VTO Elite 100 Combine: Top Defensive Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The VTO Elite 100 Combine was held at Johnson C. Smith University this past Sunday, March 2nd. Over 100 high school and middle school athletes competed in the weight room and on the football field, and several standout players were named. We will break down some of the defensive players selected in this article.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Defensive Linemen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1671961' first='Tyler' last='Bennett'] - Mallard Creek - 2026<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1669957' first='Jack' last='Nelin'] - Mooresville - 2026<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1623018' first='Kai' last='Phinazee'] - Forest Hills -2027 - MVP<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1760632' first='Jacob' last='Banks'] - Harding - 2026<br>Zaidyn Brodie - North Meck - 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Defensive Backs </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1426855' first='Gavin' last='Gibson'] - Independence - 2026 - MVP<br>Cornell Dunham II - Palisades - 2028<br>Enijahe Whitworth - Cherryville - 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Linebackers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dewayne Davis - North Gaston - 2025<br>Kaleb Cullingford - West Stanly - 2026<br>Sam Yarbrough - West Stanly - 2026 - MVP<br>Carter Yow - West Stanly - 2026<br>Zaire Crommarty - Independence - 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a detailed look at the MVP selections now!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1623018"],"_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-67c904835f751"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I spent a good bit of time watching the OL vs DL portion of this camp, and I loved Kai's motor all day long. With a good get-off at the snap, Kai worked a couple of different pass rush moves in 1 on 1's, which I love seeing as the bull rush isn't really a good measure of skill in this setting. Forest Hills has consistently produced talented players over the last few years, and it looks like Kai is going to continue the trend for the Yellow Jackets. He will definitely be in consideration to be ranked in our next update with this combine performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1426855"],"_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-67c904835f7bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gavin was easily the best defensive back in attendance here in my opinion. In the majority of the 1 on 1 reps I saw with him, Gavin showed good patience and didn't panic on a variety of routes in coverage. I liked Gavin's footwork and he showed a good explosion coming out of his backpedal in coverage. Gavin also showed some good speed and nice technique in his 40-timed reps and on the 5-10-5 shuttle run drills. We had him on the wait list wanting to see more from him, and he will be in consideration to be added to our rankings in the next update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sam Yarbrough","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"West Stanly","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c904835f865"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I think Sam did a good job overall in everything he did at the combine. Sam wasn't a flashy player, but he was effective in his 1 on 1 coverage, showed good instincts in the running back/linebacker run drills, and did a good job during individuals, showing good lateral movement and taking coaching well. West Stanly is a young program overall, but they have a bevy of talent that will grow together and take a step next season. Sam showed good leadership traits and he'll be a player they can count on moving forward for sure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->