Under The Radar 2025 Prospects: Defense

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Taking a look at some of the underrecruited 2025 defensive prospects.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["723751"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667554e1c78a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">High level coverage instincts and reactionary quickness for the 5'10” 165 lbs. corner that transferred to Upland from Chino Hills. He's a quick twitch athlete that can flip his hips and change directions. Plays well matching up in press man and staying in phase using his speed and lateral agility. Looks good covering the deep ball flashing plus ball judgement skills and tracking ability. Like how he plays through the hands with good timing at the catch point. Extremely active defender that also plays the run well showing he can break down in space and deliver strong contact. He's one of the top DB prospects in the state without an offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ChaseMenefee/status/1719360237453684999","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChaseMenefee/status/1719360237453684999 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["723867"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667554e1c78fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McClay has been flying under the recruiting radar even since his initial offer from Northern Arizona in May. At 6'0” 175 lbs. he's a competitor that plays well with his eyes and processes his reads quickly to get an early break on the ball. He sees the field and can anticipate to put himself in position to make explosive plays and be a difference maker on defense. Like his acceleration into his break to close space on the ball. Equally effective in both coverage and run support coming downhill from his safety position. Delivers solid contact and wraps up to the ground. Finished the 2023 season with 53 tackles, seven TFL, and four interceptions. Skillset and ability warrant more recruiting attention than what he's got to date.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KeontaeMcc1ay/status/1793687098899517639","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KeontaeMcc1ay/status/1793687098899517639 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["282779"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667554e1c7940"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Versatile defender whose skillset transfers to multiple positions on the defensive side. Shows good ability as a run stopper, edge rusher, and zone cover guy. Uses his lateral agility and short area burst to redirect and make plays sideline to sideline. Speed allows him to chase down from the back side and to the perimeter. Plays downhill and attacks ball carriers in pursuit finishing through contact at the POA. Does a good job using his hands to maintain separation and then shed blockers. Three sport athlete (football/wrestling/rugby) that racked up over 100 tackles at Warren before transferring to St. John Bosco for his senior year. Picked up his initial offer from HBCU Langston several weeks ago and will one to watch at one of the top programs in the country.<br><br><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JojoEdwardss/status/1799168608301682829","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JojoEdwardss/status/1799168608301682829 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["406727"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667554e1c7982"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Good size, weight, and frame for a college level DT/NG. At 6'2” 300 lbs. he can anchor the interior and eat up space. Possesses two gap ability and uses his natural strength/power to fight off double teams or neutralize a blocker. Heavy punch at initial contact to stop and stack blockers. Flashes functional mobility and movement skills in the short area to chase the ball carrier. Gains quick penetration out of his stance to disrupt plays as they develop. Great run stopper but shows he can rush the passer by driving blockers back to collapse the pocket. He's a mauling body tackler that is tough to break once he gets his hands on the ball carrier. Has performed well in the camp circuit including being a top performer at the National Preps showcase. Should see more college attention going into his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Shondrick90/status/1729599939070816353","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Shondrick90/status/1729599939070816353 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->