Pat Fitzgerald and the Northwestern Wildcats did some work in Ohio in 2023.  As we’ve already spoke about Michael Kilbane Michael Kilbane 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL St. Edward | 2023 State OH , Fitzgerald also came to Ohio for Safety Joshua Fussell Joshua Fussell 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lakota East | 2023 State OH .  Lakota West has put out several D1 P5 defensive backs over the last couple of years including Malik West who we talked about yesterday and is heading to Ohio State.  At 6’0 180 pounds Fussell has good size and length and a frame he’ll be able to continue to add good weight too.  When you watch Josh’s film the first thing, I see is a player who has really good hips and feet.  He’s smooth in changing directions.  He takes good angles to the ball and does a great job of playing the ball rather than the man.  While he’s not a big DB he isn’t afraid to play in the box and put his nose in there and sniff out run plays.  I really think Josh is a guy who the Wildcats will be able to put in centerfield as a single high safety and let him take away anything deep.

Joshua Fussell Joshua Fussell 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lakota East | 2023 State OH is the number 3 DB and the 16th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. The future Northwestern Wildcat plays as a CB. Against the pass, he shows good hip fluidity as he turns and bails in zone coverage. He displays very good play speed as he stays in phase with the XWR while keeping his eye on the QB. He tracks the ball well in the air and shows good hands as he comes away with the interception. Against the run, he quickly reads run/pass and shows very athletic ability in pursuit. He squares his shoulders and exhibits good explosiveness as he brings down larger RB with ease behind the LOS for a TFL.