8A All Defensive Team
As we look forward to the season beginning in Spring 2021, we wanted to continue previewing some key defensive contributors at all three levels of the defense. Defensive Linemen Triston Schultz Triston Schultz 5'10" | 240 lbs | DL Marist…
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Continue ReadingAs we look forward to the season beginning in Spring 2021, we wanted to continue previewing some key defensive contributors at all three levels of the defense.
Defensive Linemen
Triston Schultz Triston Schultz 5'10" | 240 lbs | DL Marist | 2021 IL (Marist HS)- Adequate height and solid weight, buff, proportioned with some definition. Good first step quickness, and snap anticipation. Quickly gets into T, and shows good UOH in order to establish positioning on T’s chest plate. Displays two moves vs. Pass, he has a straight Bull rush in which he shows good lower leg drive and leverage. He also has a Rip move in order to engage, and rip through to get outside leverage and get around the corner. Good closing burst to finish to the QB, and shows finishing ability to wrap and secure the sack. Vs. Run, uses good get off to beat OL across face, and couples get off with quickness in order to chase down plays to the near side or back side. Maintains good finishing ability and will wrap on contact, a sure handed tackler. Overall, he’s an undersized DE, who will be moved to OLB at the next level. He shows good traits, while also still having room to grow.
Brandon Svets Brandon Svets 6'5" | 230 lbs | DL Loyola | 2021 IL (Loyola Academy)- Good height and weight, trim, athletic, proportioned with definition. Good first step quickness, coupled with UOH in order to stay clean against both the Run and Pass. Vs. Pass, multi-dimensional rusher who can win with a Bull Rush, speed, or with lateral quickness. Solid leverage off snap, gets hands to the chest plate of OL quickly. Good play strength both upper, lower, and hands. Good lateral bend at the top of T set to flatten to get under hands, while maintaining balance. Very good lateral movements, allow him to use COD to cross face of OL during rush, and jump to the outside or inside shoulder. Vs. Run, very good COD, lateral agility, and acceleration allows him to play inside out. He can purse to the numbers with consistency, while also possessing good play strength to hold ground against Man schemes. A good tackler and finisher vs. Run and Pass. Overall, a versatile piece along the DL, and he is continuing to develop his body. He has the tools to be a dynamic player at the next level.
Linebackers
Malachi McNeal Malachi McNeal 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Warren | 2021 IL (Warren Township HS)- Adequate height and solid weight, trim, proportioned with definition. Good explosition off the snap in order to get on OL quickly. Shows good transition from speed to power, uses power to keep outside arm free in order to maintain outside leverage. Solid shoulder dip, subtle, but uses it just enough when working through contact to free himself. Good closing speed once into the backfield. Solid tackler, shows solid body control to settle and get the QB on the ground. He is a multi-dimensional rusher, who can rush the A-C gaps with effectiveness. He can also play on or off the ball, in order to be used in a variety of ways. His UOH and leverage could use some work in order to really maximize his potential at the next level. Fighting through contact now isn’t a problem due to his strength, but he leaves his chest open which will allow for a big striking point against collegiate OL. Overall, a weapon that can do a lot of different tasks for a defense.
Jason Haas (Fremd HS)- Good height and solid weight, slender, athletic, proportioned with solid definition. Good processing and anticipation off the snap in order to get to the ball with little wasted movements. Good in both Man and Zone coverage. In Man, has the versatility to split out and cover the slot in Off. Good feet off the snap and at the top off route, along with the acceleration to stick out of break. Solid ball skills, positioning allows him to contest the catch. In Zone, good hip fluidity to open and get into drop. Good lateral agility at the top of drop, along with processing to pick up underneath WRs. Good acceleration/burst in order to plaster, and is able to regain the same positioning that he does in Man, on the back hip. He shows solid ball skills in order to be disruptive both when plastering and when drifting into throwing lanes. Good ability vs. Run in both Zone and Man schemes. Good acceleration and lateral movements allow him to flow to the hole. Good burst in order to beat OL to spots, and shows good punch in the hole. Good range, he’s a sideline to sideline player who has good body control in order to settle and square body on the outside. Good tackler, will wrap on contact. Overall, a solid prospect who is a tweaner at his current weight. He’s more of a S that can play in the box, as well as displaying some coverage ability at the next level.
Chris Skaria (Fremd HS)- Solid height and weight, athletic, trim, proportioned with some definition. Good vision and anticipation off the snap in order to read OL, and hit the hole. Shows good ability both Zone and Man run schemes. Good straight line acceleration/burst. Good UOH when working through trash, displays a good punch in order to knock OL off, and keep them from locking onto his chest. Good range, he’s a sideline to sideline player, who shows good pop in the hole along with outside on the edge. He’s a knock back tackler, who wraps on contact and brings legs to finish the play. Displays good acceleration and solid lateral movements, which would allow him to be an effective Zone defender. Those traits along with his ability to breakdown and make open field tackles, would allow him to stay on the field in certain passing downs. He shows some hip tightness when opening and needing to accelerate laterally, which could limit his ability at the next level to play Man. Overall, he’s at his best when coming downhill and attacking the LOS. His skills are best vs. the run, but he has enough athletic ability to improve pass coverage.
Santonien Flowers Santonien Flowers 5'10" | 185 lbs | DB Marist | 2021 IL (Marist HS)- Adequate height and solid weight, buff, trim, athletic, proportioned with definition. Good eyes off the snap to read run/pass, and quickly adjust to get to the football. Good Zone coverage defender, shows good hip fluidity to open and get into drop, while maintaining processing to see underneath WRs. Displays good physicality and UOH when WRs enter his Zone. Good acceleration out of Zone when needing to plaster. Solid ball skills, his positioning disrupts throwing lanes. Vs. Run, very good Man and Zone defender. Shows very good anticipation and first step quickness. Good acceleration to the ball, and has very good UOH to work his way through OL. Shows sideline to sideline range, with very good closing speed. A knock back tackler when he gets to the ball, wraps and brings legs to finish. Overall, an undersized LB who is a dynamic player at the position. He also showed a good ability to rush the passer from the edge, with good first step quickness, acceleration, and the hips to sink/turn the corner. Due to his size, he will be at his best when protected up front, but he has all the tools to be a defensive weapon.
Defensive Backs
Marty Auer (Loyola Academy)- Good height and weight, trim, proportioned with some definition. Vs. Pass, shows the ability to play Off or Zone. In Off, good COD and lateral acceleration at the top of routes. Displays the ability to stick on the back hip, and has very good ball skills. Good closing burst when the ball is in the air to drive on the underneath routes, or make up ground moving across the field. Uses body well to shield receiver from ball, and shows good hands to go up and get the football. Good transition post turnover to be effective. In Zone, maintains good lateral movements, along with having good anticipation. Solid ball skills, uses his thump at the catch point to be disruptive. Solid run defender when protected. Good overall tackler, and will wrap making him effective tackling both around the LOS and in the openfield. His deficiency in the run game will be when blockers get to him clean, he needs to be protected in order to sort through traffic. Overall a good player, who has the ability to play CB or S and can be a valuable player in a defense.
Matthew Kordas (Lincoln-Way East HS)- Good height and weight, trim, proportioned with some definition. He can play at all three levels of a defense, and has very good play recognition post snap. Vs. Pass, best when in Off or Zone. In Off, good COD, lateral agility, and hip fluidity in order to open with little wasted movements, while maintaining back hip positioning. Good closing burst to make up ground and go get the football. In Zone, shows the ability to use good eyes and recognition to play the deep half. Good hips, can open, and will consistently be effective in Cover 2. Good ball skills in each coverage, goes and gets the ball, good hands and transition to be effective post turnover. Vs. Run, very good recognition and acceleration to the ball. Trusts eyes and goes, can be effective vs. Run when playing at any level of the defense. Good overall tackler, who can be a knock back tackler, while also wrapping and being sure handed. Overall, a very good versatile player who will be able to contribute in a vary of ways at the next level.