Uncovered Gems #8 - OK Red Defense #1

Time again to look at six new players from the Ottawa Kent Red. This time around, six new defenders from Hudsonville, East Kentwood, Grand Haven, and West Ottawa!    Zeke has some solid JV tape and I think he has an opportunity to be a very good Varsity player!   His tape actually begins on offense as he takes the jet sweep into the redzone. The play after, Zeke makes a very impressive outside run stop from the safety position. That play in particular shows potential as a reactive run-stopping safety. Finally, at 1:02, Zeke is in good position for a PBU on the dig route. Just a step faster, and he could have gotten an INT.   Great foundation, good JV season, and I hope he can build off of his better highlights for a breakout Junior season.      Super solid season for Tyler. Especially if his size is accurate, he could easily be a D3 prospect this spring. Usually lining up in the interior, Tyler consistently did a good job of anchoring down and stopping inside runs. At some points, he was able to rush the passer or shed his block.   0:14 is a good highlight- showing a good balance on what looked like a cut block and making a good tackle for a minimal gain. At 0:25, Tyler quickly gets away from the block, and sacks the QB on a would-be designed run. At 1:02, Tyler anchors down, refuses to get moved, and gets in on the gang tackle.   Great all-around play. Get a little stronger, more explosive, and focus on his block shed, and Tyler will be a D3 prospect this Spring.      Austin is only a freshman yet has far better man-to-man highlights than most seniors.   Watch the play at 0:20. Great reaction time on the deep out route, and earns a PBU. Not many DBs have that good of reaction time or ball skills. Next, at 0:30, Austin shows off excellent (soft) man coverage on a 5-yard hitch, closing in quickly and forcing the PBU.   Play after play, Austin shows that he's a force to be reckoned with in the class of 2028. He could be a D1 prospect!      Short tape but a few solid plays!   Especially if his size is accurate, Ethan could be a college prospect with a couple of good offseason showings. The first play on tape shows a solid inside run stop- great patience wating for the play to develop. At 0:31, a good, high-effort outside stop.   Not too much to add- Ethan served as a solid role player for Grand Haven, and I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next season.      Ryan seemed to be a big bright spot for Grand Haven.   From the jump, Ryan has great tape. His first highlight is an excellent PBU against an out route- AMAZING job reacting so quickly and getting a hand on the football. Second highlight, Ryan had great defense on the goalline fade.   Ryan has many more good man-to-man highlights than the vast majority of players. I don't know how athletic Ryan is, and I think his hips + footwork could use some work. Regardless, Ryan could be a college prospect with good off-season showings. D3 is my gut feeling.      Man, Caleb is a physical linebacker!   Just watch his first two highlights. The first highlight shows a great QB pressure and hit off the blitz, and his second highlight shows a very good inside run stop from his off-ball position. Third, another great inside stop with a bit more physicality.   Caleb also has a few super solid plays on offense. At 0:47, Caleb does an excellent job to lay a massive hit on his defender, protecting his QB.   Physicality is so, so valuable when it comes to recruitment. I could 100% see Caleb earning D3 offers with good camp showings alongside this solid highlight tape.

Time again to look at six new players from the Ottawa Kent Red. This time around, six new defenders from Hudsonville, East Kentwood, Grand Haven, and West Ottawa!