Summer Discoveries: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offseason is winding down, and it's time to reflect a bit on the new players I've evaluated over the past few months. This summer, I've discovered a couple of dozen defenders who've made their way into the rankings. Check out five of the most prominent discoveries! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1686403"],"_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-6887cc209aaa5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Love's got some high-level stuff. A great "discovery" at the EMU midweek MACtion camp. In reality, I should have been on [player_tooltip player_id='1686403' first='Cameron' last='Love'] far earlier. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cameron is able to out-athlete a lot of guys. Near-elite level change of direction allows for extremely quick recovery. Even if the opposing receiver runs a good route and technically beats Cameron to the spot, most QBs fail to perfectly time up the throw. That said, Cameron also has good ball skills. Lots of PBUs coming this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1298716"],"_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-6887cc209ab2c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Likely the biggest riser of this offseason. Reed was a fun watch on tape, but he completely blew people away at camps. Very rarely do we see an IDL with Reed's level of burst and initial violence. Of course, Reed has some things to work on, but the upside is unquestioned. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From an unknown prospect to an elite MAC target. Extremely rare to see! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688254"],"_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-6887cc209ab92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's extremely rare to see competitiveness show up on a highlight tape. Elliott is a competitive, chippy (in a good way) player. He cares a lot about his performance, and is absolutely locked in when playing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elliott is one of the better run-stopping safeties in the state. I know he's also been working on his pass defense, though I haven't seen enough to accurately grade him there. A little quicker reaction time and better pursuit angles will upgrade Elliott's run defense to an All-State level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has size, athletic ability, and competitiveness to be an awesome Division 1 college football player!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1649092"],"_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-6887cc209ac03"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Asher put up an incredible 2024 highlight tape and parleyed that with several impressive camp performances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a high-end speed rusher. Asher is simply too explosive for a lot of high school offensive tackles. In passing scenarios, Asher will be able to get to the QB. I fear for the teams with lower-end tackle play. Asher is going to end a lot of drives. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a run defender, Asher is quite good. Against the run, he proves that he's much more than a quick pass rusher. He consistently demonstrates an ability to take on blocks head-on, sometimes driving his blocker into the play. Excited to see more progression here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1337156"],"_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-6887cc209ac72"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Saginaw Valley State made a major splash with [player_tooltip player_id='1337156' first='Gavin' last='May'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I thought he was a MAC prospect. A MAC coach I talked to thought the same thing. Near-elite athlete, built extremely well, and checks a ton of boxes. Gavin was a phenomenal first watch at the MHSAA camp in Brighton. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gavin still has a ton of room to grow. He's still pretty raw, but upside is nearly unmatched. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->