Uncovered Gems #1 – Capital Blue 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the next few days, I will be writing about 30 unranked players from the Capital Area Blue League. It was a long season, and through September - November, a ton of players became prospects. Today, I'll be going over six brand-new players who have college upside! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ALL six of these players will be included in the February Rankings updates! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1425654"],"_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-67584c99675a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucas has some solid defensive highlights from this season. Most of his tape is built off of run stops, alongside one good PBU at 0:50. The very next play, Lucas does a nice job of getting off a block and making the tackle. All in all, it looks like Lucas had a solid junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving forward, I'd really love to see Lucas up the intensity. Right when he diagnoses a run, Lucas should be sprinting toward the ballcarrier. If anyone gets in his way, he's got to be physical. Too many plays (like 1:06) Lucas reacts extremely late to the run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18903449/6720f4c7ab5e124bb28013a3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67584c99675c1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1576980"],"_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-67584c9967796"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lavaunte could be the next great player at Lansing Everett. The tape below only includes two games (East Lansing and Okemos), but he has great highlights in both games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a speed-in-space player. The first couple of highlights flash great vision and speed. I'm especially intrigued by the highlight at 0:42. Although I don't love his vision on that play, I 100% see the athleticism and overall upside. LOVE the potential from Lavaunte. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23068692/67297bd8bf323254c18845d3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67584c99677b2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1551597"],"_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-67584c99677e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ashton had plenty of highlights at LB this season! Right now, I can only see midseason highlights put up, but there are some great moments through just a few games worth of plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All in all, Ashton is a solid between-the-tackles run-stopper. I like that he stands strong in the running lanes, and meets the RB usually for a short gain. I also really like the play at 2:45 where Ashton laid a GREAT hit on the quarterback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That said, I'd love to see more physical plays like the one at 2:45. Pretty often, Ashton is in great position for a tackle, but doesn't drive through the tackle like he should. This allows the RB to gain quite a few extra yards. Listen, I really like the foundation, and Ashton could easily grow into a college prospect in a year's time! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16915596/66f970c36a511cccd2a43e6e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67584c9967804"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1576997"],"_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-67584c9967984"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Man! Weston has some good highlights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a shorter offensive tackle/guard, but he's still just as productive as someone who's 6'4". At 0:17 and MANY other times, Weston pulls extremely quickly and executes an excellent lead block. Super impressed with how efficiently he pulls. On top of that, Weston does a solid job on his other run blocks. Solid footwork. Solid power. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weston will, unfortunately, have a more significant hill to climb when it comes to being recruited because of his height. If he performs well at offseason camps, Weston could earn a DIII scholarship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19570071/671dcf280d05f27b61312bb8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675871bfc0871"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1577142"],"_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-675871bfc2287"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Love to see a great special teamer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Julian's tape consists of a ton of punts, in addition to a few field goals and kickoffs. I'm especially impressed with his punting. Julian rolls out to either the right or left, allowing his coverage team to get a little further downfield before he kicks it. Speaking of the kicks, Julian has solid power. Much of the time, Julian's punts have a lower arc, but take GREAT bounces. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's also a solid kicker. A few good shorter-yardage field goals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep at it, and Julian could find himself a scholarship! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18823777/671e84180f40bd6948780d88' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675871bfc22c1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1577144"],"_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-675871bfc230c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It doesn't look like Marshaun has a full-year highlight tape yet, but his week 7-8 tape is more than enough to write about. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshaun is an "elusive" back through and through. He makes his best plays when given open space to work with. At 0:17, Marshaun finds the edge and is able to get extremely close to the 1st-down marker. At 0:37, Marshaun does a great job following his blocks (counter) and nearly makes a man miss at the end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has a very good foundation, but a running back would typically need a bit better contact balance and elusiveness in order to be recruited. Either way, I could easily see Marshaun eventually earn college offers after an amazing offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18435146/67144f43e5552f6c6688e9d6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675871bfc2330"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->