Evaluated by Jerry Flora
February 10, 2026
National Recruiter
Veteran Football Coach – 33 Years
Head Football Coach College/HS – 13 Years
@jr_gennaro5567
Final Grade – 8.85 (A to AA Player)
Athletic Ability / Back Pedal / Hips
Joaquin excels at covering receivers on various routes, making it look effortless. He has quick feet and can smoothly backpedal, transitioning out of it quickly. When passes are thrown in front of him, he closes in quickly without missing a step. Joaquin effectively uses his hands and demonstrates excellent body control to reach the highest point for interceptions. (9)
Man-to-Man Coverage – Off & Tight
In tight man-to-man coverage, Joaquin skillfully uses his hands and body, making it challenging for receivers to complete their routes. He plays physically with receivers off the line of scrimmage, disrupting the timing between the quarterback and the receiver. His athleticism shines through when playing off coverage, as he quickly breaks out of his stance and wraps up to make the tackle without hesitation. (8.5)
Zone Coverage
Joaquin excels at reading the quarterback’s eyes while dropping into coverage. He effectively disengages from his assigned receiver when the ball is in the air to make plays for his team. What’s impressive is his ability to plant, drive, and close quickly on passes thrown in front of him, demonstrating a strong closing burst to make a play on the ball. Joaquin is aware of receivers entering his zone, making him a consistent threat in the secondary to disrupt plays. (9)
Run/Pass Recognition, Instincts, and Smarts
Joaquin is an instinctive player who consistently reads and reacts quickly to plays. He demonstrates a clear understanding of defensive concepts and knows where he needs to be within the given scheme. I have no doubts about his ability to learn and adapt to complex college defenses and offensive systems. (9)
Closing and Deep Speed
Joaquin recovers well on plays where he initially allows separation, using his athleticism to get back into the play. This is especially impressive considering the level of play in the North Jersey Super Football Conference. He possesses an explosive closing burst that allows him to catch up with the receiver in time. Joaquin finishes plays and never gives up, showing the ability to cover the field from sideline to sideline. (8.5)
Ball Skills / Hands to Intercept / Make Plays on the Ball
In my opinion, Joaquin possesses excellent ball skills that allow him to consistently break up or intercept passes. He demonstrates good coordination when reaching around to disrupt passes, doing so with surprising ease and without committing penalties. Additionally, he demonstrates impressive jumping ability and body control, reaching for the ball at its highest point. (9)
Run Support / Tackling / Willingness to Hit
Joaquin has consistently shown a willingness to take on and execute plays, whether in the paint or on the perimeter. He effectively serves as the last line of defense, positioning himself to assist his teammates during breakaway runs. He maintains good balance, stays on his feet, and plays with control, enabling him to execute solid wrap-up tackles. (9)
Strong Points
Joaquin’s three major strengths are:
- His ability to make necessary tackles in tight spots, whether in the box or sideline to sideline.
- His skill in playing tight pass defense without causing penalties, while successfully making plays on the ball. When passes are directed in front of him, he does an excellent job transitioning and closing in on the receiver.
- His effective use of leverage and body control when wrapping up tackles in the open field. He has the athletic ability to make tackles downfield, providing crucial support as the last line of defense. Furthermore, Joaquin’s durability allows him to contribute to special teams, giving his team opportunities to make plays even before they head out on defense.
Overall Score = (8.85)
The grading system is based on research using GM Jr.’s 2012 Grading Scale. Each category is graded on a scale of 1 to 10.
Example of the NFL Grading System for Combine Participants
AA – 9.2. to 10 = Potential FBS Prospect-Power 5 Prospect
A – 8.6 to 9.1 = Potential Low FBS Prospect
B – 7.9 to 8.5 = Potential FCS Prospect
C – 7.2 to 7.8 = Potential D2 Prospect
D – 6.5 to 7.1 = Potential NAIA Prospect
E – 5.8 to 6.4 = Potential D3 Prospect
F – 5.1 to 5.7 = Potential Junior College/Post Graduate
Under 5.0 = Potential Junior College
