Film Don't Lie: Litchfield Ajavon
Football is a game that is constantly evolving in every sense. Schemes are a lot different than they were even twenty years ago and the rules have changed as well. Players have been forced to change too because of it.
The safety position used have a lot of enforcers. The kind of players who would make a receiver pay for going over the middle. There aren’t many of those safeties today, but Notre Dame’s newest commitment, Litchfield Ajavon, is a bit of a throwback.
He is a physical presence and an outstanding run defender. The Irish are adding a high character person and a high level football player to their secondary.
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 185
Projected Position: Strong Safety
ISD Grade: 91 (4-star)
National Average Grade: 91.4 (4-star)
What he does best:
Ajavon is one of the best tacklers at safety in this recruiting class. He hits far above his weight class and delivers some punishing blows like this one on the sideline.
He can make a receiver pay the price for catching the football in front of him as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if some receivers felt footsteps coming and lost concentration on the football because of his presence.
While those big hits stand out on the highlights, it’s his recognition versus the run and his ability to wrap and finish that impresses me the most. He has an attacking mentality without being too reckless.
When considering that Notre Dame has had some struggles with tackling from the strong safety position in the last couple of years, it has to be exciting for the coaching staff to add someone that is the caliber of Ajavon as a downhill player.
Episcopal (VA) drops him down in the box as a blitzer in certain situations too. That is something I can see him doing very well in Notre Dame's defense. His acceleration and speed in pursuit from the backside should make him a weapon when adding in.
Ajavon is also someone that should be a core special teams when he steps on campus. He blocked three kicks last season and should make an impact on kickoff and punt teams.
What he needs to improve:
One area where I’d like to see him improve is ball production. He makes a ton of plays versus the run, but I didn’t see him get his hands on the football enough.
Some of that may because he is not suited to be a single high safety where his team lines him and I think his recognition in coverage needs to improve as well. I see him more as a split the field safety or someone that can be more of a presence dropping down in the box than as deep defender.
He runs well, but it’s always something I make note of when a player isn’t breaking up or picking off passes. Is it a question with his range or his instincts? I’m not sure, but I see great instincts against the run and I hope to see him develop further in that area while in coverage.
What’s his ceiling?
His ceiling is intriguing because I see a prospect with a high floor. Any time that someone is already a strong tackler before they get to a college campus, there is much less to worry about with a critical part of the safety position.
I don’t see the physical part of the transition to college football being a huge obstacle for Ajavon. So much depends on if he can be a playmaker in coverage. If that’s the case, then I think he is capable of being a rich man’s Elijah Shumate. Physically Shumate could compete with anyone and I see that same type of ability with Ajavon.
I’ll finish it with this from Rex Ryan via former Baltimore Ravens scout and current NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah:
Ajavon could light up a stadium by lighting up an opposing player as a tackler. Bringing that to the table from the secondary could make him a difference maker for the Irish.