Today’s offensive patterns, playmakers, and for the most part the way the rules are set make it very difficult to play defensively these days. To be a defensive defender, you almost have to excel in multiple aspects of your game and the scheme.
Scouting is definitely a subjective task, and many people approach the discipline with many different perspectives and approaches. You really struggle to decipher between what a player is doing and what they’re being asked to do, and then how they plan to move forward. That’s why the more you can do and show on film, the better your chances of clearing the picture and showing for professional scouts.
This week in The hunting report, I wanted to spend some time focusing on a handful of defenders who caught my attention while watching a movie. These guys are not only versatile in their approach, but they almost immediately jump on film with the way they play ball.
For last week’s hunting report, be sure to click here.
college football
DL Brandon Omonuwa
- Year: Fifth year
- Middle School: Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario)
- Height: 6-3
- Lester: 275
For a guy who weighs only 275 pounds, Omonuwa has excellent attacking point strength. While it’s built like a technical triple, it’s played like a shadow technique, 5T and 1T, in Wilfrid Laurier’s defense and it plays very well. Omonuwa plays with great leverage, hands and is able to quickly disengage from a block and play. Next game: October 6 against Waterloo
LB Michael Ayers
- Year: Senior
- Middle School: Ashland University (Ashland, Ohio)
- Height: 6-1
- Lester: 210
Ayers reminds me a lot of 49ers safety George Odum, and I think his journey to safety is much the same. He’s a terrific athlete, your classic run-and-chase weak side defender who has great closing speed to the QB and the ball carrier. He is very comfortable in space and is paired with an above average football IQ in the passing game. During his career he was an impact player, racking up 24.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and eight pass breakups. Next game: October 8 against Walsh
S Eli Weber
- Year: Senior
- Middle School: Augustana (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
- Height: 6-0
- Lester: 205
Weber is an excellent lane defender. I really like watching him play defense. When he takes off in support of the race or when he rolls on the ball or the receiver, he takes decisive angles and his bearings are always fair and precise. He rarely misses an opportunity to make a tackle in the open field when he triggers and charges into the receiver/runner. In my opinion, he is a very good split safety, able to defend in zone coverage and always finds himself around the football. With 10 career interceptions and 29 pass breakups on his resume, it’s safe to say that the tape and the stats are marching in rhythm. Next game: October 8 vs. Upper Iowa
DL Anton Williams
- Year: Graduate student
- Middle School: Charleston Southern (North Charleston, South Carolina)
- Height: 6-2
- Lester: 252
Williams has excellent ball output for a point player. Right now, he’s playing – out of necessity – defensive end for the Buccaneers, but projecting him forward, he’d be a great point end or strong linebacker. Every snap is like the first snap for him, because he takes no play away; this is evident by his career numbers of 30 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. He is able to read, react and get back to the ball carrier. While he’s undersized for a hard-hitting defensive end, you don’t see him getting pushed around up front by bigger offensive linemen. He is able to defend himself rather well at the point of attack. I would love to see him go to one of those post-season all-star games and play exclusively with his hand on the ground. Next game: October 8 against Campbell
CB Cameron McCutcheon
- Year: Fifth year
- Middle School: Western Carolina (Cullowhee, North Carolina)
- Height: 6-2
- Lester: 200
The Catamounts have a few guys in secondary school. This week we’re going to focus on Cameron McCutcheon. What I like the most about his game is that he is a constant communicator on the backend. He is the secondary voice leader and always makes sure the guys are kept up to date on what needs to happen on any given game. In coverage, he is able to use his length extremely well and understands how to use the sideline like his friend. He has a very good press bail technique as well as a shuffle turn technique. I like how active he is in running support, using good form and technique to bring the ball carrier down. He started his career at Gardner-Webb before transferring last season to the WCU. Next game: October 8 against Mercer