Week 7 Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to mastering the basics of defensive performance like alignment, assignment, visual keys and technical execution, there is simply no substitute for repetitions--both in controlled drill work and live game contexts--as prospects work to maximize their talents. Perhaps that might help account for the fact that many of the top defensive performances this week all seem to come from senior athletes with multiple years of experience helping to inform and elevate their development. Whether mastering the finer points of defense as a down lineman, a linebacker, an edge defender or defensive back, those invaluable experiences that can be afforded only by time and repetitions remain essential to these senior competitors meeting their full performance potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Harrison Callahan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Kentucky Country Day","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Aligning as a 4-technique defensive lineman in the Bearcats' 3-4 front, Callahan was exceptionally active in his squad's big 19-16 district win over Louisville Holy Cross, racking up 7 solo tackles, 5 assists and 0.5 sacks for the 7th-ranked team defense in Class A. A 6'0u0022 270 pounder with a quick, powerful blow delivery, emerging separation skills that enable him to escape from blockers and excellent pursuit speed, he currently ranks third among Bearcat defenders with 22 solo tackles, 18 assists, 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. The fifth-leading tackler for his team's defensive unit last fall, he currently is on pace to surpass all of his prior production numbers this season and has been a disruptive interior presence that has helped fuel KCD's 7-0 start.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Jackson Damron","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Scott County","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Currently the Cardinals' second leading tackler from his safety position, Damron often employs a shallow alignment versus tighter, more compact sets and instantaneously reacts to run keys as a downhill alley filler and fundamentally sound, leveraged tackler. In his squad's most recent 43-14 road win at South Oldham, he compiled 8 solo tackles, 6 assists and 1 tackle for loss versus the Dragons' run-heavy offensive attack, elevating his season totals to 28 solos, 21 assists, 4 tackles for loss, 3 fumble recoveries and 1 interception. Finishing last season as the 4th-leading tackler on Scott County's 11-2 regional finalist squad, he demonstrates the physicality, athleticism and technical prowess to project favorably as a strong safety or nickel defender at the next level and possesses the ball skills to impact outcomes in critical situations.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["460597"],"_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":"A tall, long and athletic edge rusher with an exceptionally high developmental ceiling, Griffin was an incessant source of defensive disruption for his 7-0 Flyers in their thrilling 29-28 road victory at highly regarded Southwestern. On the way to collecting 11 stops on the evening (7 solos, 4 assists), he generated 5 tackles for loss in allu002du002d3 of them sacks. As impressive as those numbers might appear, they actually represent a relatively average night of high production for Griffin, who employs an explosive takeoff from his stance, consistent separation skills and exceptional speed to continually pester any and all occupants of opposing backfields. Despite missing two full games this season, he remains the team's #3 tackler with 36 total stops, 15 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, currently placing him #3 among sack leaders in Class AAAA and #4 statewide. Unquestionably at his best when asked to align loosely off the frame of opposing offensive tackles and/or defeat blocks in space, his contributions as both an edge defender and pass rusher have helped the Flyers' attain the #2 pass defense and the #4 scoring defense in Class AAAA.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Logan Hall","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Union County","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"After completing his junior season as a starting offensive lineman and part-time defensive contributor for the 12-1 regional finalist Braves, Hall has added starting defensive linemen to his roles this fall, and has blossomed into an explosive, high-motor and inspirational stopper for his 8-0 Braves. In their recent 48-20 win at Hancock County, his 5 solo tackles, 12 assists and 2 tackles for loss helped give his offense the possessions needed to pull away from those pesky Hornets on the road and established his Union County squad among the top rushing and scoring defenses in Class AAA. Currently their 3rd-leading tackler with 16 solos, 48 assists and 8.5 tackles for loss, his ability to close spaces quickly and make explosive, secure tackles in space make him a promising special teams prospect at the next level.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["438173"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Our scouts have long confirmed and lauded Rice's talents and accomplishments, but it certainly never hurts to simply confirm that yep, he is still doing what he does so wellu002du002dlikely better than everu002du002das he approaches the playoffs of his senior season. In the Colonels' 42-15 district road win, he generated 18 total stops (8 solo tackles, 10 assists) and 1 tackle for loss, limiting the Cougars' offense to 88 net yards rushing on 34 carries. Currently the #1 tackler in Class AAAAA and statewide with an average of 16.0 tackles per game, his 10 total sacks also lead all Class AAAAA defenders and rank 2nd statewide. Equally adept playing up, off the edge or placing his hand on the ground, Rice is an explosive, athletic and technically proficient competitor with the tools to play at least three different defensive positions at the next level. A firm commit to Miami (OH), his recent levels of play/production might naturally attract interested inquiries from additional programs.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6525bfd56b910"} /-->