PRZ NC Combine Preview: Defensive Players To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're just days away from our Spring PRZ Combine, the first we've ever done in the Raleigh-Durham area. Simply put, I'm excited. As much as a I love getting back to the Charlotte area to cover showcases, it's rare to have one in RDU and the makeup of our participant list skews heavily to the RDU area. After pre-scouting some <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/prz-nc-combine-preview-rdu-defenders-to-know/">defenders from the RDU area</a>, I looked at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/prz-nc-combine-preview-offensive-players-to-know/">offensive players from around the state</a> that I'm excited to see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, I'm looking at some other defensive players I'm excited to see, and what I'd like to learn from them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Players To Know at PRZ NC Clayton Camp</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The structure of the camp should allow me to scout a bunch of guys. We'll split into smaller groups to run 40s, broad jump, 5-10-5, and L-Drill athletic tests, then do some positional work and end with 1-on-1s. I'll bounce around and scout everybody in attendance, but I'm particularly intrigued by these players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1408773' first='Tyler' last='Powell'], Edge, Tarboro</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powell was a monster off the edge for Tarboro last season, in addition to having the best quarterbacking season at the school in over a decade. Powell has great size and burst on film, so I want to see what translates to a camp setting. Tarboro has had its fair share of elite athletes, but it can be hard to scout against other 1A schools. This should be an even playing field and should give me a good idea of just how high he could move in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1665124' first='Holden' last='Baker'], DB, Laney</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilmington is my weakest area of the state in terms of connections and coverage, but I've heard some good things about the young talent at Laney. Playing mostly on JV this year, the freshman Baker had a solid season and he's been excellent for the varsity lacrosse team as well this season. He seems to have good speed and length on tape, so I want to see what translates and how his coverage skills stack up against some strong receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='887866' first='Domonic' last='Williams Jr']., DB, Jacksonville</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm already a big fan of the freshman defensive back out of Jacksonville as his length and coverage skills impress on film. How fast can Williams run and how will he look in a strong defensive back group. Guys in his area of the state can often be forgotten, so camps like this can really help him raise his stock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='793334' first='Courtland' last='Simmons'], DB, Weddington</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another young defensive back, we like Simmons a lot, and the fact that he's already playing extensively on a defense as good as Weddington's is a testament to his talent. I'm looking for two things from the rising junior: his past testing numbers are good, not elite. Can he put up consistently strong combine times? Second, he's an excellent run defender, but there's not as much in pass coverage on his tape (partially because teams struggle to push the ball down the field on the Warriors). I'm interested to see how he can hold his own in one-on-ones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1636768' first='Tyler' last='Buchear'], LB, Lee County</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To be honest, I don't know a ton about Buchear, but he has great size and good sophomore numbers. So, I'm really excited to evaluate a guy who, on the surface, looks like he could be one of the top 2027 linebackers in the state. I'm hoping to see some solid testing numbers and positional work from Buchear.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/james-blake-hopkins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[player_tooltip player_id='366529' first='James' last='(Blake) Hopkins']</a>, DL, Parkwood</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopkins has good size for his age and great freshman tape. He's a guy we've evaluated a few times from afar, but never up close. I'm particularly interested in his testing numbers as I don't really know what sort of times to expect and they'll give me insight into his ceiling. He's a good player, but great athletic testing numbers are the difference between an early FCS and FBS grade.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1667377' first='Zayden' last='Carter'], DL, Dudley</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm interested to see Carter because he's slated to work out as a defensive lineman, rather than an offensive tackle, where he has more film. I think it could be a good decision, as that might be his highest-upside position for the future. I don't exactly know what to expect, but anyone who can start at a school like Dudley as a sophomore has at least some base-level talent. I'm excited to scout him in persona and get a better feel for where he fits in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->