Emerging Prospects: 7 defensive prospects who could earn a Florida State offer

NOTE: The Emerging Prospects series is officially.back’s personal evaluations of lesser-known and emerging recruits. OB’s evaluations are a good look at less publicized names, and Tomahawk Nation enjoys adding his unique perspective to the conversation and highlighting these prospects.

In the recruiting world, there are names you know and then there are names you need to know. I carry a personal, yet enjoyable, responsibility of introducing guys deserving that recognition, whether it’s shedding light on up-and-comers, discovering potential stars, and/or ranking prospects who are unranked, inaccurately ranked (in my personal opinion), or don’t have a recruiting profile at all.

Which brings me back to the Emerging Prospects series. Over the years, I’ve discussed dozens of prospects in the recruiting threads, some who went on to have successful college careers. Now, does that mean they all had illustrious careers? By no means. However, I’m proud of my hit-rate, which I manage by keeping tabs of every recruit I’ve discussed.

The Emerging Prospects series is my way of shedding light and giving shine to prospects that are not well-known commodities - yet. Some end up getting big, coveted offers, while others wear the title of “mystery recruit” to a particular school’s fan-base. There are many individuals who never get major offers, but are highly productive at smaller schools and end up on NFL rosters.

Below is my list of seven emerging defensive prospects for the 2021 class (who may or may not earn that coveted FSU offer).

Jaden McBurrows

5’10, 165 lbs

St. Thomas Aquinas, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

247 Composite: 0.8638

Projected position: Cornerback

Watch for yourself: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12693832/5df7938c0dca7710fc33d2db

Jaden’s popularity will grow, undoubtedly. McBurrows lacks elite size, but just does everything right. Most importantly, he is instinctive and understands how offenses want to attack. Does a great job in press coverage and off man coverage. Versatile enough to play any position in the secondary and physical at the point of attack. Just how good is he? Just this year alone, he’s picked up offers from Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, Miami, and Maryland. McBurrows is one of the few recruits on this list that already holds an FSU offer.

Khristian Zachary

6’3, 245 lbs

Carrollton High, Carrollton, GA

247 Composite: 0.8678

Projected position: Defensive end

Watch for yourself: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9691907/5def0a66a676b40e38f77b81

Some will recall I (along with others on the recruiting team) discussed Will Anderson before he blew up and ended as the top prospect at his position. Well, my thoughts about Zachary are not much different. Zachary brings explosion to the position and will be a terror off of the edge. The kid is quick off the edge and gets into the backfield with ease. Can rush the QB and easily convert to playing the run.

How good are his pass rushing skills? The kid had 20 sacks and 42 TFL as a true freshman. Since, he has filled in his frame and only improved and become more polished. Many of the heavy hitters have reached out to him with an offer in the recent months; his offer sheet is growing and includes Alabama, Oklahoma, and Georgia. I fully expect him to finish as one of the Top 10 WDEs in the country and contend for the overall top WDE spot.

Sirad Bryant

6’1, 184 lbs

Crisp County, Cordele, GA

247 Composite: 0.8678

Projected position: Safety

Watch for yourself: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9973019/5c06ca1690f8d007a0430262

Bryant’s profile lists him as a wide receiver and corner, but I think that his future is at safety. Not the flashiest prospect, but is certainly one of the most effective. Where Bryant wins is with consistency. Bryant is sound in coverage, physical in run support, and aggressive in attacking the ball. Carries an excellent frame with the ability to add good weight, while maintaining athleticism. This is another prospect with a huge upside that I expect to receive a lot of offers later in the year.

Boaz Saint-Vil

6’2, 341 lbs

St. Thomas Aquinas, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

247 Composite: 0.8065

Projected position: Defensive Tackle

Watch for yourself: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10956760/5df69e9015f59709d8aa5d43

Saint-Vil displays an explosion not seen from many DTs, let alone defensive ends. What is even more impressive is the weight at which he able to move. Displays low, powerful base and great agility at this size. Decent hands, but consistently finds his way in the backfield. After watching his film, you can see how difficult it is for lineman to get set before Saint-Vil is already engaging. Saint-Vil reminds me of Robert Cooper and Derrick Nnadi, but may even be a tad more athletic than them both in high school. Saint-Vil also holds an FSU offer and looks primed for a huge senior season.

Jordan Oladokun

5’11, 185 lbs

Gaither High, Tampa, FL

Projected position: Cornerback

Watch for yourself: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11269460/5de47033ff01bd0c9cf30f9f

Jordan Oladokun reminds me of a throwback Mickey Andrews cornerback: an athlete first, a corner second. Oladokun has a tremendous ability to take a interception back to the house anytime that he touches the ball. I wrote about him back in Jan and I still think he is talented enough to make my Top 7 list. He’s definitely versatile to play corner or safety and would thrive at either position. He does not have an offer from FSU yet, but did visit FSU back in February. Look for the interest to grow between the two parties.

Shyheim Brown

6’1, 185

Columbia High, Lake City, FL

Projected position: Safety

Watch for yourself: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10005550/5dd352cfab92e20740b75052

The phrase that immediately jumps to mind when I watch Shyheim Brown’s film is “talented but raw”. Again, this is another prospect that has a huge ceiling, but needs time to mature and put it all together. A little more twitch, a little more physicality, becoming more instinctive, etc. This is exactly the type of prospect that gets under-recruited, needs time and proper coaching to develop, but goes on to have a successful college career. If Brown can manage to put it all together in his senior season, FSU may make a move on him.

Dylan Rosiek

6’1, 210 lbs

East Lake, Tarpon Springs, FL

Projected position: Inside LB

Watch for yourself: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10316846/5d754d17a677ed0db4c8f8c0

What does 117 tackles, 6 FF, 6 sacks, 1 int get you? An appearance on my Top 7 Emerging Prospects list. What is more impressive is his numbers only tell half the story. You can tell that Rosiek has been well coached and constantly does the little things right. He plays with good leverage, gap awareness, and technique.

A good tackler in the open field and disciplined in dropping in his zone reads. Does a great job in angle-pursuit, while denying the cutback to the ballcarrier and physical at stopping the play. At the present time Rosiek is not rated, but I think that he rates as a 4 star player, probably around the 91-92 range. I expect colleges to start making a move on him as coaches evaluate more film.

Seminole fans, who do you think has the greatest chance of emerging from my list? Are there prospects you feel are ready to emerge or deserve more hype? Comment below!