Defensive MVPs from the Prep Redzone NJ Stock Up Showcase
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Yesterday could be summed up in one word: awesome. In my time with Prep Redzone NJ this was by far the best event we have put on. Roughly 15 college coaches were in attendance, prospects competed, and – most importantly…
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Continue ReadingYesterday could be summed up in one word: awesome. In my time with Prep Redzone NJ this was by far the best event we have put on. Roughly 15 college coaches were in attendance, prospects competed, and – most importantly – those prospects gardener up collegiate interest.
With much talent, I want to dive right into our offensive MVPs.
Defensive Backs
Although I unfortunately missed the combine portion of the showcase, as soon as I walked in my fellow scout had bib #90 circled on his roster and informed me that this kid murdered the combine. McDougald is his name and this kid could move. One of the first players I watched for, McDougald’s hips are as automatic as a high-velocity blender. He was able to flip his hips both quickly and violently – even when his position coach challenged him with a fast pace hip flip drill. The thing about this, however, was how effortlessly McDougald made it look. When reacting to the ball the Elizabeth standout was able to get down hill in a hurry and had sure hands, never dropping an interception. When in competition, McDougald was not faked out by a double move and stuck with the receiver the entire time. It appears that he also knows how to use his hands when playing a defender without drawing, what I would consider, a penalty. McDougald, a safety, also practiced great discretion and discipline when picking-and-choosing when to undercut a route to defend the pass.
Highlights
Linebackers
Kramer might have been the head-and-shoulders above everyone else MVP at his linebacker group. During the agility part of Indy, Kramer demonstrated outstanding hips for the linebacker position. He was able to turn them quickly, allowing him to open up and run in that direction in order to get to his drop spot. He was also fast in getting to that spot and also closing ground on runners. Anything short and intermediate he was able to stick running backs without much issue and was able to run and cover deep routes against most of the tailbacks in attendance.
Defensive Line
The only NJSIAA State Champion to be named an MVP at the showcase, Edwards showed us that the talent pipeline is far from baron for Bergen Catholic. A prospect that the coaches could not stop talking about, Edwards was one of the most consistent performers as he won nearly every matchup. He possesses twitchiness that allows him to snap his hips around defenders and change directions; while he has great reaction time as evidenced by him having one of the most consistent, quickest get offs at the showcase. During the competition phase I can say that Edwards always pass rushed with a plan in mind. On each rep he had an idea as to what he was going to do and what counter he would resort to his his first move was stifled. One particular rep I saw Edwards take he read the offensive lineman’s hands set and reacted appropriately with a powerful, downward, double-arm chop as he turned the corner for the easy win.