Lasting Impressions from the #PRZProspectTourCO
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The turnout for the Prospect Tour was not quite what we expected, but it proved to be a success nonetheless. It was great to see a handful of influential college coaches in attendance as event staff and spectators.
The low number of attendees gave the prospects more opportunities to showcase their skills and improve their craft by getting more reps in drills and competitions. Each position group could only select one individual as the most valuable player, but there were many more who stood out during the event.
This article will cover five of the many talented athletes with a more informal tone than usual in hopes of providing an in-depth explanation as to why these players earned the Obi-Wan Kenobi nod of “most impressive.”
The MVP of the quarterbacks was perhaps the second-most obvious selection of the position groups behind the running backs for many reasons, but Rossner was the shot-caller who impressed me the most. Yesterday’s event was my first time seeing Rossner in action, but it will not be the last. The Dax Shepard doppelgänger ganger continued to make passes where I found myself saying, “good ball” consistently, making me want to watch him a little closer.He stands tall in the pocket, an easy task for a 6-foot-4 quarterback, and his crisp release is complemented by his ability to anticipate the break of his receiver. Rossner’s timing and ball placement enables his receiver to make the catch away from the defender and out of dangerous spots, a rarity among high school quarterbacks who have spent significant time in run-heavy programs.He does a great job at staying light on his feet, allowing him to maneuver within the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. His ability to throw off-platform without sacrificing his ball velocity and accuracy with his size is captivating, to say the least. Now that Rossner is in a situation that will allow him to showcase his passing talents following an absent junior campaign due to transferring, I fully expect his stock value as a prospect to skyrocket during a potential breakout season this fall.
Highlights
Tafoya has been on my radar since last summer due to his outstanding performance at a camp, and his display at the Prospect Tour was no different. His footwork and ability to move in any direction with explosiveness are most impressive, a testament to his time spent improving his craft during the offseason.
Tafoya is a running back who knows how to make his talents translate to the linebacker position. He does a fantastic job using his footwork and low center of gravity to his advantage on both sides of the ball. His ability to make powerful cuts, along with his strength and ball security, give him a leg up against defenders when in close proximity.
One of his many standout characteristics is his work ethic. There has yet to be a time when it seems like he is not giving every ounce of effort he has left in the tank. At 5-foot-6, he faces one of the more frustrating recruiting hurdles for prospects, but that does not mean Tafoya is not a player with next-level talents. For programs that understand the value of recruiting talent and skill before size, Tafoya is a no-brainer.
Coar stood out to me during the combine portion of the day and continued to impress throughout the event. He has an explosive first step and does a fantastic job controlling his body when changing directions. His overall speed and vision as a ball carrier also helped him stand out during the drills.
Coar is also a dangerous athlete when used as a receiving option coming out of the backfield. Once the ball is in his hands in open spaces, defenses will have a tough time trying to contain him. Coar was another fan favorite at the Prospect Tour who has solidified himself as a must-watch player this fall.
Highlights
Sears was a quarterback who transitioned to wide receiver for program personnel reasons, a switch that will prove beneficial for him and Palmer Ridge. Standing at just under 6-foot-2, Sears impressed me during his 40-yard dash when he clocked sub-4.8 seconds. It is important to note that he has the potential to run under 4.7 seconds with training for the start because he hits another gear around 15 yards.
Sears looked good during routes on air and the one-on-one competitions where he used his speed and catch radius to his advantage. Wide receivers who were once quarterbacks tend to be some of the more dangerous receiving targets because of their understanding of coverages and quarterback tendencies, putting Sears on track to be a potential sleeper.
Bernizoni caught my attention during the defensive individual drills where he displayed polished stance and start techniques. It quickly became evident that he puts time and effort into honing his skills as a free safety. He does a great job at staying disciplined with his eyes and breaking at the correct times. His ability to read the offense and flow well in coverage is built upon a solid foundation of pad level and hip flips.
During the three-on-three competition portion of the event, he continued to impress with how well he picked up threats on crossing routes. Bernizoni is a freshman from Legend who proved that he is on a path that leads him toward becoming a prospect that will make a name for himself in the state.