2024 Season Preview: Breakout DL, LB, DB & ATH

<p>The 2024 season in the Natural State is just days away with Week Zero. Prep Redzone conducts thorough research and evaluation to uncover under-the-radar athletes poised to impact the upcoming season. That said, here are eight total prospects from the defensive line, linebacker, and defensive back positions, along with ATH that play multiple. I expect these athletes to have a breakout season that catches the eye of college coaches and recruiters even more.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Linemen:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='259110' first='Peyton' last='Adams'] has a solid mix of power and quickness in the trenches. Adams displays good explosion off the line of scrimmage with good pad level, hand placement, and lower body power to disengage from the block and make a play in the backfield or at the LOS. He has good foot quickness and lateral agility to stay down the LOS with good awareness, putting himself in a position to chase down zone runs. Strong lower body and the ability to extend to drive back the opposition to create pressure. He's a two-gap penetrator who can dominate at the 0-3 tech.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi Position Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PeytonA65/status/1729323986872307980 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1235913' first='Quistavionne' last='Jones'] is another two-gap penetrator with power and strength in the trenches. Jones displays solid quickness off the line of scrimmage with solid pad level, UOH, and lower body power to disengage from the block or drive the OL back and make a play in the backfield or at the LOS. Strong lower body and the ability to extend to drive back the opposition to create pressure. He can play the 0-3 Tech. </p>   <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/yvngquist07 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Linebackers:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1407566' first='Ethan' last='Lawrence'] is a physical linebacker with solid awareness in the second level. He displays solid read-and-react ability, allowing him to attack downhill vs. the run quickly with good angles. Lawrence plays relentlessly and can chase down ball carriers from behind, making a consistent impact. </p>   <p>Note - 3.8 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Ethan72472376/status/1707994847498412341 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1206731' first='Kaleb' last='Stancil'] is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who showcases his impressive motor with good pursuit. He has a quick first step to read and react and then instantly attacks the football with good angles. Stancil displays a good change of direction in coverage with awareness and knows how to fill gaps with quickness and physicality while staying square. He demonstrates good technique and consistency while tackling in space.</p>   <p>Note - 4.75 40</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Kaleb_Stancil/status/1827506883655033212 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Backs:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1407604' first='Will' last='Evans'] is a physical safety with good awareness in the backend. Evans displays a sideline-to-sideline motor with a good read and reacts ability to attack downhill vs. the run or arrive over the top of a route and force a PBU. In pursuit, he showcases good angles and techniques to make a tackle in space. He is someone to watch in 2024. </p>   <p>Note - Multi Sport Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/WillE1325/status/1729890407159341198 </div></figure>     <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1293367' first='Jeremiah' last='Adaway'] is a physical defensive back on the boundary who plays with a high motor. Adaway displays good read and react ability, allowing him to attack downhill vs. the run or break on top of a route to force a PBU or INT. He doesn't allow much separation off breaks due to solid fluidity, good change of direction, balance, and burst to stay inside the hip pocket. Showcases that ability to make tackles in space. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Offer List: Alcorn State, Central Arkansas, Henderson State, Northwest Missouri State & Ouachita Baptist</em></p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.6 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jeremiah_Adaway/status/1782833612024369286 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">ATH:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='250021' first='Tony' last='Wilkins'] is a vertical threat who can stretch the field and create opportunities for other players. Wilkins exhibits good acceleration on his release with good foot quickness to eat up space quickly. He has good fluidity, body control, and movement, allowing him to consistently create separation at his breaks and accelerate upfield after the catch. Good hand-eye coordination, with strong hands and focus, enabling him to secure catches in contest or adjust mid-route. Wilkins has the versatility to enhance any offensive scheme, capable of playing at the X, Z, or slot positions. On defense, as a Safety, he displays good read-and-react skills and impressive downhill pursuit, attributed to his good angles, quick feet, change of direction, and lateral agility to navigate through zones.</p>   <p><em>Offer List: Arkansas Baptist, Bethel College & Lyon</em></p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.5 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TonyW2025/status/1827402617309241661 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1247572' first='Roochie' last='Wiley'] is a versatile prospect due to his ability to play wide receiver, defensive back, and special teams at a high level. Wiley displays good fluidity in the hips to be able to transition to cover. Good read and react ability to make a play on the ball instantly. He stays inside the hip pocket, not allowing any room for separation off breaks due to good COD, balance, and burst. Good speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball, displaying smooth route running and good hand-eye coordination to adjust mid-route if needed. He can create separation off of his breaks as well, giving his quarterback a window.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi Sport Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Roochie_14/status/1810365527858036788 </div></figure>

The 2024 season in the Natural State is just days away with Week Zero. Prep Redzone conducts thorough research and evaluation to uncover under-the-radar athletes poised to impact the upcoming season. That said, here are eight total prospects from the defensive line, linebacker, and defensive back positions, along with ATH that play multiple. I expect these athletes to have a breakout season that catches the eye of college coaches and recruiters even more.