dropping reactionary athleticism. Versatility, high-energy motion, and pass-rush ability make him a formation wild card. Has the speed to blanket tight ends, close gaps in pursuit, and chase to the boundary. Able to get ahead of pulling blockers and roll his hips to preserve pursuit angles. Carries menacing force into head-on tackles and uses his twitch to square up runners. Has shown he can wrap up ball carriers while leading with his shoulder and going low. Able to quickly identify run directions and flow to gaps by diagnosing leading blockers. Can quickly recognize screen formations out of the overhang slot and explode downhill. Has extremely impressive gap discipline and quickness when adapting outside. Brings maniacal pass-rushing energy, rocketing through interior gaps in QB pursuit.
Boogie Harris
Boogie Harris
Boogie Harris rushed for 168 yards on 17 carries & 3 TDs vs Minor. He showed that he can easily absorb and bounce off solo hits with his tightly packed midsection. He has great long-track accelerative capacity and can be difficult to slow. Flashes the necessary foot speed to snap inside power run creases and dart upfield. He can quickly reset his feet and sustain leg churns following contact with his center of gravity. Has the grating play strength and contact balance to fight through successive tackles. He also can sift through congested areas and carve his way into space like an icebreaker. Has good long speed once he hits open space and can extend long runs. Has enough lateral agility to off-set solo defenders in space with gallop-steps. Flashes solid vision on inside zone runs and can adjust his tracking angle to follow lanes. Has shown he can quickly recognize backside lanes on counter runs off the exchange.