Diamonds in the Rough- Underclassmen Catching Our Eye

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to our Diamonds in the Rough series!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're looking at some talented 2027s/2028s across the state who really impressed us with their tape!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, watch these guys' film down below- these guys are seriously talented and deserve more eyes!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1199600"],"_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-68127d070c1b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1199600' first='Jalijah' last='Rutledge'] is an impressive wide receiver out of Moody who made a huge impact for their passing attack last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rutledge is a really impressive route runner who can burn DBs all over the field. He has some great releases off the line of scrimmage and can quickly gain separation downfield to make huge plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rutledge also really impressed me with his blocking downfield- he's a physical WR who isn't afraid to make contact, and consistently helped his teammates by blocking and opening up space for them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rutledge made a ton of plays out wide last fall, ending his sophomore season with 53 receptions for 819 yards and 6 TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rutledge put together some great tape last fall you can see below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19231020/66f4d489c10ec87b1f933f84' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68127d070c379"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665748"],"_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-68127d070c3cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1665748' first='Christian' last='Bennett'] is a dominant 2028 OL prospect from Clay Chalkville who has already started to see his recruitment open up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennet is already an incredibly reliable LT for Clay Chalkville- he opens up a ton of opportunities for his teammates in the run game and provides great pass protection upfront for his QB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'3 250, Bennett already has the size and athleticism to dominate at the position. He's incredibly strong, plays with great bend and leverage, and has the power and quickness to fight off a wide variety of defensive linemen in the trenches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennett has picked up offers from UT Martin, FIU, and Troy this offseason- with his talent, that list will only continue to grow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennett has some great tape from his freshman season last fall:<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21936955/673cc1cc3b3b811a9dd21ee6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68127d070c3f1"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1658850"],"_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-68127d070c436"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1658850' first='Josiah' last='Edwards'] is a talented WR out of Bob Jones who put together an impressive sophomore season last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwards is an athletic WR who can attack and make plays at multiple levels of the field. Edwards is quick, plays with great speed, and consistently gains tons of separation underneath and downfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When he's open, Edwards has a reliable set of hands and crafty moves after the catch he uses to maximize every opportunity with the ball. I'm really impressed with how well-rounded he is, and think he has a big junior season ahead this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwards has some great tape you can see below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19617034/67f57c25142f311fe5443108' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68127d070c459"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665759"],"_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-68127d070c49b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1665759' first='Cayden' last='Hughley'] is an up-and-coming 2028 WR out of Opelika who has shown a bunch of potential on tape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hughley is a quick WR who is consistently a reliable playmaker for his team's passing game. He's fast on his feet, finds ways to get open, and can secure passes along the sideline, through coverage/contact, and in some other impressive ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hughey also brings a ton of talent to his team's special-teams unit. He's a consistent returner who puts his team in great starting field position by using his vision and speed to find the best lane available with the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hughley has some film from his freshman season down below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22342258/67d510cb0766d96c844a84f2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68127d070c4bd"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665778"],"_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-68127d070c510"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1665778' first='Kaden' last='Forrest'] is a talented sophomore OL prospect out of Daphne who has started to see his recruitment open up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forrest is a dominant RT who is a massive asset to his team's run game. He explodes off the line, plays with a ton of strength and leverage, and consistently wins at the line of scrimmage to open up huge rushing lanes for his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forrest is just as good in pass protection. He's quick on his feet and consistently walls off pass rushers on his side of the line to provide plenty of time for his QB to make decisions with the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forrest has picked up offers from Alabama A&amp;M and UAB this offseason, and with his talent, I'm sure he'll have more head his way soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forrest has some great sophomore tape you can see below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18381605/674244e42b1d32398303c6d3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68127d070c533"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->