State Playoffs Third Round – Top 5 Freshman’s to watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state playoffs third round is an exciting time for Alabama's high school football, and it's always interesting to see which young players are making an impact on the field. As we look ahead to the upcoming games, here are the top 5 freshmen to watch in the state playoffs, along with a scouting report on each player.</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":"Deacon Dyer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Corner High School","_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eARM STRENGTH - Coaches look for ease of motion in making deep/intermediate throws; trajectory and velocity of ball flight u0026amp; ability to drive the ball in bad weather: Dyer's mechanics, release combine to effectively throw a WR open u0026amp; are executed at a high level.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eACCURACY - Coaches look for ability to throw WR's open combined with a catchable ball w/proper velocity: Dyer's ability to hit the open window allowing his WR an opportunity for an easy catch and run is demonstrated on video.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSetup/Footwork - Coaches look for proper dropback steps, proper seat position of the ball, standing tall in pocket, pocket mobility, proper balance and transition including back leg follow thru for hip rotation: Dyer's posture, mechanics u0026amp; follow through are executed at a high level.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e","_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":"Marquavious McNeal","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Jacksonville High School","_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003ePhysicality: The aggressive, forceful approach a player brings to making contact and challenging opponents. McNeal is a physical disruptive player. His core explosive strength and ability to deliver in a football specific manner is at a high level. Kid will smack you!u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eVISION/REACTION: The capability to quickly recognize and read plays, then respond accordingly with the right action. McNeal demonstrates the ability to navigate the box effectively seeing full flow and hitting the open window. 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Holt plays the game at a high velocity. He has an extra gear allowing him to out run the defense. Coaches recruit u0022SPEEDu0022 all day long.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eCHANGE OF DIRECTION - The ability to quickly shift direction while maintaining balance and speed. Holt has great feet, level change of his hips and demonstrates the ability to win in space and tight quarters.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eAFTER CONTACT - A player's ability to gain yards or remain upright following a hit or tackle attempt. Holt's physical profile will deceive an opponent. 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Roberts demonstrates all of these essential RB skill set criteria at a high level.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eCollege Coaches will look for Roberts's ability to make defenders miss with a combination of great feet, patience, vision and the ability to accelerate at the opening. Roberts has high level speed, he looks as if he is playing a different speed than the defense.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eCollege Coaches will look for a 3 down back. Roberts brings high level 3rd down capabilities in the screen game, match up in the slot, with motions creating a tough defensive match up.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e","_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":"Alijah Woods","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Reeltown High School","_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eHands: Coaches look for ability to catch with hands extended away from body, proper hand positioning depending on location of throw; ability to high point the ball and proper timing of jumps u0026amp;  ability to adjust to poorly thrown balls.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRoute Running: Woods has burst coming out of breaks, sharpness of cuts, ability to perform double moves u0026amp; the ability to break cushion on comebacks u0026amp; ability to create separation.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRun After Catch: Woods also has the burst u0026amp; acceleration after securing the ball, ability to break tackles and make 1st defender miss.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655d84d2943f3"} /-->