Cornerback / Saf
Boundary - CB1
Andrew Booth - is one of my favorites in the class. Super aggressive in run support. Attacks. Divebombs like a missile blowing up screens & plays behind the los. Physical taking on blocks. Isn't happy to win a stand still battle. Athlete with a lots of attitude. Long arms. Great feet. 6'/200 with pretty decent hips, decent cod. One of the better prospects at playing the ball. Doesn't freak out, stays claim & usually always times it up right. Isn't twitchy or a true burner but more than enough speed. Efficient quick clean feet, smooth coming out his breaks. A bit inconsistent at the top. Some great reps in press that woe you lots of "wow" plays all around.
Trent McDuffie - is another one I love. Some of the plays he makes are unbelievable. High IQ, high effort prospect that makes plays all over field in different areas. 24/7 effort. One of the better guys at playing both man & zone. C1, C3, obviously experience in Cloud. Very adapt, can adjust in difficult situations. Tough run defender that comes correct when blitzing the QB. All the UW DB's are tough & expected to contribute in run support. Esp outside runs, flat area. Plus tackling ability some of the best in the class. I remember always being impressed with Myles Bryant in that area. They had some ridiculous prospects over the last few years. Duffy is a bit of a water bug out there very light on his feet & nimble. Short area quickness & lateral ability stand out in man along with his tracking ability. I think McDuffie is plug n play. Maybe never elite but really F'n good! I also think he could be money in the slot on 3rd downs.
Kaiir Elam - has some potential to be a steal imo esp if he drops out the 1st RD. Prototype size 6'2/195 with what looks to be 32" arms? Length shows up in press. In zone taking up space. Deflecting passes. Elam is a former 3 sport athlete with NFL bloodlines (father & uncle) & all that shows up. Top tier instincts, ball skills & IQ. Plus in press coverage. Hands are a bit inconsistent but when on & touches you it's usually a W for him. Some of the smoothest hips & cod in the class. Half turn is effortless in zone. He's got several pro ready skills with tons of traits.
Other names to know ...
Cam Taylor-Britt - if we're heading to more zone he might be in our future. More productive when his eyes are on the play. Smooth half turn & transitions. Tough, physical prospect with plus ball skills & route recognition. Great knack for timing up a rec & always plays through the ball. He's probably struggle against quicker twitcher WR's in the league but he's a good athlete with good foot speed. Instincts & route recognition in zone standout. Closes in on underneath routes like a boss. Comes with full force in run support or snuffing out a WR. He's got leadership qualities & brings energy to the field. Tough in press but feet fall flat on occasion. Good hand placement & strength. Low pedal. Stays square. Football player through & through. Played QB in HS. Versatility in the secondary to contribute in several areas.
Roger McCreary - has PTP written on him. So much of this position comes down to testing - if you can't run & stay with WR's, you can't play. McCreary looks sufficient in that area & should test well. Love his competitive & mental toughness. He's consistently gone up against the best in the country & performed very well. Very patient prospect that trust his technique & instincts. Doesn't panic or lose his **** if he's beat. Loves mixing it up with the best of 'em. Really good at using the sidelines to his advantage, same for red zone. Very aware of the situation, where he is. Down & distance. Very good in man & zone.
Coby Bryant - bro played in the league for a few years. Another possibility if we're moving to more zone. Very comfortable in C3 playing a 1/3. Position & angles are always sound throughout the route. Plays a little deep at times. Spacing is good for the most part though especially on underneath, routes in the flat. Tracking & ball skills are legit, he's a playmaker with the ball in the air. Tackling technique could improve, want to is there. Has the right attitude & work ethic you want. 45 INT/PD, 4 FF. Team captain.
More names ...
Derion Kendrick, Martin Emerson, Alontae Taylor & Tariq Woolen
Slot
Daxton Hill - versatility, smarts, leadership qualities - just the way he carries himself reminds me of DMC. Slot, outside, single high, hybrid backer, man-zone. He's effective almost everywhere. Great athlete with NFL speed / closing speed, COD & quickness in a small area. He's like a QB on defense - talks & sets up his guys pre-snap. Plus route recognition with sharp eyes reading the QB. Impact in run support. Can blitz off the edge.
Kyler Gordon - I'll include him here bc of his versatility & ability to play in the slot. Quite the athlete & will test well in most areas, it shows up on tape. 6'/200 tough, wants to get involved in run support & isn't afraid to get dirty. His demeanor, short area agility, tackling ability & IQ seem like a prefect fit in the slot. Aggressive with good size & strength. Enough of a size advantage there but also the athletic ability to hang with quicker players. Has enough length just has to learn how to use it in press. He's a year or two away imo. Has to gain more experience in man & work on his patience.
Other names to know ...
Marcus Jones - one of the more quicker DB's in the class. Very good return abilities. He's a playmaker with the ball in his hands. Quick efficient clean footwork. Has played everywhere in the secondary but he's a slot-only prospect next level bc of his lack of size/height. Over aggressive at times but can handle man coverage, option routes in the MOF but his lack height will come into play at times. He's an athlete that can move, turn, run with most.
Jalen Pitre - versatile prospect that has played as a hybrid backer / star position. Very good athlete that can handle multiple duties / positions bc of athletic makeup. Although he is better the closer he is to the los. Can sink & explode out of his breaks. Really good COD. Plus ball skills that knows what he's doing when the ball is in the air. Really puts in the work getting to the QB when blitzing. Very good in run support - takes proper angles & flys to the ball. Fearless but needs better tackling technique. Looks like he could handle covering TE.
More names ...
Kerby Joesph
Saf
Jaquan Brisker - best Saf in the class after Hamilton. Dynamic skill set that allows him to make an impact everywhere from the back end to behind the los. Day 1 box defender that can erase the shallow zone one minute & fire through an OL to pressure the QB next. Physical knows how to use his hands, which gaps to attack. Has some range & can make an impact deep but you'll have to live with some limitations (disguising him back there will be limited) VG tracking ability. He's very good at reading the QB's eyes but always not afraid to peel off to make a play.
Greg Eisworth - very smart player that's like an extra coach out there. Fearless in run support that sniffs out screens, stretch plays, misdirection & motion. SS/Box/Overhang player that can make a QB pay if he's sloppy. Could & should probably bulk up a little. Always chirping & talking to his teammates. Definitely an option for 3 Saf looks. Really good route recognition in the short/intermediate parts of field. Team captain.
Lewis Cine - smart player that shuts down the MOF, flat area, underneath zone. Click n close ability with little hesitation. Plus instincts, sharp eyes & anticipation. Everything registers quick from mental to physical. Good tracking ability & can mirror steps with some WR's. Big leader on UG defense.
More names ...
Bryan Cook
