On3/Rivals: All American Showcase Top Defensive Prospects

The best prospects from the You Are Athlete Regionals faced each other at the All American Showcase in Houston. Here are some of the top Defensive prospects I watched:

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Linebacker

Linebacker Zen Williams (6-2, 225) was the best defensive player at the YouAreAthlete Nationals. Whether it was his impressive size, his lateral movement in coverage, or his consistent explosiveness during the drills, Williams was a star all weekend. Williams is a 2027 who plays at Grayson High School in Georgia. He has offers from UNVL and Colorado State.

Zander Westwood (6-3, 225) was not only selected as one of the All-Camp Linebackers, but he also won the competition for fastest linebacker. Westwood played at Wyomissing in Pennsylvania, where he made 52 tackles with one interception as a junior. One of the camp coaches said Westwood has the frame to develop into an edge rusher. He has offers from Stony Brook, University of Albany, Stonehill, and New Haven.

A player I had as one of my best overall prospects was 2028 Edge Donovan Odum (6-2, 215), who was a star at linebacker and on the defensive line. Odum was the only player at the YouAreAthlete Nationals to win the Strongest Athlete award and the Fastest Athlete award. In four games on varsity, Odum was impactful with three sacks and three tackles for loss.

Selma High School Kaden Peoples (6-2, 210) won a YouAreAthlete Camp MVP at linebacker. He has an offer from North Alabama.

Defensive Back

Kristian Ewell-Berry (5-11, 170) was my top cornerback from start to finish. He had a great day on Saturday indoors, then doubled up his MVP play the following day. The San Antonio native Ewell-Berry appeared to improve each play and was selected the YAA Defensive Back MVP.

I had 2028 Braden Jones from Bay City High School in Texas, in the running for defensive back MVP until the final reps. He battled every receiver and made several plays in coverage. Jones lists 108 tackles on his X page with an interception and three pass breakups.

All safety Cole Ackerman (5-9, 170) did was make play-after-play at the YouAreAthlete Nationals. Ackerman is an aggressive defender with speed. Ackerman, from Barber Hills, finished the season with 72 total tackles, three interceptions, six pass breakups, and four tackles for losses.

Defensive Line

The YAA Nationals Defensive Line MVP was 2027 Davonte Ferrigon from Pennsylvania. Last year, Ferrigon earned All-State honors after making 25 tackles, with 3.5 sacks, and nine tackles for loss. During the camp, he was aggressive, rushing from the interior, showing both strength and speed. He was one of the best performers on both days of the camp. Ferrigon is waiting for his first D1 offer, but has interest from D2 and D3 schools.

Rising junior Edge Emason Tui (6-2, 215) from Tampa, Florida, was one of the top pass rushers. Last season, he finished with six sacks and 13 tackles for loss and a pick. Tui has multiple D1 offers, including SMU and Tulane, and he was singled out and invited to play in the US Army Bowl Game at the YAA National Showcase.

Edge Trenton Gibbs (6-1, 215) from Murfreesboro, Tennessee has offers from Purdue and East Carolina. He was an All-Region selection as a freshman. He should continue to gather Power 5 offers and be a star-rated recruit.

Christian Shaw (6-3, 260) is a rising junior from Desoto Central in Mississippi. He has been a top edge at two camps I have seen him in. The lack of game film could be hurting his recruitment, but he hopes to showcase his skill set during Summer recruiting camps.