Flim Room Fridays (1/16): Top Defensive Prospects Of The Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to Film Room Fridays!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this installment, we are looking at some of the recent submissions we have received from prospects on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, feel free to send your tape to us @PrepRedzoneAL and @CooperMorreale on Twitter/X for a chance to be featured! We are always trying to grow our coverage and community here on the site!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1894119"],"_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-696a4e75e78d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1894119' first='Aydan' last='Niles'] is a talented sophomore DB from Madison who put together an impressive year in his team's secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Niles is a tough coverage corner who flies around the field every snap to cause headaches for opposing offenses. Niles is seriously impressive in coverage. He's quick on his feet, isn't easily baited, and has the speed and physicality to match up well against any WR type. Once the ball is thrown his way, good luck. Niles is phenomenal at getting his hands on the ball and constantly racks up PBUs and INTs.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On top of his skills in coverage, Niles is a reliable tackler who defends the run at a high level. He's quick to get downhill, doesn't shy away from hits, and wraps up well, not allowing any extra yardage after initial contact. I think Niles is a talented player whose best ball is in front of him, keep watch of him this year."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you haven't watched Niles before, be sure to check out some of his clips below. He's a talented prospect with a big year ahead of him in 2026:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19628658/691c016fda75fadc2014ef7c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696a557762f09"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2106985"],"_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-696a4e75e7961"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2106985' first='Henry' last='Thai Nguyen'] is a talented freshman who's lined up and produced at EDGE and K for Alma Bryant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Nguyen is a dominant run defender who uses his length, power, and leverage to create tons of stops down by the line of scrimmage. Nguyen is a tough matchup in the trenches. His long arms, strength, and motor allow him to consistently explode off the ball and overwhelm offensive linemen to get to the ball. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Nguyen adds a ton of value to his team through special teams as well. He was really reliable on PATs and FGs in 2025, making some huge kicks to help out the scoreboard. I think Nguyen showed a ton of potential through year one, I'm excited to see how he continues to develop both as an EDGE and K. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nguyen had an impressive freshman campaign that you can check out below. We all need to keep eyes on him moving forward, he has a bright future ahead for Alma Bryant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22533138/69363e7e5079fbd8195321df' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696a557762f83"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1637984"],"_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-696a4e75e79a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1637984' first='Zyon' last='Gray'] is a physical LB from Sparkman who made some impressive stops throughout his sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Gray is a heat-seeking missile at LB who flies to the ball every snap. I love watching him defend the run. He's constantly finding ways to create stops for loss, flying downhill to dish out some absolutely massive hits to the ballcarrier. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Gray is a really strong tackler who doesn't allow for any additional yardage after he makes contact. I'm really impressed with his sideline-to-sideline speed and how he can take guys down in the open field. He's always making some really impressive hustle plays in pursuit. We all need to keep watch of him these next two years."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think Gray will be a key player to watch on Sparkman's defense next season. If you haven't watched any of his tape before, do yourself a favor and check it out below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19341267/69249570e1707e199bde079b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696a557762fec"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1964718"],"_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-696a4e75e7a0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1964718' first='Datavius' last='Caldwell'] is a talented LB/EDGE from Prattville who's coming off a breakout junior season for his team's defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Caldwell is an instinctual and athletic LB who finds himself near the ball every snap. Caldwell is quick, intelligent, and always in the right spot to make life more difficult for opposing offenses, especially against the run.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Caldwell is a monster against the run. He's constantly filling in lanes and meeting the ball carrier to create tackles for loss or little gain. His best trait might be his tackling- he's great in pursuit, does a good job wrapping up, and can lay out some huge hits as well."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caldwell helped create a ton of stops this past year. Be sure to check out some of his film below; he's an impressive prospect with a big year ahead of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18122776/690a3f018a6d07a60039aab4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696a59fd0d6f0"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2087856"],"_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-696a4e75e7a4c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2087856' first='Tristan' last='Hill'] is a talented junior DB from Spain Park who had a really productive season last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Hill is a physical corner who thrives on his ball skills and timing. You never want to throw Hill's way- he's a constant threat to pick off and break up passes in coverage, no matter where he is on the field. Hill does a fantastic job timing up and breaking on/underneath passes to punch the ball out, leading to a ridiculous amount of PBUs last year. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Outside of his coverage skills, it's clear Hill is a highly intelligent and physical defender as well. He's always in the right spot to make stops, doesn't shy away from dishing out big hits, and causes fits for any offense going against him."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill has put together some great tape from 2025 that you can check out below. Be sure to give him a watch; he's a talented defender with a big senior year ahead:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16503019/68daac01a02fc28d2aab6de6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696a59fd0d784"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->