Twitter Film Study Pt. 2: Ballhawks and Headhunters

We kicked things off in the trenches, but now it's time to look at the guys covering space on defense. Part two of Twitter Film Study is all about the linebackers and defensive backs — the ones dropping the hammer, locking up receivers, and flying sideline to sideline making plays.   Got film you want looked at? Just reply to the tweet below with a link to your most recent tape!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/thehonestupdate/status/1927522408128295149 </div></figure>    Gavin's a linebacker who just moves really naturally across the field. You watch him on tape and the first thing that pops is how easily he slides laterally — he's getting to the sideline in a hurry without ever losing his angle or overcommitting. His footwork is super clean, especially when he's working side to side. He stays square, doesn't cross himself up, and never looks off-balance. He's found a way to balance playing physically without being reckless. He doesn't shy away from contact — in fact, he welcomes it. Whether it's a pulling guard or a lead blocker coming downhill, he meets them head-on, lowers his pads, and holds his ground. But he's also disciplined. He knows when to trigger and when to stay patient, and that's a tough thing to teach. He plays smart, doesn't over-pursue, and you can tell he's reading things a step ahead. Really sound linebacker who looks comfortable in his role and plays with the kind of physical edge every team needs in the middle of the defense.      Xavier's game is built around movement and control. He's got really quick feet and smooth hips, which makes him a tough matchup for anyone trying to shake him in space. He stays low and fluid in his backpedal, which lets him mirror routes for a long time without needing to bail early or guess. That kind of patience is hard to find in younger DBs, especially ones still developing physically. There are times he'll peek into the backfield a little too long and lose a step, but his speed shows up when he needs it most. He's got the recovery ability to close gaps quickly and make up for small mistakes, which keeps him in position to still make plays. He just moves fluidly across the field — he doesn't waste steps, and you can see how confidently he plants and drives on the ball. As he continues to grow and sharpen up some of the technical stuff — like eye discipline and route anticipation — he's got all the tools to be a difference-maker in the secondary.      Cooper's another one of those guys who brings a ton of physicality to the table, but doesn't play out of control. He's got a great feel for when to go full throttle and when to hang back just enough to keep himself in position. You can tell he enjoys the physical side of the game — he sees a lead blocker coming downhill and doesn't hesitate for a second. He'll charge straight into the chaos just to blow things up and give his teammates a shot to clean it up. What makes him stand out even more is how secure of a tackler he is. Once he gets his hands on you, it's over. He wraps up with good form, drives his feet, and doesn't let go. That kind of reliability is huge at the linebacker spot. But he's not just a thumper — he's got enough agility to hold up when he's asked to cover space. He stays with his assignment and doesn't get caught trying to do too much, which keeps the defense steady. He's clearly at his best when attacking downhill, but there's more to his game than just physicality. With his motor, toughness, and discipline, he brings real value to the middle of a defense. Coaches love guys who don't need constant reminders to do their job — and he fits that mold perfectly.      Kenny's just one of those corners who does a lot of things right. He's not the biggest hitter or the most physical presence on the field, but the way he moves makes up for all of that. He's got great footwork and enough speed to play right up on guys at the line without needing to panic about getting beat deep. That kind of confidence and control is huge, especially for someone still developing. What really stands out on film is how hard it is to create separation from him. His ability to change direction without losing speed is so sharp that even quick-twitch receivers struggle to shake him. He's calm, doesn't bite on fakes, and stays locked in throughout the route. Physically, he's still got room to grow. A little more weight on his frame and more reps against top guys will go a long way, but the raw tools are absolutely there. He's the kind of DB you can plug into a system, and with some development, he's going to return way more value than most might expect. Just a super steady, technically sound corner with a high ceiling.      Walker is the definition of a do-it-all guy. His frame sits right between a linebacker and a safety, and his play reflects that in the best way possible. He's the kind of player coaches can move around and trust to get the job done, whether it's playing in the box, dropping into coverage, or even flipping over to the other side of the ball and running routes. On defense, he's physical enough to fight through blocks and hold up against the run, but what makes him unique is how natural he looks in coverage. Whether it's man or zone, he rarely looks out of place. He's smart, reads things well, and doesn't hesitate to attack the ball. You can tell he's locked in and knows where he's supposed to be. That kind of awareness is rare, especially for someone with that kind of size and physicality. Then there's the offensive side — when he lines up at receiver, you see that same field awareness show up. He's reading the QB, finding open space, and creating opportunities. And when the ball's in his hands, he's a tough tackle. He's got the speed to pull away and the strength to finish through contact. Walker's a true utility weapon. Guys who can help you in that many ways, on both sides of the ball, don't come around often.

We kicked things off in the trenches, but now it's time to look at the guys covering space on defense. Part two of Twitter Film Study is all about the linebackers and defensive backs — the ones dropping the hammer, locking up receivers, and flying sideline to sideline making plays.