Underrated Defenders to Watch: Round Three
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It is peak high school football season in Nevada tonight with several league championship games set to take place. I believe I have identified several defenders who have gone under the radar throughout the regular season. Below, I highlight five…
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Continue ReadingIt is peak high school football season in Nevada tonight with several league championship games set to take place. I believe I have identified several defenders who have gone under the radar throughout the regular season. Below, I highlight five specific defenders whose postseason play is bound to boost their stock.
Caden Bridgewater Caden Bridgewater 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Legacy | 2025 State NV
Caden Bridgewater Caden Bridgewater 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Legacy | 2025 State NV
Caden Bridgewater Caden Bridgewater 5’11” | 175 lbs | DB Legacy | 2025 State NV is a rising defensive back out of Las Vegas. He has been to a UNLV camp in the past, but I am surprised to see him receive so little attention from schools in the region. Expect Caden’s recruitment to heat up before his senior year gets here. Good quickness and a fast change of direction displayed in man coverage highlights Caden’s potential to be a versatile linebacker in passing situations. Caden’s good instincts and awareness shows decisively attacking screens and underneath routes when playing off coverage. Good strength shows ripping the ball away from receivers at the catchpoint, while Caden’s next level long speed gets displayed returning interceptions for touchdowns with ease.
Colson Kermode Colson Kermode 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Galena | 2025 State NV
Colson Kermode Colson Kermode 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Galena | 2025 State NV
Colson Kermode Colson Kermode 6’2″ | 190 lbs | ATH Galena | 2025 State NV is one of the most talented two-way prospects in Reno. Colton has a chance to be a versatile linebacker at the next level. He has received interest from the University of Nevada, and I would not be surprised to see more schools surrounding Reno recruit Colson before his senior season gets here. Colson shows good power upon contact and next level strength driving bigger ball carriers backwards when finishing tackles. Quick feet and an athletic change of direction gets displayed mirroring ball carriers in space. A good combination of instincts and acceleration shows quickly filling in the run game from a free safety alignment.
Zachary Young
Zachary Young
Zachary Young is at the forefront of a talented Lake Mead defense. Expect schools to come in late to the good-sized LB’s recruitment once Lake Mead’s playoff run has finished. Good strength and closing speed gets displayed when Zachary disrupts running plays when pursuing from the backside. Good awareness and athleticism shows quickly changing direction and finding work outside of his zone in pass coverage. Zachary’s next level combination of power, size, and tackling ability highlights why coaches are recruiting him to be a true MIKE linebacker in college.
Cole Smalley is a top uncommitted senior linebacker in Nevada. The Reno product has received interest from the University of Nevada this fall. He received an offer from Cornell in May, and I would not be surprised to see schools closer to home offer him before 2024 gets here. Good size, power, and closing speed gets displayed when Cole drops ball carriers in the open field. Cole’s good instincts and next level strength shows running through blocks and decisively attacking the line of scrimmage in run defense.