Film Room Fridays (5/13)- Top Defensive Submissions of the Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to Film Room Fridays!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this installment, we are looking at some of the recent submissions we have received from prospects on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, feel free to send your tape to us @PrepRedzoneAL and @CooperMorreale on Twitter/X for a chance to be featured! We are always trying to grow our coverage and community here on the site!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1674290"],"_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-6823b588cf2d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1674290' first='Alex' last='Plaia'] is a destructive LB out of John Carroll who sent us some impressive tape from last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plaia is a tackling machine who uses his speed and instincts to quickly cover lots of ground and come up with huge stops. He's a force against the run who fights off blockers at the line of scrimmage to make tackles for loss or little gain.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm really impressed with his tackling- he's a high-effort defender who makes some incredible hustle plays in pursuit, and doesn't allow for any extra yards after he's made contact. It's clear that Plaia is a huge piece of his team's defense- it'll be exciting watching his senior year this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plaia put together some great film last fall, check him out down below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16581911/67323a5b2d1f23f3e9fd1223' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68262e5fded55"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1671422"],"_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-6823b588cf383"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1671422' first='Xzavier' last='Wright'] is an incredibly reliable nickel out of Gadsden City who made some huge plays in their secondary last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wright is a versatile defender who can do so many things well at his position. He's really consistent in coverage and has great ball skills he uses to track passes and force PBUs and INTs. Wright is also a trustworthy run defender who can fly downhill to deliver some huge hits to the ball carrier, eliminating big gains on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can even see Wright's value on special teams- he consistently finds and brings down the returner to put his defense in good starting field position. I'm excited to see what Wright can do in his senior year- he's a well-rounded prospect with some really great traits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wright is a talented player with a big season ahead, check out some of what he did last season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17632135/671daeb2cd261424daba061a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68262e5fdee1c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1674328"],"_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-6823b588cf3e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ronald Poole Jr. is a talented EDGE out of Murphy who produced at a high level last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you are a quarterback facing Poole this fall- watch out for him, he's a talented pass rusher with a ton of different moves who can make your life a lot more difficult. Poole is relentless in his effort- he has a high motor, impressive speed/power, and a deep bag he uses to beat OTs to get to the quarterback and make plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poole is just as talented against the run- he's great in pursuit and has the athleticism to win at the line of scrimmage and force stops for loss/little to no gain. It doesn't matter what you're trying to do as an offense, you better have Poole circled- he's a talented EDGE with a huge senior year ahead. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poole ended his junior season with 50 total tackles (14 for loss) and 7 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out some of his tape from last season below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17813021/672a9e3d1f77c3051f192d25' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"center","mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682634f720ac6"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1674338"],"_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-6823b588cf430"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1674338' first='Demaron' last='Dunklin'] is a talented LB/EDGE out of Saraland who was a big piece of his team's defense last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although Dunklin can make plays on and off the line of scrimmage, he dominates upfront at EDGE. Dunklin is explosive off the snap, has violent, active hands, and finds ways to make ridiculous plays in pursuit nearly every snap. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dunklin sheds blocks off like they're nothing, his hands are ridiculously fast, and when you pair that with his size, speed, and power, he's going to find a way into the backfield. Once he's in the backfield, good luck- he's a high-effort defender who hustles after QBs and RBs behind the line to make some seriously impressive plays for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last fall, Dunklin recorded 64 total tackles (21 for loss), 5 sacks, 12 hurries, and 2 PBUs/FRs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dunklin was really productive last season, check out some of his film below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17852809/6758b72a885f829d9d22ecec' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682634f720b43"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1674350"],"_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-6823b588cf494"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1674350' first='Quinton' last='Atkins'] is a talented EDGE out of Jacksonville who had a productive season last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atkins is a really well-rounded EDGE who can make a big impact as a pass rusher. He's really quick on his feet and can overwhelm OTs with his speed, quickly making his way into the backfield to generate pressure and take down the quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atkins is just as talented against the run- he can set the edge, collapse rushing lanes, and pursue after the ballcarrier for some impressive hustle stops behind the LOS. Atkins has even made an impact for his team's ST unit- he really caught my attention with his fake punt stop last season, it's clear he's a highly instinctual player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atkins ended last season with 40 total tackles (13 solo, 3 for loss), 3 sacks, 2 PBUs, and 1 FF/FR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atkins had an impressive sophomore season you can check out below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19517925/673603ae5574b294591a1622' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682634f720bab"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1674355"],"_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-6823b588cf4df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1674355' first='David' last='Lott'] is a talented FS out of UMS Wright who is coming off one of his best years yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lott is a hybrid safety who can make huge plays against the run and pass. Lott is a highly instinctual and athletic playmaker over the top of his team's secondary. He's quick to react, flies around the field, and is constantly in position to break up and intercept passes downfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm extremely impressed with Lott's run support- he flies downhill and pursues after the RB to create massive stops down near the line of scrimmage. He takes great pursuit angles and is a talented tackler who wraps up and eliminates big plays in the open field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lott had a great season last fall, check out some of his film below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17677953/67315162ee297d02d41d5cc5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682634f720c2f"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->