Film Room: Analyzing 2025 Skill Players
As I comb through more film submissions, I decided to take a look at the 2025 class and dig into some impressive skill players who pop on tape. All of these guys have big senior seasons ahead of them, so…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs I comb through more film submissions, I decided to take a look at the 2025 class and dig into some impressive skill players who pop on tape. All of these guys have big senior seasons ahead of them, so watch out.
- t
- 6’1 175. Possesses ideal length at CB.
- His length in coverage is the basis of intrigue. As long as he can stay close to receivers in coverage, he has a chance to poke at the catch pocket. Clouds passing lanes in zone coverage.
- Still refining his footwork, but is fluid in the hips and possesses the straight line speed to run with WRs.
- Looks at his best in press coverage where he can disrupt timing at the line and push WRs against the sidelines with his frame.
- Is tough to throw over when locked at the hip of WRs.
- When coming downhill, he presses blockers with his arms and keeps feet firing to shed blocks. Doesn’t hesitate when going for the tackle.
Evan Wayland
Evan Wayland
- t
- Stout 5’11 175.
- Plays outside at corner, but his frame and playstyle might translate best to the nickel spot.
- Pesky in coverage and has decent recovery speed. At the point of attack, he gets his hands up and battles through the hands of the WR.
- He is better playing off-man coverage as he makes plays on in-breaking routes better. Is naturally a downhill player and reacts at the top of the route well.
- Stays physical when in phase with WRs. Steadily works receivers off their route and gets them off balanced.
- Physical, smooth tackler. Fights through blocks and strikes with good pad level.
- Excellent pursuit skills. Can fly sideline to sideline after the football.
Carrington Coombs
Carrington Coombs
- t
- Well-developed, lean, proportional 6’3 230. Still has room to develop, but already has good muscle mass.
- Initially a WR eval, but looks to have settled into an OLB role.
- Possesses excellent explosiveness off the snap. WR experience should help him create deception against blockers the same way he did against DBs.
- Super slick and instantly gets up to his top speed off the line. This allows him to work into the backfield often without getting touched.
- Can convert speed to power. Keeps feet moving, fights with hands, presses, and absorbs contact well.
- Can play as an off-ball LB too. Speed allows him to patrol a lot of grass in coverage. His pursuit skills translate when he fires at the line as a blitzer.
- Elite closing speed to the football. Violent pursuer.
Carter Triplett
Carter Triplett
- t
- Thick bodied, broad shouldered 6’4 215.
- Hard to bring down in pocket. Can shrug off tackling attempts and is sudden enough to slip through gaps.
- Can sometimes appear a bit clumsy when escaping from pressure, but he recovers nicely and actually has some good speed when his stride opens up. Can be a physical force as a runner.
- Not a super fluid thrower in his hips, but he generates plenty of power on his throws with just the touch of his wrist. Can adjust his arm angle to make different throws.
- When out on the move, he does a good job of pinpointing open receivers and can confidently deliver across his body.
- Ball buzzes out of his hand without much effort. Can attack all levels of field.
JJ Willingham
JJ Willingham
- t
- Super lanky 6’2 175. Has noticeable room for positive weight addition.
- Plays as a hybrid safety and LB, but likely projects as a safety.
- Possesses an overall decent athletic profile with solid speed, but relies on his instincts to get in position to make plays.
- A disciplined pursuer of the football. Settles down and mirrors the ball carrier to make a form tackle instead of flying by.
- Doesn’t have the size to consistently work off climbing blockers, but can out-leverage them and slip by without being touched.
- Attaches to WRs at the top of their routes and can remain in phase. Is hard to throw over when his hands are up.