’27 DB/ATHs Quietly having Great Seasons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm in the middle of a DB/ATH deep dive. This position boasts a wealth of talent, but most of it remains to be recruited. After a full day of grinding DB/ATH tape, here are a few players that stood out to me the most. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1613533"],"_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-68f966423f2fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1613533' first='Brandon' last='Holman'] is having himself an excellent season for Zeeland West. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First and foremost, speed kills. His 11.14 100M dash is one of the fastest times in the state, and Brandon has a habit of always playing at full speed. <br>This is obviously utilized well offensively. Brandon is a home run waiting to happen at RB, and he's broken a few massive runs this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though I actually like Brandon more as a safety. Watching his full game against Forest Hills Central, I came away incredibly impressed with Brandon's physicality and play speed. Brandon takes aggressive angles to the ball carrier, and it usually pays off. He has a knack for blowing by blockers and getting in on some tough, sideline-to-sideline tackles. The way Brandon is able to cover ground and play at 100% when stopping the run is elite, and I do not say that lightly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I need to see more in the pass game, but I am intrigued. With Brandon's speed + effort, there's little doubt that Brandon could develop into a great pass defender. I personally like his upside as a zone-heavy free safety. I currently think that Brandon has a D2 floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687223"],"_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-68f966423f3ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Each site seems to have Don listed at a different position. Some say DB, some say WR, and some say LB. We have him listed as an "ATH", and I think that fits the bill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched Don's latest game against Cass Tech, and I came away impressed with his skills at outside linebacker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletic ability pops. He's got the explosiveness to play P4 football, and the reaction time to complement it. A good run stopper who consistently takes good, aggressive angles to the ball carrier. Needs to vastly improve block shedding. I know Cass Tech's OL has multiple P4 guys, but still, it was over for Don once a guy got hands on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A solid zone defender. Times where he looked a bit lost, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, especially knowing he's played safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Size is the cherry on top. 6'2" with great length. Can still fill out his frame. Looks like a Power 4 outside linebacker or safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1195232"],"_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-68f966423f472"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Outplaying his ranking by a country mile. My updated evaluation started with watching Jaeden's midseason highlights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big upgrades to his all-around instincts, physicality, and play speed. He's a player who seems to play better during Friday Night Lights than during the offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the passing game, Jaeden has been more consistent in man coverage. A little more patient, yet just as quick to react when the ball is thrown. Plus, his ball skills have looked great so far this season. Pass game still not 100% scouted, as I'm waiting for his game against Saline to be available. Still, definitely looks upgraded from last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaeden also looks improved in the run game. All-around better play speed, and a good tackler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688339"],"_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-68f966423f4eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm very intrigued by clips I've seen on Twitter, and I'm looking forward to eventually seeing a highlight tape or full game (current hudl highlights seem to be privated).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From my quick glimpses, Trent looks very fast, explosive, and an overall great athlete. Seems that Trent has made the majority of his big plays as an RB, utilizing his high-end speed and above-average contact balance. If Trent's testing numbers are correct, I think there's a high likelihood that he earns a lot of college attention this offseason. Looking forward to watch a highlight tape and a full game soon! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1157440"],"_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-68f966423f562"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was able to watch Goins against Romeo in-person and again against Romeo online. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a reason why he's a blue-chip prospect in Michigan's class of 2027. Elijah is a near-elite athlete with phenomenal play speed and physicality. He stops the run as well as any DB in the Midwest, and he's willing to go sideline-to-sideline to make it happen. He's also proven himself as a pass defender, sporting good man-to-man coverage when needed, but also exceptional range in zone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->