Top Defensive Performers: Week 7

Before we put a wrap on the 2020 regular season here in Wisconsin let’s take a look at who hit their stride on the defensive side of the ball as playoffs approach. We are finishing up this regular season series with several new names that need to be highlighted. Each one of these should play college ball at some level. It’s great to see the talent translate into production. So, let’s check out that production and talent through their stat lines and film! Nolan Lamers, Senior DB- Little Chute Stat Line: 1 Sack, 2 INTs, Returned one 65 yards for a TD Right from the first play you see Nolan’s vision from his DB spot. It’s hard to tell if he is in man or zone, but he reads the QB perfectly and comes off the WR he was guarding and made the interception. From there he used his superior athleticism to race down the sideline for the easy score. That athleticism was the key to his sack as he came flying in off the edge and closed so quickly the QB didn’t have a chance to react. Later in his film he showed off his quick hips when he turns and runs with receivers and he showed off how well he can go up and break up passes at the highest point. I am a big fan of Nolan’s athleticism. He can fly around. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9430658/5fa6c332d225c1075cfdc935">Nolan’s Regular Season Finale</a> Mason Desrude, Sophomore DL/OLB- Nicolet Stat Line: 2 Sacks, 1 FF, 5 Tackles, 1 Batted Pass, QB Pressure to force INT This kid already has an impressive pass rush repertoire. He does a great job of punching down the lineman’s hands or ripping through. He demonstrated a nice spin counter-move after his initial rush was stalled. This is the second week that Mason has made the article here and each time I watch him and am blown away by the hand usage he plays with as a sophomore. He also already has good length at 6’2" with plenty of time to grow even more. There is a ton of potential here to work with. Keep your eyes on this kid. He is rising up my 2023 rankings. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13037329/Mason-Desrude">Mason’s HUDL</a> Will Campbell, Junior LB- Kaukauna Stat Line: 9 Tackles, 3 TFLs Another week of watching an offensive line having a terrible time trying to stick a block on Will. I’m am also so impressed how he is constantly coming downhill against the run. Even when a lineman is coming at him, Will doesn’t come to a stop. Even while disengaging he is still moving forward. This week there are a few tackles that really showed off how relentless his pursuit is. There is one play where he splits two linemen’s double team and still makes the tackle as one of the linemen are holding him from behind. His strength is so impressive too. It’s a big reason that he is always able to keep moving forward and it translates into very solid tackles. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11403077/5fa6da400661610ba044fd19">Will’s Week 7</a> [player_tooltip player_id="31014" first="Tate" last="Huss"], Senior DB/WR- Little Chute Stat Line: 6 Tackles, 2 INTs. Bonus: 4 Receptions, 46 Yards, 1 TD Little Chute has a very talented DB group as their second member makes the list here with Tate. Tate is a good looking athlete at 6’1’’ 185. He has the range you look for from the safety position to make plays sideline to sideline and to be able to attack downhill and make plays against the run for minimal gains. The receiver work and in game interception shows that he definitely has the ball skills to create turnovers from his safety position with ease. Tate could fill several roles at the next level. He just got his first D2 offer a couple week ago and I wouldn’t be surprised if more followed. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9470742/5fa64d6019b03c0a008e5b6f">Tate’s Week 7</a> Dylan Brown, Senior DB- Homestead Stat Line: 12 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU Dylan has a bit of everything in this week’s film. He guarded a slot in man to man down in the redzone and got the breakup. He lined up in the box and consistently filled against the run and he lined up at his safety position and still made tackles against the run game within a few yards of the line of scrimmage. Dylan has the range needed for the position and is a physical presence at 6’3" 185. Dylan has several offers from the D3 level. I believe he would definitely be able to be an impact player at that level. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9739070/5fa6b9620661610ba044d4f8">Dylan vs Whitefish Bay</a> Zach Miller, Junior LB/DB- Grantsburg Stat Line: 5 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 PBU, 1 Blocked Punt Zach is an impressive edge/safety hybrid talent with an imposing frame. As a junior, Zach is 6’2" 200 lbs and he looks every bit of it. He is such a physical player too. He is going to make you remember when he hits you and you better have the ball secured or its coming out. Zach doesn’t look lost out in space either. Even though he is so physical in his play he actually moves really well. His play speed is a major key to being as successful as he is in the open. He can set the edge against the run too. He is going to be a player to watch, especially in his senior season. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12889918/5fa7038c9a917b0abc65cec2">Zach vs Ladysmith</a> Austin Schlies, Junior LB- Northwestern Stat Line: 8 Tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 Sacks Austin is a solid stand up, edge rusher that currently sits at 6’0" 195 lbs. He beats offensive linemen and gets around the corner with his speed and his agility. Against the run, Austin is very hard to block and he is even harder to get outside of. He sets a strong edge and is able to break through with that speed to make a lot of plays in the backfield. There are some good examples of quick play recognition as he sniffs out plays designed to catch the defense off balance like screen passes. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11062717/5fa839b6a023250bbc0fc593">Austin’s Junior Season</a> Ben Rehl, Junior LB- Mukwonago Stat Line: 8 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 Sacks Ben goes 100 mph every snap on his film. All season long he has been one of the most consistent pass rushers in the state while also playing in one of the most competitive conferences in the state. He shows off some nice bend as he comes around the edge on his pass rush. His closing speed after he defeats the block is what brings us all the production. He closes so quickly on the QB and the QB he faced this week is a decent athlete and he still consistently ran him down in the backfield and got pressure all night. Keep an eye on this edge rusher. He is an impact player. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11308761/5fa6bb61a680d709a8fd2a9c">Ben vs Kettle Moraine</a> [player_tooltip player_id="31225" first="Luna" last="Larson"], Junior LB/QB- Baraboo Stat Line: 12 Tackles, 1 TFL, 2 FF Luna is a stud two-way athlete for Baraboo. Right now, I predict that Luna will receive a lot of his recruiting attention at the LB position and it will be well deserved. Luna has one of the best size, speed, and strength combinations in the state for the LB position. This week's film how well he navigates the trash in the box to make tackles as well as his ability to get off blocks very quickly. He basically threw offensive linemen to the side to make tackles. Luna is a dominant tone setter on defense, that is for sure. All this ability has led to him receiving an offer from FBS Central Michigan before his junior season. I predict that list is going to increase steadily after this season. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7699092/5fa9a0670c5e070138483d74">Luna vs Portage</a> [player_tooltip player_id="31064" first="Noah" last="Jessup"], Senior DL/OLB- Franklin Stat Line: 10 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 Sacks College coaches, I have your edge rusher right here! Noah is a special talent at the DE/OLB position. He is the perfect blend of natural ability and technique. He stands at 6'5" 225 lbs and he translates that length to exceptional pass rushing ability and consistent pressure every week. His first step explosion gives him even more of an advantage and then his quick and powerful hands creates a punch that gives him a ton of separation from the offensive lineman to make his move with excellent pass rush moves. Noah even does a solid job of setting the edge against the run. I'm not sure of his offers because he just joined twitter this past week, but I expect his attention to go through the roof. He is a very special talent. Impressive film as well. Check him out! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13277130/5fa8923e5ef65a0a7c599c39">Jessup's Senior Season</a>