2029 Update: Newly Ranked Freshman Defenders

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2180379"],"_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-69f2bef3704e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dargan is one of the most explosive players in the entire state for the 2029 class and starred on both sides of the ball in his first season at the prep level. He is a big YAC guy, explodes into the open field with long strides, quick twitch in the short area and is a big play machine every time he touches the ball. He has fluid hips in coverage, can pedal and break without false steps and has natural ball skills at the point of attack with return abilities and a very high IQ, especially for his age. Dargan has some of the most impressive Freshman film of anyone we have seen this cycle and should be a 15+ offer guy by this time next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2180382"],"_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-69f2bef3705a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taufa can play anywhere at the second level from the inside linebacker spot or off the edge as a pass rusher. He is strong and powerful at the point, explosive off the ball with quick hands and shoulder turn at the top of his rushes while able to collapse the pocket quickly and close on the quarterback. He flashes change of direction, can dip or shock and shed around blockers and is a excellent tackler that takes the proper angles and can knife into the backfield with ease and is a high motor guy that is always around the ball. As he continues to grow and develop he should see plenty of FBS attention come his way and is one of the top freshman linebackers in the state heading into this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2180381"],"_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-69f2bef37061d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marshall is a extremely long and athletic corner prospect with elite size, length and ball skills. He is a smooth operator on a island, has disciplined eyes on coverage while breaking quickly on the ball and has recovery speed/length if beat inside or over the top. He is seemingly very comfortable in man coverage, plays with good hands in press and when trailing and can go up and win on contested balls while not afraid to get in the mix downhill in the run game on the perimeter. He is a high upside prospect with tons of potential over the next three seasons and is one of the more intriguing prospects of note in this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2180385"],"_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-69f2bef370692"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Minnifield is another high upside corner that packs a punch for his size and is extremely tough and physical on the outside. He has tremendous natural instincts and baits quarterbacks into poor throws before breaking with closing speed and great PBU abilities with natural ball skills as well. He is a very physical tackler that runs through contact and can cover a ton of ground on the back end while excelling both in man coverage and in a soft zone look as well and made no shortage of high level plays as a freshman for the Mustangs. He is one of the top corners regardless of class across the SJS heading into 2026, and is another elite prospect that should be drawing college attention soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1893874"],"_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-69f2bef370701"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beattie is one of the better freshman corners in the state and has elite speed for his age and the right starting tools for the position for a freshman. He is a fluid prospect with a natural pedal, hips in transition and can make plays on the ball consistently with natural instincts and return abilities in the open field. He is a very smart player that can bait poor throws over the middle and stays disciplined with his eyes in coverage while staying within his frame through his progressions and shows he can play either up on the line in press with heavy hands or off in zone. Heading into his sophomore season for the Vikings, he should have a breakout season and start seeing some offers roll in over the next 9-12 months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->