Top Defensive Performances: Week 6

In this week’s top defensive performances I have nine players that I wanted to spotlight. The best part is that six of the players are making their debut in this article. I love finding new players that went off that I can spotlight and hopefully help bring either their first college interest/offers or add to what they already have. This week also brings a little bit of age range. There are seven seniors, one junior, and one sophomore. It's time to find out who these players are, what they did in week 6, and take a look at what they have to offer teams at the next level! Mason Desrude, Sophomore DL/OLB- Nicolet Stat Line: 3 Total Tackles, 2 Sacks This is my favorite part of this job. Finding sophomores, or in this case having them reach out to me, with a ton of potential and raw talent to mold into impressive senior recruits. Mason checks in at 6'2" 205 as a sophomore, which tells me he has the frame to fill out into a great looking player. This week he played with his hand in the dirt, but throughout the season he has rotated between hand in the dirt and rushing from a two point stance. He is able to be a successful pass rusher and edge setter against the run from either positions. I'm really impressed by his level of hand usage. To be just a sophomore and consistently getting around linemen with different hand fighting techniques is very intriguing for what he could turn in to. Mason is staying on my radar. Make sure he is on yours too. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13037329/5f9ddc046898c20a54f13d0a">Mason vs Lake Country Lutheran</a> [player_tooltip player_id="30757" first="Evan" last="Ladwig"], Senior DL/OL- Plymouth Stat Line: 15 Tackles, 3 TFLs What is there to say that I haven't pounded the table about already with Evan? He is a special talent. The motor and conditioning he has to dominate on both sides of the ball in the trenches at 6'6" 275 lbs is wildly impressive. His dedication to the game is clearly exceptional. The best part of his game is that he doesn't just throw his body around and lean on people. His technique is very clean. The way he can halt linemen at the line of scrimmage, get separation with his hands, and then slide off to make the tackle is textbook, and he does it over and over and over throughout the game. Add in the fact that he is a top offensive line recruit as well and you end up with one of the best and most versatile lineman in the state. If you haven't watched him yet then it's time to catch up. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9627862/5fa16fd3da5b6f0b40595e3f">Evan vs Sheboygan Falls</a> Will Campbell, Junior LB- Kaukauna Stat Line: 9 Tackles, 3 TFLs, .5 Sack, 1 INT Before we get started, I want to say Happy Birthday, Will! As for his film, it was another day at the office for Will. Week after week I am more and more surprised at how well he gets off blocks without losing any ground. This week there were several plays where he got off several blockers, one after the other, and still made the TFL. The speed he plays with and the closing burst to drive his opponent into the ground is everything you could ask for. I can't wait to see what he does as a senior after an offseason of more development and growth. He should be a popular name on the recruiting trail. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11403077/5f9d5eb406624d0a04cf54ec">Will vs Wrightstown</a> [player_tooltip player_id="31098" first="Craesean" last="Slaton"], Senior DB- Oak Creek Stat Line: 4 Tackles, 2 INTs, 2 PBUs Duluth is getting a legitimate DB prospect in Craesean. This week's film highlights his play recognition, closing speed, and ball skills. There were times in the film where his receiver ran inside to clear out for an underneath route and he would perfectly come off after the QB thought he was clear, but then Slaton would flash that closing speed and at the catch point he would get his hands inside the receivers hands and disrupt the catch point without causing a penalty. Craesean is so smooth in all his movements. Whether he is coming downhill to make a PBU or pick, flipping his hips to run with a receiver, or changing directions while in zone it looks so effortless. I'm a big fan of Craesean. Check him out. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9829778/5f9daf505ca95f07dc02d0c0">Craesean vs Freedom</a> Michael Stroessner, Senior DL- Slinger Stat Line: 2 Tackles, 2 Sacks Right off the bat it is clear that Michael is a huge defensive lineman standing 6'6" 335 lbs. Michael strives off his ability to hold his ground. Nobody could move him this week and it led to a couple tackles right at the line of scrimmage. Against the pass, Michael rushes with his strength. He drove the guard right back into the pocket on both of his sacks. At the next level, Michael would probably be used primarily as a run stuffer because of how hard he is to move off the line of scrimmage. Right now, I would say that Michael is a prospect that should be on D3 programs' radars. He's raw, but you can't coach that size. Take a look at this past week's film! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9658257/5f9f6d6a19a59f09dc95b155">Michael vs Homestead</a> [player_tooltip player_id="30993" first="Brian" last="Radish"], Senior DL- Muskego Stat Line: 10 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 2.5 Sacks, 3 PBUs Muskego's defense is loaded with talent from front to back. One of those talented prospects up front is Radish. Radish plays all along the defensive line thanks to his exceptional blend of strength and speed. This past week he went up against a very talented Oconomowoc offensive line, and was able to wreck havoc all game long. Brian's first step quickness paired with his strength leads to an impressive initial punch when he meets the offensive lineman. From there he uses his body control and agility to make a move to easily slip past the lineman in pass rush or his strength to hold the line of scrimmage against the run before shedding the block to make the tackle. My favorite part of Radish's game is his toughness and relentless play style. He flies around the field at 100 mph and is always looking to get in on the play. Check out this under recruited stud! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9649809/5f9cda39f55feb13b483bba7">Brian vs Oconomowoc</a> [player_tooltip player_id="30795" first="Owen" last="Arnett"], Senior DB/LB- Arrowhead Stat Line: 8 Total Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sack, 1 INT, 1 PBU Owen is an OLB/Safety tweener right now, but I believe he could succeed at either position at the next level. His best position will probably be OLB, though. That way he can use his aggressiveness while being closer to the line of scrimmage. Then he can have a big impact against the run and also be a big time weapon while dropping into pass coverage. Having an LB that can cover a TE or slot like Arnett can could be a game changing piece. Over and over Owen has shown that he can handle those coverage assignments and he has the ball skills to not only break up passes, but create turnovers as well. Add in the fact that Owen is one of the most sure tacklers in the state and you get a player that should be highly sought after in the D2 level and I wouldn't be surprised to see interest from even higher levels. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11114223/Owen-Arnett">Owen's HUDL</a> Travis Runberg, Senior LB- Cumberland Stat Line: 8 Total Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack Check out the block shedding by this kid. Travis has been slipping under my radar and it looks like I'm not the only one who has been missing out. As I said, I love the way he shed block after block against Spooner. It wasn't just get off one and make the tackle. There are plays where he engages and disengages with two or even three blockers and then makes the play for minimal gains. Going right with that, the way he can work through all the trash around him and still read the back and the line then fill his gap and make the tackle was impressive this week as well. He does all of this with a sturdy 6' 195 lbs frame. After the season I will be digging further into Travis' film because based off this past week he should be a much bigger recruit target for D3 schools at least. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11433952/5f9f897319a59f09dc95c59c">Travis vs Spooner</a> [player_tooltip player_id="31181" first="Jacob" last="Earle"], Senior DE/OLB- Xavier Stat Line: 12 Total Tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 Sacks, 1 PBUs Jacob offers a good amount of versatility. He played a lot as a stand up edge this game, but he has also played DT, and OL. With his 6'3" 235 lbs frame he offers the next level a ton of uses for his services. This is why I'm surprised he doesn't have any posts about interest or offers on his twitter. A team needs to come along and pick this kid up. While he is raw, you can't look past the production of 4 sacks, 7 TFLs, and 30 tackles in five games playing all along the defensive line. Against the run, I really liked the way he held the edge and squeezed it down when the run went away from him. Jacob even ran down a few runs from behind. He's got a high motor too and will pursue the ball anywhere on the field. Sideline to sideline. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9640690/5f9f7a69b3c87803c4d84681">Jacob vs Winneconne</a>