TOP 2021 FOOTBALL RECRUIT 5'10,180 ATH MITCH CLEAVER DEAR CREEK-MACKINAW HS (IL) ALL-AMERICAN SCOUTING REPORT

TOP 2021 FOOTBALL RECRUIT

Top 2021 football recruit ATH Mitch Cleaver is one of the most athletic under the radar recruits coming out of the Midwest and has consistently been able to run a 4.52,40 yard dash, which was verified by the Dear Creek Mackinaw coaching staff.  Cleaver also was able to run a .96, 10 yard split, which proves his acceleration matches his excellent 2019 highlight's and he has freakish overall athletic combine skills, which he is able to translate to the gridiron of Illinois HS football.  Much like Top 2022 RB recruit Tyler Totora, Cleaver's combine numbers are among the elite in the nation and are comparable to NFL Draft prospects performing at the NFL Combine. Mitch's official football combine number can be found below, along with where he would have placed in the 2020 NFL Combine. Were going to make it tough on Cleaver and grade him against the 2020 NFL Combine Defensive Backs. One given factor that can be noted, is the NFL Combine is performed in a controlled environment and in ideal conditions. Check out his combine numbers and read more below. 

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COMBINE STATS
40 yard dash - 4.52 - Tied 19th 2020 NFL Combine DB's
Broad jump - 116" - Tied 21st 2020 NFL Combine DB's
Vertical - 33" Tied 23rd 2020 NFL Combine DB's
Bench press - 225 X 12 - Tied 14th 2020 NFL Combine DB's

TOP 2021 ATHLETE RECRUIT

Top 2021 athlete recruit Mitch Cleaver is a multi-purpose athlete on the gridiron of Illinois and excels in all facets of the game of American football. Cleaver has the overall skill-set and athletic attributes to be a high caliber strong safety or OLB, at the next level and could also fit into an offensive role as a running back. Mitch is able to read plays quickly and attacks the football with tenacity, grit and is a very sure tackler upon arrival. He is able to cover sideline to sideline with his 4.5 speed and is able to take on blockers with brute force, while being able to disengage to make tackles. When evaluating him as a defensive OLB/SS, you can tell he loves to play physical up in the 8 man box and will be a big time contributor on a college defensive unit at the next level. He is also a ground & pound downhill running back, who can move the chains and plow his way through oncoming tacklers. Cleaver would be an instant impact player on special teams upon arrival on campus and will be seeing an increase in his STEP ratings at College Football Today. Check out his 2019 highlight's against Leroy below and all of his game tape on Hudl by clicking HERE! 

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TOP 2021 ATH RECRUIT

Top 2021 ATH recruit Mitch Cleaver shows his agility, acceleration and closing speed starting on the third play in the film above. He proves to be a tenacious linebacker recruit when taking on lead blocks and is able to use his brute strength to disengage, while locating the ball carrier to make the tackle. He is able to stick his helmet on the football at around 1:13 into the Leroy highlight reel and dislodge the pigskin to cause a fumble. Mitch can be seen playing with a low center of gravity and is able to take out the legs of running backs, leaving them no choice but to come to a screeching halt. In the footage below against Fisher HS, Cleaver can be seen uprooting the running back on the first play and piling driving him into the turf, as he is one of the strongest 180 pound recruits in the 2021 football recruiting class. You start to see Cleaver's abilities as a running back recruit on the fourth play in the film below and how he uses his speed to get out of the edge of the defense. At around 1:11, you will see how quickly he is able to shoot the gap as a blitzing linebacker and the enormous amount of potential he portrays, as a top 2021 ATH recruit at Scout Trout Elite & College Football Today.  

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