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St. Thomas Aquinas beat American Heritage 33-22 on ESPN2. It was a close game throughout but STA (three defensive TDs) pulled away at the end. There were a bunch of P5 players on the field, including at least three legitimate 5* talents. Some quick thoughts:
- James Williams could have played for Miami on Friday night. When you watch him down-to-down, he plays with consistent passion. He started on special teams, moved everywhere on defense and didn't take snaps off. We've used the Isaiah Simmons comparison, but he also looks like a bigger Derwin James. They have similar temperaments. In the box, he was wiry strong with strong hands to fight off blockers and drag down ballcarriers. He is still raw technically and tackles high but it can be cleaned up. I saw no issues with physicality. When he lined up wide over a receiver or at deep safety, he showed tremendous acceleration and long strides to cover a ton of ground. He also looked smooth backpedaling. His football IQ will allow him to play multiple roles for Miami and we badly need his athleticism in the back 7.
- Dallas Turner looks like the next first round South Florida pass rusher. He's always been an elite athlete, but the strength and power is catching up to his frame. He had at least one sack and caused a pick 6. I love Jason Taylor as a Dolphins fan, but he's a problem for the Canes as STA's defensive coordinator. Taylor won DPOY under Saban and played a big role in 'Bama landing Turner and Braylon Ingraham.
- Mark Fletcher ('23 RB for Heritage) was just as freakish as the other two. He's listed at 6'2, 225 and might be even bigger. Fletcher is a very good RB earning Derrick Henry comps but, like Henry, will create a lot of debate over his future position. He's a smooth athlete and a devastating blocker who buried '22 DT commit Jamaal Johnson a couple weeks ago.
- Earl Little, Jr. looks the part. He didn't get tested much in this game and it's hard to get much from the TV angle.
- Something is up with Jaydon Hood at STA. He shuffled in and out of the lineup and didn't make much of a splash. His recruitment will be interesting to watch with Michigan on the ropes.
- Anthony Hankerson ('22 RB for STA) had a monster game, including juking James Williams out of his shoes on a TD. He's an elite high school runner and can be a very good runner at the college level. He's the classic squatty, laterally quick back. The issue will be his size (5'9, 185ish), as he is quicker than fast (23.84 PR in the 200M).
- Gunnar Hansen ('21 RT for STA) is taking his game to the next level. He caught my eye at the Under Armour camp with his size (6'5, 305) and feet, but he needed to improve his technique and body. His hard work and transfer to STA are paying off because he looks excellent as a senior. He committed to Vanderbilt this summer and may be better than that. He opened up some massive holes for Hankerson. Tough kid who finishes. Arrow pointing way up. @The_U_
- Tyson Russell (son of Twan Russell) is another good get for Vandy. He had a pick, a key pass breakup and looks the part of a solid P5 DB.
- Tyreak Sapp played with his usual high energy. He doesn't look to have grown much and is still a DE/DT tweener. To me, he's a good, versatile cog in a high P5 rotation.
- Boogie Silvera (brother of Nesta) is a tough box safety with some explosiveness. He blocked a kick and looks like a G5 type.
- James Williams could have played for Miami on Friday night. When you watch him down-to-down, he plays with consistent passion. He started on special teams, moved everywhere on defense and didn't take snaps off. We've used the Isaiah Simmons comparison, but he also looks like a bigger Derwin James. They have similar temperaments. In the box, he was wiry strong with strong hands to fight off blockers and drag down ballcarriers. He is still raw technically and tackles high but it can be cleaned up. I saw no issues with physicality. When he lined up wide over a receiver or at deep safety, he showed tremendous acceleration and long strides to cover a ton of ground. He also looked smooth backpedaling. His football IQ will allow him to play multiple roles for Miami and we badly need his athleticism in the back 7.
- Dallas Turner looks like the next first round South Florida pass rusher. He's always been an elite athlete, but the strength and power is catching up to his frame. He had at least one sack and caused a pick 6. I love Jason Taylor as a Dolphins fan, but he's a problem for the Canes as STA's defensive coordinator. Taylor won DPOY under Saban and played a big role in 'Bama landing Turner and Braylon Ingraham.
- Mark Fletcher ('23 RB for Heritage) was just as freakish as the other two. He's listed at 6'2, 225 and might be even bigger. Fletcher is a very good RB earning Derrick Henry comps but, like Henry, will create a lot of debate over his future position. He's a smooth athlete and a devastating blocker who buried '22 DT commit Jamaal Johnson a couple weeks ago.
- Earl Little, Jr. looks the part. He didn't get tested much in this game and it's hard to get much from the TV angle.
- Something is up with Jaydon Hood at STA. He shuffled in and out of the lineup and didn't make much of a splash. His recruitment will be interesting to watch with Michigan on the ropes.
- Anthony Hankerson ('22 RB for STA) had a monster game, including juking James Williams out of his shoes on a TD. He's an elite high school runner and can be a very good runner at the college level. He's the classic squatty, laterally quick back. The issue will be his size (5'9, 185ish), as he is quicker than fast (23.84 PR in the 200M).
- Gunnar Hansen ('21 RT for STA) is taking his game to the next level. He caught my eye at the Under Armour camp with his size (6'5, 305) and feet, but he needed to improve his technique and body. His hard work and transfer to STA are paying off because he looks excellent as a senior. He committed to Vanderbilt this summer and may be better than that. He opened up some massive holes for Hankerson. Tough kid who finishes. Arrow pointing way up. @The_U_
- Tyson Russell (son of Twan Russell) is another good get for Vandy. He had a pick, a key pass breakup and looks the part of a solid P5 DB.
- Tyreak Sapp played with his usual high energy. He doesn't look to have grown much and is still a DE/DT tweener. To me, he's a good, versatile cog in a high P5 rotation.
- Boogie Silvera (brother of Nesta) is a tough box safety with some explosiveness. He blocked a kick and looks like a G5 type.
