Small School Sack Artists

As the 2020 season approaches, we wanted to take a look at three of the top returning DL pass rushers. Each player has a unique way to impact the passing game. <strong>FJ Simpson (Williamsville HS)-</strong> Adequate height and solid weight, stout, proportioned with definition. Good get off, leverage, and punch on the snap. He gets into OL quickly, and establishes hand positioning to the chest plate. Good UOH throughout play in order to disengage, while pursuing. Vs. Run, solid play strength and leverage at the POA to hole ground, and continue driving legs to create penetration. Good straight line and lateral burst in order to run down ball carriers once breaking the LOS. Good body control, has a low center of gravity allowing for good COD. He is able to settle in the hole or as he is pursuing and make a tackle. Shows hash to hash range, when lined up in the B gap. Vs. Pass, maintains good get off and leverage, while also showing very good UOH and quickness in order to get around outside shoulder of G. He’s a hit and disengage guy now, as he doesn’t possess a particular go to pass rush arsenal. Very good closing burst, once disengaged to go and get the QB. Reliable tackler in both the Run and Pass games, will consistently get guys on the ground. Overall, an undersized interior DL who plays with passion and a relentless motor. His speed, and agility make it hard to consistently keep him out of the backfield, and he is a tough matchup for a G or C. <b>Grant Foes (Princeton HS)-</b> Good height and solid weight, trim, proportioned with some definition. Solid get off and UOH at the LOS. Strikes quickly and to the chest plate of OL. Good play strength, uses lower half in order to be effective creating penetration Vs. Pass and Run. Vs. Run, good play strength in order to hold ground coupled with UOH to disengage. Shows hash to hash range, and displays good competitive toughness. Vs. Pass, strictly a Bull Rusher, uses lower half strength and leverage to create push, and shows good UOH to get hands inside OL and disengage. Solid closing quickness, when getting into the backfield, good body control to breakdown and is a reliable tackler. He lacks lateral quickness, and agility to be consistently effective Vs. Zone, and is limited as a pass rusher until he develops a pass rush arsenal. Overall, a solid player who has room to continue growing. <b>Ethan Trimm (Carlinville HS)- </b>Good height and weight, buff, proportioned with some definition. Good get off and foot quickness off LOS. Vs. Run, best against Man schemes. Uses good UOH, play strength, and leverage to hold ground off the snap. He gets hands into chest plate and couples straight line agility with them in order to disengage and get into the backfield clean. Shows hash to hash range, and has solid body control in order to breakdown and make a tackle. Vs. Pass, maintains play strength and leverage in order to create push in the pocket. He lacks good closing burst in order to have big sack numbers. Vs. Run, lacks lateral agility and quickness to be effective Vs. Zone, limiting his overall impact. He is a solid player, who has room to grow.