Must See Northern IL Defensive Prospects

In this article, we wanted to put together a guide to some of the top defensive prospects in Northern IL. When the spring season kicks off, we feel like each of these players are going to have big impacts on their teams. Senior DL: [player_tooltip player_id="20316" first="Triston" last="Schultz"] (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. Senior DL: [player_tooltip player_id="20307" first="Brandon" last="Svets"] (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. Junior DL: Tyler Hendricker (Peotone HS)- Good height and solid weight, slender, trim, proportioned with some definition. Solid explosion off the snap, coupled with solid UOH and leverage allows him to hold ground at the LOS. Displays the ability to continue to work hands throughout the play to disengage. Good closing burst once disengaged to chase play to the near or far side. Has numbers to numbers range vs. the run. Vs. Pass, solid rush ability, strictly a Bull Rusher, who has solid finishing ability once breaking the LOS. He shows very good mental toughness and tackling ability within his game, consistently willing to pursue plays and has good technique when breaking down and wrapping legs. Overall, at this point he is best as a 4-3 run stopping DE. He possesses the traits and size to develop his rush skills. If he can add a pass rush move, and work on UOH and feet within his rushes, he will be a very good prospect. Senior LB: [player_tooltip player_id="20348" first="Santonien" last="Flowers"] (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. Junior DB: [player_tooltip player_id="20930" first="Saveon" last="Brown"] (Thornwood HS)- Good height and weight, slender, trim, proportioned with some definition. A big safety that is a downhill aggressive player. Shows good ability to trust eyes and anticipate the development of plays. Good acceleration and transition to stick foot in the ground and go. He shows knock back tackling ability, and consistently puts ball carriers on the ground. Displayed some deep ability, to play in Cover 2. Overall, he will be best utilized as an in the box S at the next level, to maximize his abilities to the fullest potential. Senior DB: 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. Senior DB: 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.