Film Room Fridays- Defensive Prospects of the Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to Film Room Fridays!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this installment, we are looking at some of the recent submissions we have received from prospects on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, feel free to send your tape to us @PrepRedzoneAL and @CooperMorreale on Twitter/X for a chance to be featured! We are always trying to grow our coverage and community here on the site!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1344919"],"_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-68150d91d3391"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Over the past year, [player_tooltip player_id='1344919' first='Shannon' last='Noel'] has become a massive piece of what Saks High does defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noel is an instinctual LB who flies to the ball nearly every snap. He plays with great speed, pursuit, and awareness to constantly put himself in great position to come up with big stops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was really impressed with his run defense- he does a great job flying downhill to fill in rushing lanes, and is a reliable tackler who doesn't allow for extra yards after making contact. Noel also does a great job in pass coverage- he's quick, can cover lots of ground, and can track and make plays on the ball with his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noel has some great tape from last season you can watch below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18060651/66f8bd98d573e6fd263967cb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68150d91d355b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1658088"],"_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-68150d91d35bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1658088' first='Amyre' last='Upshaw'] is an upcoming freshman DB out of Phenix City that I'm really excited to see play over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upshaw is a physical DB who doesn't shy away from contact and is excellent against the run. He's terrific in pursuit, plays with a ton of effort, and has the tackling skills to hunt and bring down the ball carrier after starting on the opposite side of the field. I was really impressed by how strong Upshaw already is- he can deal out some really big hits, to the point where it's hard to believe he was only in 8th grade last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upshaw can also seriously hurt offenses out in coverage- he does a great job tracking the ball, is quick to react, and frequently breaks on passes to jar the ball free/haul in interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upshaw already has some impressive tape from his 8th-grade season you can watch below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21787342/680eaa6f4975fb2831969c84' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68150d91d35e5"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["829108"],"_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-68150d91d3629"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='829108' first='Terrance' last='Atkins'] is a talented coverage DB out of Ramsay who became a key piece of their secondary over this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atkins makes so many impressive plays when he's lined up in zone- he's patient, doesn't let WRs get behind him, and has the vision and ball skills to consistently find and get his hands on the ball to create huge stops. DO NOT throw this guys way- it's an accident waiting to happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was just as impressed with Atkins' tackling and run support. He does a great job coming down from the secondary to wrap up and take down the ball carrier in the open field, it's a testament to just how well-rounded of a DB he already is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atkins made tons of plays last fall, finishing the season with 31 total tackles, one INT, and 9 PBUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atkins has some really impressive tape from his sophomore season you can see below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19568887/671e7107116eeec4ed4d656b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68150d91d364c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1655779"],"_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-68150d91d368a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1655779' first='Kenneth' last='Brooks'] is a really talented up-and-coming LB out of Williamson with a big second year ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williamson has something serious cooking up on the defensive side of the ball, and [player_tooltip player_id='1655779' first='Kenneth' last='Brooks'] is only adding more fuel to the fire. Brooks is a highly instinctual and athletic LB who is dominant against the run. He's quick to react, plays with great speed, and has the tackling skills to meet and stop the ball carrier behind or just past the line of scrimmage for little to no gain. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooks has also shown to be a huge asset for his team's special-teams unit. He plays with relentless effort on kickoffs and does a great job finding and hunting down the returner to prevent his defense from being in poor field position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooks made some impressive plays last season, check out some of his tape down below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19343738/6740c620834089630bf8f51c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68150d91d36ab"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1666980"],"_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-68150d91d36e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1666980' first='Demarion' last='Thomas'] is a talented 2027 DB out of Stanhope Elmore who really caught my eye this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is a DB you can be completely comfortable keeping on the opposing WR 1 all game long. He's terrific in man coverage, can wear down WRs on the line of scrimmage, and can stay with them downfield to provide blanket coverage and break up passes as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was really impressed with Thomas' physicality and effort against the run- he'll fight off blockers to get to the ball carrier and frequently makes impressive one-on-one tackles in the open field to prevent big plays. Thomas brings the same level of impact to his team's special teams, consistently finding ways to make plays wherever he lines up- it's super impressive to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas ended his sophomore season with 43 total tackles (32 solo), 7 PBUs, 2 fumble recoveries, one blocked punt, and one TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watch out for Thomas this fall, he's a talented player with a big junior season ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22685257/6731b90e0a2f5644f4e35ba4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68150d91d3708"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->