Grind, Grit, and Game-Wreckers: Week 8’s Hidden Defensive Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colorado has hidden playmakers littered throughout our great box state. Week 8 continued to prove that correct, as we had some really standout defensive performances. However, today I am highlighting some great performances that might've fallen under your radar. Let's dive into it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Myles Coxe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Douglas County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68fa76f29ac2f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This linebacker has been on a tear this season for Douglas County, and it continued against Regis Jesuit last week. He had 15 total tackles (13 solo, 2 assisted), 1 TFL, and 1 sack. Coxe has good athletic ability due to very good lateral quickness, acceleration, and good speed. One thing about Coxe is his relentless pursuit. He doesn't give up until the play is finished, and uses his very good range, running across the field to make the play. He's a very good in run support, stuffing gaps and creating TFLs. Very good tackling. Wraps the defenders and pulls them down with ease. Keep an eye on this junior to be going up the ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1539304"],"_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-68fa76f29acc9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Utah State commit continues to show why he's a premier prospect in Colorado, and USU got a steal. The 6'3 200-pound linebacker had 13 total tackles, 3 TFL, and 1 sack. He has very good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, speed, balance, and good change of direction. Smooth and controlled body movements. Very good strength. Very good bend around the edge showing his flexibility. Very good hand speed, hand strength, and hand placement. He swats the OL's hands out of the way and attacks the QB. Very good block shedding and get off speed. Very good bull rush. He is consistently creating pressure on the QB or making plays in the backfield. I'm always impressed with his film, and I'm very excited to see how he does at the D1 level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806107"],"_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-68fa76f29ad3b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Berninzoni first landed on my radar from our PRZ combine events, and he has been a stud all season for Ponderosa. The CB/FS/returner has 48 total tackles on the year (31 solo, 17 assisted), 2 INT, and 7 PD. He has good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, speed, good jumping, and change of direction. He has a good back pedal and jams up receivers at the line of scrimmage. During the route, he stays glued to the receiver in man coverage, and shows very good anticipation. Jumping in front of the WR to make the INT and get some good return yardage. He has good timing to create pass deflections and pass break ups. Very fluid hips to match the wideouts, and very good closing quickness. Berninzoni has good read and reaction speed and consistently watches the QB's eyes to make the big play. Kid's a dawg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Bron Southworth","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fossil Ridge","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68fa76f29ae27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Southworth's been capping his senior season off with a bang. The OLB for Fossil Ridge has 46 total tackles (33 solo, 13 assisted), 9 TFL, 5 sacks, and 1 FR. This past week against Prairie View, he went off. He had 3 sacks, 3 TFL, and 7 total tackles. He has good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, good speed, and lateral quickness. Southworth has good bend around the edge when blitzing, and very good take off speed. He gets a low pad level and maintains a good angle to get around the tackle. He has good strength and good hand placement to control and steer the OL out of the way. Good bull rush and mixes in the spin move too. Great performance by the senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1514976"],"_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-68fa76f29ae9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gilchrist measures in at 6'3 215-pounds and has been a baller for Arapahoe on both sides of the ball. The ILB/ TE has 13 receptions for 165 yards and 1 touchdown with 74 total tackles (49 solo, 25 assisted), 9 TFL, 3 QB pressures, 1 FR, and 1 PD. He has very good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, change of direction, lateral agility, good speed, and jumping. As a tight end, he has good release and good catching with very strong hands to hold onto the ball while getting hit by multiple defenders. As a linebacker, he has good get off speed and very good block shedding. He's a strong presence in the run game with very good tackling and a very good run stopper. Good strength and good range. He is a beast that I expect more offers to come his way soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->