Photo by: National Underclassmen Football Combine
Barry's Top Performers - The Defense - NUC Five Star Central Showcase
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Springfield, Illinois - The National Underclassmen made their seventh stop on an eight city tour for the Five-Star Showcase. Approximately 110 athletes made the trip to Sacred Heart-Griffin, IL to compete in front of the watchful eyes of NUC CEO/President Dave Schuman. The athletes could have not asked for a better facility to show off their football skills. Below are the top defensive performers on the day as seen by NUC National Analyst Barry Every. |
 | Khairi Bailey, Julian, IL (2013) Official Size: 6-3-1/2, 234 Assets: Bailey possesses excellent overall body structure with very long arms ideal from becoming a strong side defensive end at the next level. He proved to be quick off the ball while using his arms and hands to keep offensive lineman off his body. Bailey worked very hard on his technique as a pass rusher appearing very eager to learn and produce for his positional coach. Development: He needs to be more consistent with his pad level at the point of attack. A good regime of agilities will also help improve his lateral movement. Offers: Northern Illinois and Western Michigan |
 | Demetrius Cooper, Julian, IL (2013) Official Size: 6-5-1/2, 203 Assets: This tall drink of water possesses the ideal height, and length for a week side defensive end. Cooper was quick off the snap using his long arms to reach around the offensive lineman and dispense of them. He also proved to have an excellent counter move stepping outside then quickly darting inside and under the arms of the would-be blocker. His speed was just to dominate to go unnoticed as he walked away with the DL MVP award. Development: The obvious are of improvement is to adding about 25 pounds of overall muscle mass. This should help him battle the athletic left offensive tackles he will face at the next level. Cooper at times danced too much leaving his bread basket exposed to the hands of the offensive lineman. Offers: Northern Illinois |
 | Gelen Robinson, Lake Central, IN (2014) Official Size: 6-1, 232 Assets: Robinson has the physical attributes that will make him the ideal hybrid LB/DE at the next level. His body structure looks very muscular with long arms and the room to easily add more muscle mass. He proved to be the other elite speed rusher in this camp as he was quick off the ball. He does a nice job of using his hands and playing with good pad level at the point of attack. He definitely was under consideration for DL MVP in this camp. Development: Is he a standup defensive end or outside linebacker? This requires moving in space and developing a smooth balanced backpedal. If he is going to play defensive end while having an impact at the BCS level he will need to add about 20 pounds of muscle mass over the next two years. |
Linebackers
 | Tony Lashley, Rockhurst, MO (2013) Official Size: 6-0-1/2, 226 Assets: Lashley may have had the best overall body structure of any linebacker in this camp. He possesses muscular legs, a lean upper body, and very long arms. During individual work it was hard not to notice how easily he flipped his hips and got vertical. He definitely has the speed and lateral quickness to chase plays sideline to sideline. During the one-on-ones he was able to jam running backs at the line of scrimmage with his long arms taking them off their intended routes. His superior effort earned him LB MVP in a deep and talented group. Development: I would like to see him work on his ball skills which would turn him into a difference maker. Adding upper body mass will also help him bounce around the tackle box at the next level. I really think he has the makings of an athletic inside linebacker. |
 | Brendyn McKinnon, Crown Point, IN (2014) Official Size: 6-1-1/2, 220 Assets: He is a high pocketed linebacker with long arms and a frame that can easily hold more weight. McKinnon gobbles up huge chunks of real estate with his long elegant stride. He is also very physical at the point of attack using his size and strength to man handle smaller running backs. Not only was he the most talented underclassmen linebacker in the camp he was given consideration for the overall LB MVP award by Coach Schuman. Development: He needs to work on his lateral movement and change of direction. This will help him track down ball carrier sideline to sideline. McKinnon will need to work on hip and knee flexibility. |
 | Reggie Spearman, Simeon, IL (2013) Official Size: 6-2, 219 Assets: Spearman came late from another sporting event he participated in earlier in the day. But he jumped right into the last half of individual position work showing off his lateral quickness and superior straight ahead speed. He also took a couple reps at the lineman one-on-ones proving to be too quick for the offensive tackles to get a hold of. During the linebacker/running back one-ones he worked at covering tight ends, running backs, and receivers. He really passes the eyeball test and could turn out to be the ideal hybrid LB/DE in college. Development: If he wants to project as an outside linebacker at the next level he will need to work on staying low and balanced in his backpedal. Spearman needs to also improve the speed in which he flips his hips in order to run stride for stride with running backs. Offers: Ball State, Indiana, Toledo, and Western Michigan |
Defensive Backs
 | Christopher Thompson, Voise Academy, IL (2014) Official Size: 5-9, 179 Assets: Thompson has long arms and a very solid build for the corner position. He was physical at the point of attack rerouting receivers from their intended patterns. His hips were on a swivel as he turned keeping one hand gently on the receivers waist then ran stride for stride keeping pace. No one took more reps at defensive back than this camp workhorse. I would say 75% of the time he made the quarterback hold the ball more than four seconds. Thompson really came with his "A" game and was rewarded with the DB MVP award. Development: The biggest area I would like to see him improve upon is his ball skills. That is what is keeping him from becoming that true cover corner that is a difference maker. College coaches are looking for guys that can change the momentum of a game with a pick. |
Karl Finkel, LB, Lakeview North, MN (2013); Pierre Gee-Tucker, LB, Belleville West, IL (2013); D.J. Spurling, LB, Slinger, WI (2013); Michael Tannehill, LB, Helias Catholic, MO (2014).
No comments:
Post a Comment