Saturday Afternoon Film Review

<p>Check out nine players across the state of Arkansas, from 2026's-2028's, all with the ability to compete and produce at the next level!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1198671' first='Braceson' last='Mitchell'] | 2028 | Defensive Lineman | Searcy</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1198671' first='Braceson' last='Mitchell'], a 6-foot-3, 260-pound defensive lineman, has game that is characterized by a blend of strength, agility, and football intelligence. His ability to line up at both defensive end and tackle positions showcases his versatility on the defensive front. Mitchell excels at stringing out plays, often making solo tackles on outside runs and effectively locking down his side of the field. His closing speed and strength enable him to disrupt the pocket and make impactful plays, including one-handed tackles that halt offensive momentum.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/bracesonm55/status/1912467266953753045?s=61 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1399541' first='Chandler' last='Hopper'] | 2028 | Long Snapper | Searcy</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1399541' first='Chandler' last='Hopper'], a 6-foot-1, 190-pound long snapper, is a dedicated specialist in the Class of 2028. Having fully embraced the nuances of the long snapping role, Hopper has demonstrated consistent reliability and precision in his snaps. His commitment to mastering this specialized position is evident in his steady performance, making him a dependable asset on special teams.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1178735' first='Kelton' last='Wilson'] | 2026 | Defensive Back | Arkadelphia</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1178735' first='Kelton' last='Wilson'], a 6-foot, 174-pound cornerback, showcases a high football IQ and instinctive play, Wilson consistently disrupts passing lanes with active hands and precise timing, leading to numerous pass breakups. His physicality and intensity are evident in his open-field tackling, where he demonstrates both aggression and control. Wilson's ability to read the quarterback and anticipate routes makes him a formidable presence in the secondary.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/keltonwilson29/status/1909356452356964458?s=61 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='701205' first='Kaleb' last='Roach'] | 2026 | Defensive Back | Magnolia</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='701205' first='Kaleb' last='Roach'], a 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back, is renowned for his playmaking abilities, Roach combines exceptional speed, agility, and ball skills to consistently disrupt opposing offenses. His quick reads and reactions enable him to anticipate passes effectively, often beating receivers to the spot and securing interceptions. Roach's prowess extends to special teams, where his dynamic return skills make him a constant threat to score.</p>   <p>In the 2024 season, Roach recorded nine interceptions, ranking him second in Arkansas and 40th nationally. His defensive contributions were pivotal in Magnolia's deep playoff run, with notable performances including multiple interceptions in key games. Roach's combination of athleticism, instincts, and versatility positions him as a top-tier defensive prospect with significant potential at the next level.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1516821' first='Mario' last='Brownlee'] | 2027 | Linebacker | Prescott</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1516821' first='Mario' last='Brownlee'], standing at 5-foot-11, and 200-pounds, has a game that is defined by exceptional composure and football intelligence, allowing him to diagnose plays with patience and precision. Brownlee excels in run defense, utilizing calculated angles and lateral agility to navigate through blocking schemes and consistently disrupt plays in the backfield. His physicality is evident in his tackling technique and his knack for forcing fumbles, making him a formidable presence on the field.</p>   <p>In the 2024–25 season, Brownlee amassed 117 total tackles, ranking him 19th in the state of Arkansas and placing him among the top defenders in Division 3A and Region 7. His athletic prowess was further showcased at the Arkansas Stock Up Showcase, where he recorded a 4.60-second 40-yard dash, a 4.53-second shuttle, and a 9-foot-7 broad jump. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/brownleema59318/status/1910421581580403135?s=61 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1257463' first='Kyelen' last='Griffin'] | 2026 | Defensive Back | Sylvan Hills</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1257463' first='Kyelen' last='Griffin'], a 5-foot-11, 160-pound safety, is a prospect known for his physicality and football intelligence. Griffin excels in run support, consistently taking solid angles and executing low-pad level tackles that halt ball carriers effectively. In man-to-man coverage, he demonstrates impressive physicality at the line of scrimmage, disrupting receivers' routes and causing timing issues for opposing quarterbacks. His ability to jam receivers and maintain tight coverage makes him a formidable presence in the secondary.</p>   <p>Griffin's junior year highlights showcase his instinctive play and versatility on the field. His film reveals a player who is not only aggressive in run support but also adept at reading the quarterback's eyes and making plays on the ball. Griffin's combination of athleticism, technique, and football IQ positions him as a promising defensive back to watch in the coming seasons. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='377648' first='Ethan' last='Dunn'] | 2026 | Linebacker | Fort Smith Southside</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='377648' first='Ethan' last='Dunn'], a 5-foot-11, 230-pound linebacker, known for his aggressive and instinctive play, Dunn excels at timing his blitzes, often penetrating gaps immediately after the snap to disrupt plays in the backfield. His keen understanding of blocking schemes allows him to take effective angles, consistently stopping ball carriers at or behind the line of scrimmage. When positioned on the edge, his lateral quickness poses significant challenges for offensive tackles, making him a versatile threat across the defensive front.</p>   <p>In a notable performance against Mountain Home, Dunn recorded 15 tackles, including three for loss, and forced a fumble, showcasing his ability to impact the game significantly.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ethandunn34/status/1909730405080609162?s=61 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='204462' first='Dax' last='McMellon'] | 2026 | Quarterback | Sheridan</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='204462' first='Dax' last='McMellon'] (6-4, 215), renowned for his poise under pressure, McMellon exhibits exceptional pocket presence, maintaining composure even when facing aggressive defenses. His ability to deliver precise throws into tight windows and effectively lead receivers underscores his advanced field vision and decision-making skills. McMellon's timing on check-downs and awareness of off-side blitzers further highlight his football intelligence and adaptability on the field.</p>   <p>In the 2024 season, McMellon showcased his offensive prowess by completing 273 of 454 passes for 3,635 yards and 35 touchdowns, achieving a 60% completion rate and averaging 13.3 yards per completion . A notable performance includes a game against West Memphis, where he completed 22 of 30 passes for 352 yards and six touchdowns, leading Sheridan to a commanding 62-14 victory. McMellon's consistent high-level play has positioned him as one of Arkansas's top quarterback prospects, drawing attention from collegiate programs seeking a dynamic and intelligent signal-caller.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1649900' first='Colby' last='Castling'] | 2027 | Offensive Lineman | Fort Smith Southside</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1649900' first='Colby' last='Castling'], a 6-foot-3, 285-pound offensive lineman, is known for his impressive lateral quickness and footwork, Castling maintains excellent pad level at the point of contact, delivering solid initial force with a strong lower body push. His upper body strength is notable, often overpowering defenders and establishing a firm foundation in pass protection.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/castlingcolby/status/1909631881852616861?s=61 </div></figure>

Check out nine players across the state of Arkansas, from 2026's-2028's, all with the ability to compete and produce at the next level!