Evaluating prospects from The First State: 3A standouts – Pt. 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone's Ed O'Brien looks at some of the standout players in Delaware high school football's 3A classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1611600"],"_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-6820da8099dc1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1611600' first='Justin' last='McGill'] is a disruptive force in the middle. He's quick off the ball and wastes no time getting into the backfield. McGill's hands are active and violent. He knows how to keep blockers off him and doesn't stay blocked for long. McGill's highlights show a great mix of moves, especially his swim and counter techniques.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another thing that stands out most about McGill is his motor. He plays every snap like it matters, chases plays down, and never gives up. He's got strong upper-body power and agile feet for a guy his size. He doesn't just bull rush; MGrill also wins with skill and timing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's undersized at 6 feet for a defensive tackle. Against bigger, longer offensive linemen, he might have to fight harder for leverage. Still, the tools are there. He's explosive, aggressive, and coachable. McGill will be a real problem for the offensive linemen he will face this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note: He attends Salesianum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401354"],"_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-6820da8099e2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Neil Rose is a classic space-eating nose tackle. He's big, strong, and tough to move off the line. At 6-0, 295 pounds, he holds his ground well and doesn't get pushed around. Rose is stout at the point of attack and shows real strength against the run. You can see the power in his game in highlights, where he absorbs double teams and still manages to clog up running lanes. Rose plays with a broad base and solid leverage, which helps him control the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rose is not flashy, but he's effective. His highlights show multiple tackles for loss, especially when he lines up at nose guard and gets that inside push. Rose is a dependable run-stopper who plays with toughness and effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Where Rose needs work is in his quickness and short-area burst. He's not as twitchy off the snap, and you don't see a lot of pass-rush production yet. That is how he's used, but it's something to watch. If Rose can improve his explosion and develop more pass-rush tools, he could become a more complete interior lineman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note: He attends Middletown High School. </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":"Ryan Perkins","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"235","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"5926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dover","_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-6820da8099ee6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ryan Perkins is a physical, high-effort edge defender with a strong, compact frame. He plays with good leverage at 6-0 235 pounds and holds his ground well against both the run and the pass. Perkins shows solid power in his rush and doesn't get easily washed out. You can tell Perkins is disciplined and plays with control. He sets the edge and wraps up nicely as a tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of Perkins' strengths is his secondary effort. He may not win immediately, but he keeps working and often finds a way to pressure the quarterback late in the play. His thick lower body gives him a sturdy base, and he knows how to use it to anchor against blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He can improve by being more explosive at the point of attack. At the next level, Perkins might be more suited for the inside, where he could unlock more potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1611723"],"_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-6820da8099f3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mekhi Smith is an explosive, high-motor defensive lineman with a clear upside as a pass rusher. He plays with urgency at 6-2 and 210 pounds and is constantly in the backfield making plays. Smith's first step is sharp, and he explodes off the line and gets upfield fast. Whether he's coming off the edge unblocked or winning with effort and hand usage, Smith consistently finds ways to pressure the quarterback. His ability to bend the corner and chase down plays from behind stands out, and he's not just going for sacks. Smith is looking to force fumbles and create turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith shows flashes of good technique, including arm extension and effectively shedding blockers. There's a relentlessness to his game that shows up on nearly every snap. Smith plays with good instincts and has a nose for the football. His pass-rush production is impressive, and plenty of film shows him beating blockers cleanly and finishing plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest concerns are size and run defense. At 210 pounds, Smith is undersized for an interior defensive tackle. While strong for his frame, he'll need to bulk up and improve his ability to anchor against the run. There's not a ton of early tape showing him consistently defending the run, but that part of his game still needs to be proven.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith is a fast, disruptive pass rusher who plays hard and creates chaos. With more development in run defense and a few more tools in his arsenal, he could be a serious weapon off the edge.</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":"Trey Batson","_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":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"265","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cape","_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-6820da8099fd6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trey Batson is a powerful, physically imposing defensive end with a frame and strength that stand out on film. At 6-3 and 265 pounds, he already has the size to play at the next level and possibly slide inside to defensive tackle. Batson plays with violent hands and does a great job of jarring blockers on contact. His bull rush is a real weapon, as he consistently collapses the pocket and forces quarterbacks to move or rush their throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Batson shows good awareness, too. He peels off blocks in multiple plays to make tackles or disrupt plays when the quarterback or running back tries to escape. Batson's motor is nonstop, and he doesn't give up on plays. He also has the strength to hold the edge in the run game. Batson's game is built more on power than finesse. While he flashes some deception in his rush, like a fake move here and there, he still needs to develop more pass-rush variety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Batson is a strong, explosive defender with great tools and a relentless motor. If he polishes his technique and expands his pass-rush toolbox, he'll be a tough assignment for any offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/02/evaluating-prospects-from-the-first-state-3a-standouts-pt-1/"><strong>Evaluating prospects from The First State: 3A standouts – Pt. 1</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/02/evaluating-prospects-from-the-first-state-2a-standouts-pt-1/"><strong>Evaluating prospects from The First State: 2A standouts – Pt. 1</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/02/evaluating-prospects-from-the-first-state-1a-standouts-pt-1/"><strong>Evaluating prospects from The First State: 1A standouts – Pt. 1</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>E<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/evaluating-prospects-from-the-first-state-3a-standouts-pt-2/">valuating prospects from The First State: 3A standouts – Pt. 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/evaluating-prospects-from-the-first-state-3a-standouts-pt-2/">Evaluating prospects from The First State: 3A standouts – Pt. 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/evaluating-prospects-from-the-first-state-2a-standouts-pt-3/">Evaluating prospects from The First State: 3A standouts - Part 3</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->