My Top 5 Senior Breakout Candidates (Defense)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another offseason, another opportunity to improve. These defensive players have put in the work to have a massive breakout season this Fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["568135"],"_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-6850c13ad94b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two-way player who I've slept on until recently. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Particularly, I've slept on Jack's speed. Although I don't have official testing times, Jack does provide several 40-yard dash videos on his Twitter, and it's pretty clear that Jack is in that upper-echelon of speed, especially if he's going to be a linebacker (or even safety) at Michigan State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His tape, particularly on defense, is similar to a few other players. Extremely physical, a great tackler, solid ball skills, and solid (but not elite) coverage skills.<br>I think one thing that I failed to take into account was his offensive play. For one, colleges love dudes who can play both ways, and I know it's especially important for DBs. Jack has some very impressive highlights at receiver, showcasing better-than-expected hands and contact balance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That said, Jack should have his best season yet this year. I don't know a player who earned their first BIG 10 offer this late into their high school career who didn't have an elite work ethic. A lot of what Jack is doing rhymes with what I saw Ty Hudkins accomplish a few years back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["551269"],"_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-6850c13ad9515"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was pleasantly surprised to see Carter break the starting lineup at Groves this past season. I would be pretty shocked if Carter didn't show big improvement this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>People tend to write off sub-6-foot linebackers. While I get it from a recruiting standpoint, some of the best high school linebackers I've seen have been below-average height relative to the position. Just look at the first minute of Carter's tape. <br>Carter plays fast, plays physical, reads the opposing offense quickly, and he's not afraid to make mistakes. While confronted with an offensive lineman in front of him and a RB trying to run off the lineman's hip, Carter does an excepetional job at laying a big hit, keeping his shoulders square, and his eyes on the ballcarrier (like 0:50 against rival Seaholm). Then, plays like 1:01 showcase exceptional reads. Here, he quickly reads the counter run, slips between two linemen, and blows up the play from the backside. Really impressive play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Carter better met size requirements, I'd say he'd be a GLIAC guy. Regardless, this is a great high school football player who deserves an opportunity to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1298710"],"_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-6850c13ad955e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ben has been putting in work this offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just looking at last season's tape, stats, and what he's done so far this offseason makes me confident of an explosive 2025 season. 7on7, camps, and more. Ben's tape proves he's one of the best defensive players in the OAA Gold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben has the effort, physicality, and some of the IQ. What I'm hoping for this season is even better play speed and even better IQ- and I think that's exactly what we're going to get. Phenomenal offseason so far for Ben, and I strongly believe we're about to see it pay off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1306699"],"_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-6850c13ad95d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the unsung heroes of Lowell. Plays on both sides of the ball, and plays a big role whenever he's on the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, Brady is primarily utilized as a blocking TE. He blocks the outside well, and he's especially good at reach blocking. Defensively, Brady plays with that same physicality and motor. His highlights demonstrate an ability to set the edge and get after the Quarterback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still zero offers for Brady. I hope that changes in the coming months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1615723"],"_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-6850c13ad9621"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brenden has some insane physical tools. Plus, he's extremely competitive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Brenden is on his game, he's a massive difference maker. He can defend the outside run, tackle, and play zone coverage. Brenden even showed good flashes playing man coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With another offseason under Brenden's belt, he can go from a great player on Niles to a bona fide star. Just a little improvement in change of direction and speed would give him the edge when he's deep in the playoffs going against other great talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->