Case File No. 37: Cooper Flagg

 

Cooper Flagg. Photo Credit: Gregory Payan/AP.

Today, I open the case file of Cooper Flagg, a five-star recruit who has committed to Duke. He led his high school to their eighth national title, and was ranked the third best prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.

Position: Small forward 

HT: 6-9 WT: 205

College: Duke 

Class: Freshman 

Credentials:

National High School Player of the Year (2024)

Strengths:

-Can shoot on all levels 

-Can score in multiple ways 

-Good ball handler 

-Absorbs contact and finishes when attacking the basket 

-Able to maintain his dribble through traffic and when defenders get into his body 

-Runs the floor 

-Very good shot blocker

Weaknesses:

-Thin frame 

-Dribble looks languid at times 

Final Analysis:

Cooper looks the part of a Top Three recruit. There wasn't much I saw that I didn't like. He can shoot on all levels: off the dribble, spotting up, pull-ups, and coming off screens/picks.

He can create his own shot, usually using jab steps to create separation. He's able to absorb contact and finish when attacking the basket.

Very good ball handler, he's able to maintain his dribble through traffic and make plays. Although he looks to score most of the time, he is a capable passer with good vision and timing.

An aggressive shot blocker, quite often I saw him rotating to block shots or chase down blocks. 

Like most shot blockers, he tends to fall for pump fakes and head fakes. He has a thin frame, and while this might not be much of an issue in college, players will look to overpower or bully ball him at the next level.

His dribble looks sluggish and lazy at times, as if he's just going through the motions. That he needs to be mindful of because occasionally falling asleep, so to speak, can get him trouble at the next level where there are more aggressive defenders.

Considered to be one of the top prospects for next year's NBA draft, with his length, versatility, and being able to score at a high level consistently, I wouldn't be surprised if he's a one-and-done player after this upcoming season.

Case File No. 36: Trevor Lawrence

 

Trevor Lawrence. Photo Credit: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images.

Today, I open the case file of Trevor Lawrence, who recently became the highest paid player in the NFL. Despite the numbers, he has had an okay start to his career. There has been talk of him being a bust. I'll give my take on that later.

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars 

Position: Quarterback 

HT: 6-6 WT: 220

Credentials:

Pro Bowl (2022)

CFP Champion (2018)

2x First-team All-ACC 

Strengths:

-Resilient 

-Good poise in the pocket 

-Quick release 

-Makes tough throws 

-Very good arm strength 

-Can make plays with his feet 

Weaknesses:

-Turnover prone 

-Will force some throws 

-Doesn't always protect the ball 

-A bit inconsistent 

Final Analysis:

Trevor has the size (6-6, 220) that most coaches covet. Not prone to injury, but if injured, will usually play through it. I think his pocket presence is pretty good. He goes through his progressions and gets the ball out of his hands quickly.

He's very good at making tough throws, fitting balls into tight windows, completing passes in awkward positions. Has very good arm strength, with nice placement on his deep throws. Can make plays from the pocket as well as with his legs.

His biggest issue is the turnovers. He will force throws at times, and I think that's part of what leads to the interceptions, but he also doesn't always protect the ball the way he needs to, which leads to strip sacks.

Despite having pretty good numbers overall, Trevor has had an okay start to his career. He guided the Jaguars to their first playoff win since 2018 in comeback fashion, but regressed a little last season.

He has been hot and cold so far; the aforementioned comeback playoff victory is another example of that. He threw three interceptions in the first half, which was part of how the Los Angeles Chargers took an early lead, but bounced back in the second half to guide the Jaguars to a seemingly improbable victory.

There's a lot to like about Lawrence's game, he just needs to be more consistent and smarter with the ball. Right now, I think he's overhyped, but I don't think he's a bust. However, I think he has the upside to live up to the first overall pick status. 

Case File No. 35: Jordan Travis

Jordan Travis. Photo Credit: Joshua Bessex/Getty Images.

 

 

Today, I look into the case file of Jordan Travis. A fifth round pick by the New York Jets, I think he would've went higher if it weren't for his injury.

Team: New York Jets 

Position: Quarterback 

HT: 6-1 WT: 200

Credentials:

ACC Player of the Year 

ACC Offensive Player of the Year 

First-team All ACC 

Strengths:

-Respected leader 

-Poised in the pocket

-Accurate 

-Has the arm strength to make most throws

-Can make plays from the pocket and with his feet

Weaknesses:

-A bit undersized 

-Injury prone

-Occasionally escapes the pocket too quickly

Final Analysis:

Jordan has an effortless way he quarterbacks the game, and that's something you can't teach. He has poise, usually able to make throws in the face of pressure, and he's accurate. He doesn't have a rocket arm, but he can make most throws.

He can beat you from the pocket as well as with his legs. He had the respect and admiration of his teammates, and I think it was mostly due to his resiliency and overcoming adversity.

Listed at 6-1, 200 pounds, he's a bit undersized for the position, and he has had occasions where he escaped the pocket too soon. I think both of these are part of what led to him being plagued with injuries, having a small frame and sometimes taking hits that he shouldn't have.

Overall, I think he's an underrated talent who would've been at least a third round pick if it wasn't for a season-ending injury late last season. As I've mentioned in my 747 blog, he's in a perfect situation, sitting behind Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor for a year or so, which gives him time to learn and develop and recover from his injury. He just need to get stronger and polish a few areas. I think he will be ready to take over as the leader of New York when his time comes.

Case File No. 34: Domantas Sabonis

Domantas Sabonis. Photo Credit: The Canadian Press.

Today, I open the case file of Domantas Sabonis. A walking double-double, some nights a triple double, he's the son of Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis, and "Domas" could join him there someday if he continues to play at the level he's playing.

Team: Sacramento Kings

Position: Center/ Power Forward 

HT: 6-10 WT: 240

Credentials:

3x All-Star

2x All-NBA Third Team

2x NBA rebounding leader 

Strengths:

-Strong post player

-Very good ball handler 

-Excellent passer

-Excellent rebounder

-Good mid-range game

Weaknesses:

-Foul prone

-Not the best defender 

-Shaky free-throw shooter 

Final Analysis:

One of the few who still utilizes the low post game, this is perhaps Domantas' greatest asset, taking advantage of his size and strength with an array of low post moves.

A good ball handler for a big man, this is another method he uses to attack the basket. Also known as one of the best passing big men, he has good court vision and timing with his passes, especially from the high post. Combined with his ball handling, he plays a point center role similar to Nikola Jokic.

An excellent rebounder on both ends, he has led the league in rebounding in back-to-back seasons.

As a shooter, his strength is from mid-range. He can make shots from beyond the arc, but it's not his forte.

Although he's not as bad as he was when he played for the Pacers, he still struggles with staying out of foul trouble. 

He has been heavily criticized for his defense. I started to put an asterisk here because I know he's not a great defender, but the games I watched when he played for Indiana, he gave effort on that end, I didn't see a lot of players abusing him, so to speak.

He's inconsistent at the stripe. He goes on streaks where he'll make 10 in a row, then miss four out of his next five.

Domantas has become one of the best big men in the league. He can play the center and power forward positions, but I think he's better at the 5.

Case File No. 33: Jason Moore

Jason Moore (6). Photo Credit: Scott Taetsch/Washington Post.

Today, I dive into the file of 2023 Ohio State recruit, Jason Moore. He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school in 2023. He finished as a Top 100 player in the 247 Sports rankings, and the No. 2 player in the state of Maryland. He didn't play his Freshman year--my analysis will be based off his high school tape--but I'm sure he's looking to change that moving forward.

Position: Defensive End

HT: 6-6 WT: 305

College: Ohio State 

Class: Sophomore 

Credentials:

Top 100 player in 247 Sports rankings 

Rated 6th best defensive lineman (2023)

Ranked 2nd best player in Maryland (2023)

Strengths:

-Specializes in bull rushing

-Disruptive against the run

-Elite, non-stop motor

-Relentless effort, won't give up on plays

-Can line up on the inside or as an edge rusher

Weaknesses:

-Doesn't have an array of pass rush moves

-Needs to work on basic techniques

-Hand usage was adequate at times

 

-Sometimes struggles to shed blocks when the lineman gets in his pads

Final Analysis:

There were plays where he pushed the lineman back into the quarterback or running back. A non-stop motor and relentless effort, he won't give up on plays. Hustled to make tackles after the running backs reached the second level. Has the versatility to line up on the inside or as an edge rusher.

Needs to work on basic techniques and adding more pass rush moves. Hand usage was adequate at times, and he sometimes struggles to shed blocks when the lineman gets in his pads.

A very good player with a high ceiling. His lengthy frame reminds me of Julius Peppers. He can line up as a 4-3 end or as an edge rusher in the 3-4, but is better suited as an end. Doesn't have enough burst to consistently rush off the edge. Can be dominant with the right coaching.

Case File No. 32: Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa. Photo Credit: Associated Press.

Today, I open the case file of Tua Tagovailoa. He has had his share of accomplishments as well as criticism in his young career, but I think he's coming along and is gradually playing up to the fifth overall pick status.

Team: Miami Dolphins

Position: Quarterback

HT: 6-1  WT: 227

Credentials:

NFL passing yards leader (2023)

Pro Bowl (2023)

NFL passer rating leader (2022)

CFP champion (2017)

First-team All-SEC (2018)

Strengths:

-Accurate passer

-Great character

-Good pocket presence

-Accurate, very good timing and anticipation 

-Makes plays with his feet when he needs to

Weaknesses:

-Arm strength isn't ideal

-Injury prone

-Will telegraph his throws at times 

Final Analysis:

Tua is player with immense potential if he can stay healthy. Amidst the criticism and questions of his arm strength--I'll get to that in a little bit--there has been questions and criticism of his durability. To his credit, for the first time in his career since becoming the Dolphins starting quarterback, he played the entire season last year.

Where he lacks in arm strength, he more than makes for in timing, accuracy and anticipation. He's working with a staff that's able to maximize his strengths and circumvent his weaknesses as a passer, although I think the best way is to improve in that area, but there are ways around working with a quarterback who doesn't have a strong arm.

Working in an offense that plays to his strengths of timing can also be his weaknesses because he will telegraph his throws at times, which led to some of the interceptions he threw last season. The defense knew exactly where he was going with the ball before he threw it.

While he prefers to operate from the pocket, he can make plays with his feet if he needs to. Overall, I think Tua is good with the upside to get better. He hasn't arrived yet, but I think he's getting there. I think he's turning the corner.

Case File No. 31: Hannah Hidalgo

Hannah Hidalgo. Photo Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images.

Before I begin, I've decided to change the name of the blog from the S-Files to Eye for Talent. Along with the name change, I intend to recreate the background of the page in the future as well. I'll still view my reports as case files, but the blog page will be under a new name moving forward.

Today, I'll dive into the case file of Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo, who had a phenomenal Freshman season, to say the least, winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and helping guide her team to a Sweet 16 appearance.

Position: Point Guard

HT: 5-6

College: Notre Dame

Class: Freshman 

Credentials:

First-team All-ACC

ACC Defensive Player of the Year

ACC All-Defensive Team

ACC Rookie of the Year

ACC All-Freshman Team

Strengths:

-Lightning quick

-Excellent ball handler 

-Can make shots on all levels 

-Doesn't waste time or motion with her dribble

-Good court vision and timing on her passes

-Shadows players defensively 

-Very good at locating the ball

Weaknesses:

-Demure size can lead to being overwhelmed by bigger players 

-Her aggression can be used against her

Final Analysis:

As I mentioned in my Freshman Fe-nom post, I was impressed with what I saw. She’s lighting quick; can make shots on all levels: off the dribble, attacking the basket, using screens, and spotting up. She doesn’t waste a lot of time or motion, whether it’s getting the offense set up or getting her own shot, making her almost impossible to stop. 

Some compared her to Chris Paul, but (offensively) she reminds me of Tim Hardaway Sr. with the quickness and effortless way she moves handling the ball and getting into her shot.

She practically shadows players on defense and is attentive to where the ball is going, which enables her to get a jump on the ball in passing lanes.

Although she’s a feisty defender, at 5–6, she could get overwhelmed by players or they could simply shoot over the top of her. Her aggression on defense could also be used against her, which could lead to her getting into foul trouble or overplaying a passing lane.

I think Hannah is WNBA-ready, the only thing stopping her is the league’s age limit.