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RCS L.A.: Top defensive performers

Recruiting wrap: Pollard recently returned from Utah's spring game and his new offer from Oregon could be big. Many believe USC is still in good position for his commitment.
Performance: The best thing about Pollard's game is that he's smart and savvy and really utilizes that to get an advantage against receivers. The four-star reads what the receiver is going to do so well and then he breaks on the pass and knocks it away. Pollard also has long and active arms so he does a nice job of staying close to receivers in their routes and then harassing them even if the catch is made.
3
DB
Lamar Jackson
Elk Grove (Calif.) Franklin
Recruiting wrap: USC and UCLA still look strongest but Oregon just offered so it could get interesting. Alabama and Notre Dame are showing serious interest.
Performance: Jackson has an outstanding physical presence - he is definitely a safety or could grow into an outside linebacker - but he moves really well, too. At the line of scrimmage he's so long that he can jam receivers off the snap, then he runs with them through their routes, turns and has a knack to poke away the ball. On short routes, Jackson can come up and make things tough.
4
CB
Thomas Graham (2017)
Corona (Calif.) Eleanor Roosevelt
Recruiting wrap: Arizona State and UCLA seem to be standing out the most to Graham but he has the potential to be a national recruit soon.
Performance: Graham is super fast so receivers can never get any separation against him. On deep passes, the 2017 four-star prospect is stride for stride the whole way and rarely can receivers beat him that way. He tested himself against some of the best receivers at the event and usually won the rep. If he lost, Graham was right there and the receiver just made a nice grab. He had a great interception during one-on-ones, too.
5
CB
Jermani Brown (2017)
Calabasas, Calif.
Recruiting wrap: Brown's recruitment has picked up recently with offers from Arizona State, Boise State, Michigan State, Syracuse and others.
Performance: This was the first time seeing Brown in person and he had an impressive showing. He's bouncy, athletic and active all the time so he can jump high to pick off a pass or knock it down. What's also impressive about Brown's game is that he never gives up on a rep. Even if the receiver makes the catch, Brown is right there to try to rip it out.
6
LB
Jacob Colacion
La Habra, Calif.
Recruiting wrap: The recent offer from Arizona is important to Colacion and he has said Boise State, Washington State and others also stand out.
Performance: Colacion has shown through the 7on7 circuit his ability to stay in the middle, break up crossing routes and move sideline to sideline in pursuit of the ball carrier. On Sunday, the three-star prospect looked really impressive running with players coming out of the backfield and knocking down passes. He's not overly physical but he can stay with running backs and make catches for them really difficult.
7
CB
David Long
Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola
Recruiting wrap: Long recently called his Stanford offer "the biggest one yet" but UCLA, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Duke and others remain involved.
Performance: Long was one of the cornerbacks who really tested himself against some great receivers and he definitely won more reps than he lost. He has excellent footwork and he's super smooth in his backpedal. When he has to turn and run the four-star can do that, too. Long has to watch his hands sometimes because he holds a little bit but there's no doubt he had another nice showing.
8
CB
Keith Taylor (2017)
Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco
Recruiting wrap: Taylor is just getting started with the recruiting process and has no offers.
Performance: It's quite mind-boggling that no schools have offered Taylor yet because he's had a fantastic spring and backed it up Sunday with another great performance. For a 2017 prospect, he controls receivers at the line of scrimmage and then doesn't give up an inch along the way. He's physical and hard-nosed, athletic and rangy as well. He's got a lot to like.
9
LB
Bryce Youngquist
Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Los Osos
Recruiting wrap: Arizona State, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington State and many others remain in the mix at this point in Youngquist's recruitment.
Performance: Youngquist was not shy about taking reps - he found the front of the line and kept going over and over and over again. That competitive spirit won him the position MVP at the Las Vegas camp and he was close again on Sunday. Not many linebackers can cover in space like the four-star and even when he's a step behind he closes like nobody's business.
10
LB
Krys Barnes
Bakersfield (Calif.) Liberty
Recruiting wrap: Barnes is committed to UCLA.
Performance: Barnes is also one of those linebackers who has no problems covering in space and getting out and running with backs or receivers. The UCLA commit turns well and gets to top speed quickly but a few times let receivers get behind him for big catches. Still, it was another solid performance for one of the best linebackers in the region.
11
CB
Jack Jones
Long Beach (Calif.) Poly
Recruiting wrap: Jones said he's taking a closer look at Michigan and that Texas A&M and Oregon could offer soon.
Performance: If we're being completely honest, Jones had a miserable start to the day. He was going up against some of the best receivers and a few times got beat deep. But the four-star showed a lot of character and toughness by bouncing back later in the day and showing off his abilities, especially at corner (he also plays receiver). Jones picked off a pass, knocked down some others and proved once again he's one of the best around.
12
LB
Lokeni Toailoa
Rialto (Calif.) Wilmer Carter
Recruiting wrap: Toailoa is committed to UCLA.
Performance: Toailoa is the quintessential hard-hitting, downhill inside linebacker who loves physical play and contact. Evaluating him without pads is almost unfair because it's such a vital part of his game. But the four-star did nicely in coverage and receivers limited to short routes were quickly bottled up. Running 30 yards downfield stride for stride with speedsters isn't his game but he wasn't asked to do it much on Sunday.
13
CB
Robert Lewis
Los Angeles (Calif.) Augustus Hawkins
Recruiting wrap: UTEP is the only offer for Lewis at this point.
Performance: It was a big showing by Lewis, who oftentimes gets overshadowed by teammates with bigger reputations. But Lewis is aggressive in the right spots, he's active with his hands, he doesn't let receivers create space and once the ball is in the air, Lewis is ferocious going up and snatching it. There's no question he's being under-recruited at this point.
14
DE
Curtis Weaver
Long Beach (Calif.) St. Anthony
Recruiting wrap: Nevada, San Diego State, Washington State, Wisconsin and Wyoming have offered so far.
Performance: Weaver was the best of what could be considered an average defensive line group although he had a very strong day. He had a really swift inside spin move that he used against some bigger offensive guards and on the outside the three-star used a nice swim move to the inside. Weaver also played some tight end but it really looks like his future will be somewhere along the defensive front.
Adam Gorney
West Recruiting Analyst
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