Stock Up Showcase, Positional Notes: Defensive Back, Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Be sure to follow me on Twitter at <a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">@BrendanScoutsNJ</a></em> <em>for the latest prospect-specific coverage both during the season and off-season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>For my complete, comprehensive coverage of this event, scroll down the bottom of this article to read more!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With much of the event's groundwork already laid, it is time to discuss who-I-saw-do-what while at Sunday's Stock Up Showcase. Below are personal scouting notes from the action I witnessed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scout's Notes: Defensive Backs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A defensive back who had a really solid performance was [player_tooltip player_id='819995' first='Nieem' last='Hardy']. Hardy hardly struggled, mostly due to how quick and light his feet were. His feet were able to move in tight spaces well and were probably the best of the group when he was in indy. Furthermore, Hardy competed every snap I saw him took. A nuance to his game is that as the ball arrives and he makes contact with the receiver, he grabs them to physically contest their body as well as their hands.... For what 2028 graduate [player_tooltip player_id='1275595' first='Manuel' last='Martinez'] currently lacks in stature, he makes up in spirit and tenacity. Similar to Hardy, Martinez had quick feet that were nimble in tight spaces. Martinez ran well with receivers of all ages and size, while using his hands well throughout the catch process. Martinez was never out of position, which allowed him to hold is own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another prospect a bit smaller in stature was [player_tooltip player_id='379045' first='Isa' last='Thomas']. Throughout his reps, Thomas did a really nice job playing through the ball and creating disruptive contact. Not lost, however, was Thomas' discipline to interfere with the intended target.... Closing out current freshman who plays more like he is a seasoned vet. [player_tooltip player_id='1236608' first='Jason' last='Louis'] as a physical, menacing presence in the secondary. Louis' physicality consistently denied receivers' an inside release, funneling them toward the boundary well. Additionally, I saw Louis do a great job of being physical all throughout the route and through the catch. Louis did an excellent job of following getting power behind his follow through swipe, breaking up several passes this way as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NJ Stock Up Showcase Tour Event Coverage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/prznj-stock-up-showcase-4-offensive-prospects-im-pumped-to-see/">Event Preview: Offensive Prospects</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/prznj-stock-up-showcase-4-defensive-prospects-im-pumped-to-see/">Event Preview: Defensive Prospects</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/immediate-reaction-to-the-prep-redzone-njs-stock-up-showcase/">Immediate Reaction</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/skills-eye-test-college-ready-bodies-from-the-stock-up-showcase-2/">College-Ready Bodies: DB, LB, WR, TE</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/skills-eye-test-college-ready-bodies-from-the-stock-up-showcase/">College-Ready Bodies: OL, DL, QB, RB</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/stock-up-showcase-standout-40s-and-broad-jumps-2/">Top Combine Scores: 40-Yard Dash, Broad Jump</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/stock-up-showcase-standout-40s-and-broad-jumps/">Top Combine Scores: Pro Agility, L-Drill</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/stock-up-showcase-positional-notes-linebackers/">Scout's Notes: Linebackers, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/stock-up-showcase-positional-notes-offensive-linemen-part-i/">Scout's Notes: Offensive Linemen, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/stock-up-showcase-positional-notes-receivers-part-i/">Scout's Notes: Wide Receivers, Part I</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->