California Dreamin' - New England players shine bright in LA

Santiago's tape from the tournament highlights a player with elite physical tools and a high motor, making him a nightmare for offensive linemen. David won several reps against very good competition, showing resilience and the ability to adjust mid-rep. This competitive fire could make him a tone-setter. He explodes off the line with impressive get-off, allowing him to penetrate gaps quickly and get into the backfield. This was evident in multiple reps where he beat slower-footed tackles inside.   Santiago uses powerful, active hands to shock and control blockers, maintaining leverage throughout the engagement. He's physical and relentless, often shedding blocks to score points. Playing low with good pad level, he maximizes his 6'2" frame and arm length to keep blockers at bay. His reach helps in winning reps and he won several.     Jayden demonstrated a polished skill set that makes him a reliable target in passing situations. His quick burst off the line of scrimmage allows him to gain immediate advantages against defenders, often exploding into his routes before coverage can react. He consistently achieves a clean release, using subtle hand fighting and footwork to avoid jams at the line— a key trait for undersized receivers facing press coverage. Route running is a standout area; Fortes runs sharp, precise patterns with minimal wasted motion. He creates separation at the top of his routes through effective stem work and speed variation, making him difficult to mirror for cornerbacks.   His ability to make quick cuts mid-route keeps defenders off-balance, and he excels at making the first tackler miss in the open field with elusive jukes and acceleration. Additionally, Fortes elevates well to high-point the ball, showing strong body control and timing in contested situations despite his frame. These attributes suggest he could contribute early as a chain-mover in third-down scenarios or as a yards-after-catch (YAC) threat. In the tournament, Fortes logged multiple receptions, including a highlight where he separated on a post route and adjusted mid-air for an over-the-shoulder grab.     Lopes demonstrated an elite get-off, exploding out of his stance with a fast first step that allowed him to win the edge quickly. This speed rush made him a nightmare for offensive tackles, often forcing them into recovery mode before they could set their base. He plays with a high motor and physical edge, consistently engaging blockers with violence and refusing to be moved off his spot. His aggressive style translates well to run defense, where he can shed blocks and pursue ball carriers sideline-to-sideline.   Lopes shows impressive bend around the corner, getting vertical upfield while maintaining leverage. This flexibility makes it difficult for linemen to get clean hands on him, as he dips under punches and redirects with ease. He won nearly every rep, showcasing a blend of power and finesse that overwhelmed opponents. Overall, he was impressive throughout the day, with no drop-off in energy or effectiveness as the tournament progressed. Based on the tournament footage, no glaring weaknesses were evident in Lopes' game—he was dominant across the board.     Fortes stands out as a polished route-runner with the athleticism to create separation and make plays in space, making him a intriguing prospect with upside for higher levels if he continues developing. Key positives from the tournament. Once the ball is in his hands, he's quick to transition upfield, using his agility to evade the first tackler and turn short passes into explosive plays. His elusiveness after the catch adds a dynamic element, reminiscent of slot receivers who rack up hidden yardage. His quick feet and fast first step allow him to explode off the line, consistently beating press coverage. He gets a clean release against defensive backs, using subtle shoulder fakes and speed to avoid jams at the line of scrimmage. This trait was evident in multiple reps where he turned short slants into chunk gains.   Fortes runs sharp, crisp routes with good stem work and breaks that keep defenders off-balance. He showed excellent body control on curls, digs, and posts, maintaining speed through transitions without rounding off cuts. This reliability makes him a quarterback's best friend in timing-based offenses. Equipped with soft, natural hands, he plucks the ball away from his body and secures it through contact. Fortes excelled at making tough catches in traffic, high-pointing contested balls and absorbing hits without losing possession. In crowded red-zone situations during the tournament, he came down with several grabs that lesser receivers would drop.     Agwuna's physical dominance is his calling card, making him a disruptive force on both sides of the ball. At 6'2" and nearly 300 pounds, he's extremely strong and leverages his size effectively to overpower opponents. On defense, he consistently overpowered blockers, using his power to shed and score points. His ability to drive players out of the box was evident in multiple reps where he broke into the backfield and scored points. On offense, Agwuna gets his hands on defenders quickly, establishing control early in the rep. He uses his hands well—active, violent, and precise—which allows him to locate targets and engage with authority. Once locked in, he can get there with raw power, sustaining blocks. His quick first step off the line adds to his explosiveness, and he showed flashes of rhythm late in sessions, winning reps by combining strength with improving technique. Overall, his potential as a high-motor lineman who can play both OL and DL makes him a versatile asset.   While Agwuna's strength is undeniable, his performance revealed areas where inexperience shows. He got off to a slow start in the tournament, struggling with initial reads and timing, which allowed quicker opponents to gain leverage early. This suggests a need for better anticipation and consistency in his get-off. His reliance on pure power sometimes leads to overcommitting, potentially exposing him to agile edge rushers or pull schemes. Footwork and lateral quickness appeared as limitations; he's more of a straight-line power player right now, lacking the elite agility to consistently handle speed-based matchups. Technique refinement is ongoing—while his hands are a plus, pad level and balance could be inconsistent under pressure. As a player still learning the nuances of American football, these are coachable issues but his development from last year is evident.