2025 Film Evals: West Suburbs Defensive Backs Pt 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up in our evaluations of the class of 2025 are the defensive backs.&nbsp; We will take you around the state looking at all the corner backs, safeties, and slot corners across the state in the rising senior class!&nbsp; Here is <strong>2025 Film Evals: West Suburbs Defensive Backs Pt 1</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830847' first='Gavin' last='Wade'] (Naperville Central – 5'11” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wade is a physical safety that is very good vs the pass anticipating and getting his hands on balls.&nbsp; Reacts well to the ball in the air.&nbsp; Wraps up tackling in the open field and can come down and lay a thump in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='379856' first='Andrew' last='Pohlman'] (Oswego East – 6'3” 180)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pohlman is a big strong safety at 6'3" that could slide down to play some outside linebacker as well.&nbsp; Covers ground on the backend with solid range, but is at his best being aggressive in the run game.&nbsp; He takes good angles and has closing speed to the ball.&nbsp; Quick reads diagnosing the play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292111' first='Jermaine' last='Jones'] (Bolingbrook – 5'11” 180)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 5'11" corner has long arms and good athleticism.&nbsp; Solid technique with his footwork and hands.&nbsp; Good cackler that is willing to come up in the run game to tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331521' first='Grant' last='Gensler'] (Rochelle – 6'1” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very instinctual 6'1" safety that makes plays over the middle high-pointing balls in traffic.&nbsp; Breaks hard on the ball in the air to be in a position to make a play.&nbsp; Instincts and nose for the football.&nbsp; Physical tackler and is very aware of what is going on at all times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='980649' first='Jaden' last='Edwards'] (West Aurora – 6'1” 165)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwards jumped off the film when we saw him.&nbsp; This safety has great hands picking passes with ease snatching them out of the air.&nbsp; Big and electric athlete on the back end that brings range, game changing playmaking, and can also fill in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292161' first='Sean' last='Hubeny'] (Montini – 6'0” 175)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really like the range and impact playmaking that Hubeny brings to the table.&nbsp; He is a corner that brings good athleticism and had a ton of interceptions.&nbsp; Good hands not only deflecting them, but getting the turnover.&nbsp; He reads the QB's eyes so well knowing what he is going to do with the ball and takes great angles to get in position to make the play.&nbsp; Solid tackler in run game, but his value comes in his game changing coverage.<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830846' first='Mason' last='Ellens'] (Glenbard West – 5'11” 160)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Explosive kick returner that takes it to the house on numerous occasions. The strong and athletic prospect can also return punts and biggest value might come in the return game.&nbsp; As a safety he comes up in run support or short pass game as a tackler.&nbsp; Wraps up tackling low.&nbsp; Solid in coverage downfield especially coming over the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Nigel Grigsby (Oswego East – 5'11” 155)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cover corner that often plays bail coverage, but reacts so well cutting to the ball he consistently makes plays on the ball cutting to the pass.&nbsp; Recovers well downfield when he does get beat with his speed.&nbsp; Fluid athlete that is very smooth with his footwork and technique.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830850' first='Kaiser' last='Williams'] (Naperville North – 6'4” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is a versatile defender that can play as a jumbo safety at 6'4", but might project best as an OLB long term.&nbsp; Good athlete that runs well.&nbsp; Comes off the edge as a rusher being able to play up at the line.&nbsp; Effective in run support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='299531' first='Coen' last='Godenschwager'] (Downers Grove South – 6'0” 180)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was targeted 30 times on the year and only allowed 10 catches.&nbsp; Also had 2 picks and a trio of PBUs.&nbsp; Can play either slot corner or safety. Reacts well to plays going from back pedal to reacting on the ball or coverage to coming up in the run game as an aggressive tackler.&nbsp; Playmaker over the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->