San Diego-Southern Section: 2021 Sleepers to Get on Your Radar
The talent in Southern California is off the charts. There are so many power 5, and other FBS level kids, yet there are also some sleepers who are looking to get their name out there at any level of college…
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Continue ReadingThe talent in Southern California is off the charts. There are so many power 5, and other FBS level kids, yet there are also some sleepers who are looking to get their name out there at any level of college football. With all the uncertainty this past year, the only thing these guys can do is grind and hope for the best. Take a look at 5 sleepers to get your eye on in the San Diego section:
Jalen Punsalan, RB, Great Oak HS
Punsalan is a big play threat between the tackles or around the edges. He shows a good initial burst and accelerates through the hole. He has very good fast twitch, and is extremely shifty as he frequently makes opponents miss. Punsalan has displayed excellent lateral bounce and agility and can be one cut away from 6 points every time he touches the ball. Solid speed, but his short area quickness is impressive as he tends to set up his cuts or jukes nicely. He has shown good balance and body control to extend runs, and is also a threat in the passing game out of the backfield. They liked to utilize him in the screen game and throw him wheel routes. The talent is there, and he has room to put on size at 5’10” 160lbs. He holds massive potential and is a player to gt on your radar ASAP.
William Peterson, ATH, Serra HS
Peterson has a muscular, athletic build at 6’0″ 215 and can play almost any position on the field. His position versatility is very impressive, as he can excel at LB, Slot, RB, and SS. As a LB, he is strong at the POA and does a great job meeting ball carriers at or behind the LOS. He ha shown solid play recognition and reaction, and fills alleys well with a good striking ability. As a receiver, he lines up in the slot and is an excellent blocker on edge runs and screens as he frequently gains solid leverage to open clear paths. Peterson utilizes a good dip technique to generate a clean release against pressed up LB’s or DB’s. He has shown good route integrity and does a good job of getting back on his vertical stem, with enough speed to generate separation with solid hands.
Alexander Dixie, ATH, Montgomery HS
Dixie is a solid all around athlete and plays QB, Slot, and DB for Montgomery. As a QB, he’s primarily a wildcat type and runs the read option very well, yet he has shown some flashes of good ball placement. He has good vision as a ball carrier with a nice burst through the hole and shows solid overall speed with big play ability. At slot, he runs precise routes with a good stick at the top of his routes. He is shifty in open space with solid lateral agility to cut on a dime. At DB, he shows a solid change of direction with good recovery speed and ball skills. Dixie holds high potential and will definitely be a player to get on your radar.
Lukas Otineru, LB, Cathedral Catholic HS
Otineru is an instinctual player with excellent reaction. He recognizes opening lanes to fill them quick and often strike ball carriers behind the LOS for TFL’s. He sheds blocks very well with either finesse or power to make or involve himself in a play. Otineru does a great job pursuing to the edge or numbers on edge runs or screens to blow them up. He’s strong at the POA and a solid open field tacker. He has solid short area quickness with a high football IQ, and can transition nicely to the next level early on.
Robert Ramos, QB, Escondido HS
Ramos is a very underrated QB in the San Diego area. He moves well in the pocket and does an excellent job of keeping his eyes downfield while remaining poised. He has shown the ability to evade pressure and get solid depth to deliver accurate throws, with a solid ability to extend plays. Ramos has a fluid throwing motion with a high release with velocity and timing with his receivers. He has shown to hit tight window throws in between or over defenders on all 3 levels of throws. I would like to see him sling it deep more often, as he has shown some flashes of solid arm strength. He can pick up yards on his feet if he needs to, and is definitely a threat to take note of in 2021.