Underrated 2027 Defensive Prospects: Nation’s Capital (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone takes a look at some of the underrated defensive Class of 2027 prospects in the Nation's Capital, Washington D.C. This is Part 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Note: This excludes teams from the WCAC and IAC (will feature teams from those conferences in the future).</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1631189"],"_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-698f371bc97b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Artiles is a versatile defensive player who plays both linebacker and defensive back for his team. In his highlights, he lines up at strong safety, outside linebacker, and over the slot, showing that he can play in space. Artiles makes plays on defence, and part of that is the way he attacks the football. The interceptions he gets in zone coverage show that he's disciplined and knows his role. His highlights show him undercutting routes, competing at the catch point, and finishing plays. There's a pick-six and a field goal-block that reinforces the fact that he can make game-changing plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Artiles holds his own in coverage. He runs with receivers across the field, stays connected to them, and breaks on the ball when the time is right. Against flats and short routes in his highlights. Artiles reacts quickly and limits yards after the catch. He's physical against the run. I like the way he fills alleys, avoids blocks, and stays involved in cleanup tackles. I'd like to see him square up more often and finish with better form when tackling, and see how he looks in more 1v1 situations. Artilies is solid in coverage and run support. I think he'll ultimiately ends up at safety if he gets an opportunity to play at the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2108360"],"_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-698f371bc983e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tougma plays fast and stays around the football from his linebacker position. He lines up primarily at middle backer and has a good feel for both run and pass responsibilities. Coverage-wise, Tougma looks comfortable dropping into zones. His highlights show him reacting quickly to short throws and limiting yards after the catch with immediate tackles. Against the run, Tougma is decisive. I like how he comes downhill on run blitzes, shoots the gaps cleanly, and meets ball carriers at or behind the line of scrimmage. Tougma shows good timing and takes efficient angles when attacking sweep and option looks (shown in his highlights).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If he's going to stay at the linebacker position at the next level, Tougma will have to add some more strength to his frame to help deal with the physicality of the position. He's a smart and productive linebacker.&nbsp;</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":"Mahlik Pickett","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Woodson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-698f371bc994b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pickett is a physical, downhill safety who makes things happen near the line of scrimmage. He brings a linebacker mindset to the secondary. Pickett is at his best against the run, attacking downhill, crashing the edge, and finishing plays near the line. He shows strong instincts when working through blocks or diagnosing swing passes and perimeter runs. I'm impressed with how consistently Pickett finds the football. In space, he takes good angles and can chase down ball carriers from depth. Pickett plays physical and with urgency, doing the dirty work that helps take a defense to a higher level. I'd like to see more reps in pass coverage to get a better read on him there. Pickett's physicality and reliable tackling stand out to them.&nbsp;</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":"Khamel Williams","_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":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"175","_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":"Digital","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-698f371bc9a1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite being small in stature, Williams plays bigger than his size with high energy and a relentless pursuit of the football. His highlights show him being used effectively as an edge blitzer, where he's able to use his speed as an advantage against bigger but slower offensive linemen. Williams does a great job of closing on the ball of the edge, finishing plays, and bringing a lot of pressure on quarterbacks during passing downs. He also shows hustle on a few plays, chasing the play from the backside and helping make the tackle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Against the run, he plays smart, knowing he's going up against bigger players. Williams will need to continue to get stronger this offseason to have an even bigger impact next season. If he's to have a chance to play at the next level, Williams will have to showcase himself in pass-coverage situations during the off-season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->