Prep Redzone NEXT East Camp Standouts: 2029 Defenders

Sunday in Fort Mill, South Carolina, 43 top middle schoolers competed in out PRZ Next East Camp and I came away impressed. As a high school scout, I'm always looking at the type of high school potential these players have. If they were going to play on my team in the future, how would I utilize their strengths. And since they're not at the high school level yet, what would I want them to work on while they're still in middle school before getting to the high school level.   In that way, I was incredibly impressed with this group and though the overall number of defenders was low, the players learned a lot and got plenty of quality reps. Here are the 2029 defenders who impressed me on Sunday.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 2029 Defenders at the PRZ Next East Camp</h2>    Brown is a smaller defensive lineman who has time to grow a bit, and right now, he has a strong set of pass-rushing moves. He ran a 5.12 40-time, which was the best of any of the front seven defenders. I watched him absorb the teaching of the coaches and he looks like a selfless, coachable kid who could really make some noise in the next few years. He's athletic enough and has a high-enough football I.Q. to adjust to new schemes or even a new position as his body develops.     Newsome really impressed me from the jump. One of the first players to run the 40, he set the pace with a blazing 4.7. I have high schoolers in my coverage area that are balling out at his size and speed and he has a frame to suggest he's only going to get bigger and faster. He stood out in drills and took to the teaching well. His footwork and hips were natural, something I love to see from defensive backs.     Our defensive back MVP from the day, Gibson looks like he could suit up and play for Tom Knotts and Dutch Fork High School tomorrow. Gibson has the length and athleticism that immediately alerts you to his upside as a potentially elite corner. His movement skills are excellent and he has great ball skills as well. As he continues to hone his craft, he's a candidate to play early in high school.     Holley was one of the top linebackers and already looks formidable, with good height and a frame to add more weight. Holley was one of the more aggressive linebackers you'll see, having to be reigned in a bit on one of the drills about patience. I LOVED that. You could tell that while he excelled in a camp setting, he'd rather be out in full pads hitting people. That's what I want in a linebacker and the patience will come. It's a coach's job to preach patience, it's a player's job to play fast and downhill. Holley can do all of that.     Cull has the frame and athleticism to grow into a standout edge rusher at the high school level. His pass-rushing technique was excellent and his balance and footwork impressed me as well. He seemed to take well to the coaching and looks like a guy who could contribute for Wando High earlier rather than later. As he continues to grow, he's going to get better and better.

Sunday in Fort Mill, South Carolina, 43 top middle schoolers competed in out PRZ Next East Camp and I came away impressed. As a high school scout, I'm always looking at the type of high school potential these players have. If they were going to play on my team in the future, how would I utilize their strengths. And since they're not at the high school level yet, what would I want them to work on while they're still in middle school before getting to the high school level.