Prep Redzone NC Combine: Top Defensive Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Backs </strong><br><br>25 - Ta'Shaun Walker - Clayton - At 5'9 and 150 pounds, the 2027 prospect held up well against a bevy of receivers - there were not many defensive backs in attendance, so it was a war of attrition in 1 on 1's, but Ta'Shaun held up well. I thought he had good speed, took coaching well, and has a bright future ahead of him over the next couple of years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1275577,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/PXL_20240511_204635234.MP_-crop-3264x2144-1715739898.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1275577" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><br>26 - [player_tooltip player_id='319671' first='Tyrek' last='Robinson'] - Vance County - A 5'10 and 175-pound Class of 2025 prospect, I thought Tyrek was the most complete defensive back in attendance. Tyrek showed some excellent agility and fluidity going through defensive back drills. He broke on the football well during both the individual portion and the 1 on 1 drills against wide receivers. In his highlight film, Tyrek plays both offense and defense and shows some electricity with the football in his hands. Good athlete. <br><br>18 - Damarius McKoy - Clayton - Also Fastest Man Overall - Damarius to me showed very well both at wide receiver and defensive back in this showcase. I would probably rank him as one of the top overall athletes in attendance. With excellent speed and agility, Damarius also showed very good ball skills on both sides of the football. Damarius is a Class of 2025 prospect who should generate some collegiate interest with a strong summer on the camp circuit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1275579,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/PXL_20240511_205337005-crop-3264x2144-1715740397.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1275579" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Line</strong> <br><br>12 - [player_tooltip player_id='1219063' first='Zion' last='Morrison'] - Scotland - I was impressed with Zion coming into the combine, and I walked away even more impressed leaving the combine. The 6'4 Class of 2025 prospect is an excellent pass rusher, showing a bevy of moves against offensive linemen coming off the edge during the 1 on 1 portion of the showcase. With an offer from Howard already in hand, I think Zion can pick up a couple of more offers with a strong performance during the summer camp season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1275581,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/PXL_20240511_204904608.MP_-crop-2730x1793-1715740677.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1275581" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>51 - [player_tooltip player_id='1127739' first='Jadon' last='Best'] - Aycock - Another player I was excited to see coming into the combine did not disappoint. Jadon has performed well this offseason in various showcases, and it's because he moves very well overall for his size - at 6'1 and 305 pounds, Jadon uses his hands well to shed blocks and shoot gaps against opposing offensive linemen. Jadon has college interest from several schools, and I expect that continue throughout the upcoming camp season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1275584,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/PXL_20240511_204914665.MP_-crop-3264x2144-1715741198.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1275584" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>46 - Bradley Chapman - South Central - The 6'0 and 270-pound Class of 2025 prospect was probably the strongest player at the combine, pound for pound. Bradley showed a couple of impressive power-based pass rush moves against offensive linemen during 1 on 1's that stuck out in my mind in particular. Bradley has some college interest currently, and I think with these kind of performances during the upcoming camp season, should generate more interest going into his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1275593,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/PXL_20240511_204924084.MP_-crop-3264x2144-1715741453.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1275593" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebackers </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2 - [player_tooltip player_id='1153173' first='Jaylen' last='Starks'] - Orange - I really liked Jaylen's aggressiveness going through linebacker individual drills. It is apparent that he likes to come downhill and close windows and be physical at the point of attack. I thought Gabe showed enough speed in the open field to where he could cover tight ends and running backs in short spaces and be able to more than hold his own. At 6'1 and 200 pounds, Jaylen had 90 tackles last season and was an All-Conference player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1275600,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/PXL_20240511_205045220.MP_-crop-2747x1804-1715741951.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1275600" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>20 - Anoop Monroe - Northside - Overall, Anoop being a younger player did well here at this combine. At 5'8, Anoop probably projects to be a combo outside linebacker/strong safety type of player in his future. The good thing I really liked about him was his speed and athleticism in the open field - Anoop looked good in both individual drills and 1 on 1 drills reacting to running back moves in the run game and passing game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1275602,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/PXL_20240511_205055476.MP_-crop-2617x1719-1715742179.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1275602" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>5 - [player_tooltip player_id='1129856' first='Jackson' last='Bordelon'] - Fuquay-Varina - A Class of 2026 prospect standing at 6'0 and 190 pounds, Jackson did well executing linebacker drills during the position individuals portion of the combine. Noting his Twitter profile, he has a 4.375 GPA which is a reflection of how well he took coaching when he did need to adjust doing something in coverage or tracking running backs during the 1 on 1 portion of the showcase. I am excited how Jackson performs going into a big junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1275606,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/PXL_20240511_205107608.MP_-crop-2586x1698-1715742665.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1275606" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->