Underclassman Deep Dive: State-Wide Stock Risers

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2103037"],"_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-69c8267b71b47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crafton is one of the top 2028 linebackers across Southern California and is coming off a stellar sophomore season campaign for Santa Barbara. He is very athletic from the second level, closes quickly on ball carriers and can apply pressure up the middle with well timed blitzes and some pass rush twitch off the edge. He flashes he is a sideline to sideline player outside the tackles, has speed to track down backside and a quick redirect when needed while not afraid to shock and shed in between the tackles against second level blockers. Overall, he is extremely athletic and strong at the point of attack and should fit nicely at inside linebacker in college with plus athleticism. </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":"Samatuafaiga Tagaloa Jr","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"270","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"De La Salle ","_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-69c8267b71cec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tagaloa is one of the top in the class at his position and is coming off a nice freshman campaign for one of the top teams in the country. Tagaloa has the frame and build needed for the P4 level and is a tremendous athlete with power, a good strike and movement abilities especially for his size with no bad weight and is dominant on both sides of the ball. He is going to be a household name across the bay area and northern California come this Fall and already holds offers from Cal and Sacramento State. Look for other P4 schools to come in offer through his sophomore year and he should hold national offers sooner rather than later. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2065952"],"_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-69c8267b71dac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rodriguez is a very smooth mover for the linebacker position and is stout against the run, triggers quickly and packs a punch at the point of attack. He has closing speed, takes proper angles in the open field while able to knife into the backfield and rush the passer up the middle or off the edge. He has quick play recognition, natural instincts and is a high motor guy that is always around the ball. He can play both inside or outside linebacker and has plus cover abilities downfield when needed and will be one of the top defenders across the region in 2026 and is another no-brainer next level kid. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2125032"],"_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-69c8267b71e38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ulu has a massive frame and is only heading into his Junior season for Bellarmine. He snaps out of his stance, moves well for his size at the first and second level and has a violent inside punch while winning with leverage and sudden power at the point of attack. He shows he can finish blocks downfield, cut off scraping linebackers and pull across the line to kick-out edge defenders. He does a good job using his length to his advantage and a solid technique overall in pass protection and in the run game. He should see his recruitment start to pick up in his junior season and he is one of the top at his position across the WCAL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->