Football Friday Film Session: 4/14/17
Every Friday I'll take a look at the HUDL film that's sitting in my inbox at azhsfootball@gmail.com and give an honest assessment of what I see, and/or highlight a couple of things I think you need to see.
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Ryan Bendle, QB/SB- Liberty (2018)
Bendle is a triple-option threat at the QB position, and can make plays as a pass-catcher as well. He has great acceleration and his quick decision making with the ball in his hands makes him especially dangerous. This highlight has everything (cue the Stefon SNL memes), QB draws, pitches, bubble screens, and even a double pass. Bendle gives Liberty a ton of options on the offensive side of the ball, and he should be play an exciting part of what looks to be a promising season for the Lions.
Kedon Slovis, QB- Desert Mountain (2019)
With Austin Nuessle graduated, Slovis inherits an offense that is known for producng serious results in the passing game. The highlights above are from Slovis' JV campaign, but it's easy to see why they're excited about him. The throws at 1:45, 1:59 (while taking a hit) and 2:10 (while on the run) give you a pretty good idea what he's capable of.
Quenton Turley, RB/CB- Thatcher (2019)
After seeing what Thatcher had to offer last week, I figured I'd dip back into the same well and check out a talented 2019 prospect. Turley is small, but he doesn't play like it. His entire highlight reel is filled with "how did you seriously let that little guy do that to you" moments. I highly recommend watching the first 5 plays (at least).
Jaiden Hayes, FS- South Mountain (2019)
Jaiden Hayes- the man behind the one-handed fumble scoop highlight (:40 seconds in). PUHSD players don't get much publicity, but the truth is, recruiters are happy to take a chance on them if they're athletically superior and academically qualified. Hayes, as a sophomore, displayed some of the better natural tackling ability from a safety that I've seen in his particular class. He was listed at 5-10, 155 as a sophomore, and if he bulks up (as most kids his age do), his nose for the ballcarrier might produce some serious highlights as a junior. He's now on my radar.
Hendrix Johnson (Boulder Creek) (2019)
Johnson is likely to be in the driver's seat as Boulder Creek's signal caller in 2017, and ever since his contributions in the Jaguars' 28-18 win over Horizon last season, I've had an eye on him. Much of Johnson's highlight is him scrambling for his life and working to keep plays alive, and as you can see, on several occasions, his ability to scramble created opportunities for BC. It'll be interesting to see what he's capable of if given time to throw to the more-than-capable weapons that the Jags have on the outside.
Gavin Davis, RB/CB- Pusch Ridge (2020)
It's always eyebrow raising when freshmen get reps at the varsity level, and so I'm making sure to pay attention to Gavin Davis of Pusch Ridge as he heals from the collar bone injury that robbed half his freshman year, and enters his sophomore season. You should too. And if you watch any single highlight in this post, make it the first play of Davis' HUDL film above.
Harrison Copoloff, TE/DE- Notre Dame Prep (2018)
He's got limited film because he was coming off a broken wrist last season, but I absolutely love this kid's game. If QB Kylan Weisser can take advantage of how quickly Copoloff gets off the line to find the seam, opponents are going to hate life. He's an enthusiastic blocker who uses his athleticism well, which will help Cole Fisher out of the backfield. If there was an early watch list for breakout player of 2017, Copoloff would definitely be on it.
Dante Coleman, LB- Queen Creek (2018)
Mike Young says Coleman is the best LB in Arizona's 2018 class. After seeing Coleman live a couple of times last year, and watching his film, the argument could be made. I mean, he's certainly one of the most aggressive and productive. 15 tackles for a loss and 9 sacks are hard to ignore, especially when a lot of it came against top-flight competition. The things he does very well include tackling, holding his assignment and keeping contain, and getting off of blocks when it looks like he's about to be swallowed up. Considering his height, weight, and skillset, it's not unreasonable to compare him to Wesley Payne, who played for Mountain Pointe, Mesa Community College and Pima Community College (and is now at Oregon State).
Tavian Robey and Kai Golden, DL- Marana Mountain View (2018)
Everyone's talking about Shomari Hayes and Matthew Pola-Mao as the best DL-duo in the state, and they've certainly earned that title, but don't sleep on Tavian Robey and Kai Golden at Marana Mountain View. Robey's HUDL profile says he benches 400-pounds, and I've seen Golden in person at Arizona State's junior day, he's all of the 6-3, 290-pounds he's listed at. Robey's quickness is something that absolutely jumps out when watching his highlights (I love everything about the play at 1:24), and Golden's push at the line of scrimmage is going to help MMV do some big things this season (check out the play at 1:59).
Amani Cruz, DL- Tucson (2018)
While I'd love to see Cruz have a serious uptick in production as a defensive lineman this season, the physical tools are there. He's 6-3, 260+ pounds, and when he's getting after it off the line of scrimmage, he's tough to stop. Tucson had a relatively successful 2016 season, and in order for the Badgers to take a step forward, Cruz will need to do so as well.
Ryan Langford, TE/DE- O'Connor (2018)
While there's limited film on Langford, there are some things I like on the tape that I was able to find. He gets off the ball quickly, seems to be fairly aggressive, and has great pad level. If he's been able to add to the 6-3, 215-pound frame he played with as a junior, and keep up this tenacity, he could be an impact player on both sides of the ball.
Hunter Griggs, LB- Pinnacle (2018)
2016 was an interesting year for Griggs. He had a monster game running the ball against Basha, and then made a permanent switch to defense after struggling as a RB against Centennial. On the defensive side of the ball, he seemed to find a home, registering 17 solo tackles and 6 sacks in the final 7 games of the season. He's certainly physical enough (and strong enough) to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball in 2017, but what he needs to show colleges is the ability to create turnovers and make plays in the backfield. He'll have plenty of opportunities- it's just about taking advantage.
Jonathon Williams, OT- Mountain Pointe (2019)
Williams spent the 2016 on Mountain Pointe's JV squad, which is helpful as far as getting to see more reps on his HUDL film- that 2016 varsity line at Mountain Pointe wouldn't have afforded him much playing time. In the business of recruiting, being 6-6+ and 300+ pounds is something colleges put a serious premium on. The only questions they'll ask is 1) whether he can qualify, and 2) do they have the time to do what it takes to mold him into an effective tackle. What I enjoy about Williams JV highlight reel is that it's clear he's meant for this position on the field. He clearly likes blocking, finishing blocks, and physically dominating players across from him. His challenge is going to be maintaining that level of dominance as he moves up to the next level- and to do that, he's going to need to work on his quickness and power. The weight room and the right training hold the key for Williams when it comes to multiple scholarship offers down the road.
Grant Mileski, TE/DE- Horizon (2018)
Simply put, if Mileski's production and impact increases at the pace it did from his sophomore to junior seasons at Horizon, I believe you're looking at somebody who will get some serious recruiting attention down the line, as Mark Walton of Yuma Cibola did last season. I like his willingness to block, and I like that he catches the ball away from his body.
Coming up on next week's (4/21) Friday Film Room: Red Mountain's returning defenders (plus Austin Duffy), Tate Stevens (Highland), Jayden Hoyt and Harmon Shacklette (Northwest Christian), Brandt Goodwin and Jaren Rucker (Casteel), Ryley Conoway (Deer Valley), Wade Sapergia (Mesquite), Trevor Kauer (Campo Verde), EJ Hamilton (Brophy Prep), Kaleb Seumanutafa (Apollo)
