EFT / EDGY Tim MLK Showcase Top Defensive Line Performers

What EFT Football Academy and EDGY Tim has done for the state of Illinois needs to be pointed out. They have given the only state in the Midwest’s players an multiple opportunities to showcase their talents for collegiate scouts and give them great coaching to get better. Once again they held a fantastic camp, their annual MLK Day Showcase, which ended up at the Sparta Dome in Crown Point, Indiana. The event brought kids from all over the Midwest, and here are the top performers from the defensive line group. 2022 Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="65768" first="Xavier" last="Slayton"], Crete Monee, IL (6’3” and 238lbs) @SlaytonXavier Absolute love the frame on this young man, is solid but plenty of room to grow. Moves quick and with added strength will get even faster. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351566873733816320?s=21 Good hand placement and fluid movements. Would have blown up if a fall season, happened but should still do that when he sees the field next. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-97761" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/644ED99B-C603-498A-858C-B90B1B1D7758-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="20893" first="Brian" last="Allen"], Marian Central Catholic, IL (6’4” and 250lbs) @ballen211820 Allen made it known he wanted to compete with the best at the event and didn’t disappoint. A great body-type which will give him an opportunity to continue to fill out as he gets older. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351570334454067207?s=21 He absolute loves football, as he stuck around for the other sessions. Allen goes against another one of my favorite prospects teammate [player_tooltip player_id="65764" first="Luke" last="Dalton"], which will only make him better. He has an extremely high ceiling. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-97762" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/155F8604-0906-4F92-868B-95713E418E79-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="65803" first="Trystan" last="Anderson"], Buffalo Grove HS, IL (6’4” and 212lbs) @ttandersonn Although Anderson isn’t the biggest DE, his speed and quickness jump off right away. Great hand placement gives him an advantage against bigger defensive linemen. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351576707925483521?s=21 He will have to add some more weight, but his frame will surely allow that. A fantastic speed rusher who will only get better as time goes on. 2023 Defensive end Tyson Beck, Homewood-Floosmor, IL (6’3” and 230lbs) @TysonBeck13 It was hard to keep track of all the impressive defense ends but Beck stood out as one of them. Initially he repped his 1v1’s against his class but that was too easy for the rising star. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351579382264029187?s=21 Beck eventually moved over to the big boys table and did not look out of place at all. He will be a force to reckon with the next few years for high school linemen before he makes his way to a high-level collegiate program. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-97776" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/6B582F08-EE42-4568-9271-DC07AB862B96-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="20892" first="Derrick" last="Parker"], Rich Township, IL (6’3” and 242lbs) @DP2Different Parker has been in the weight room more than a few times, his frame is fantastic, with a great lower half. The leg drive is extremely impressive. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351587550448783360?s=21 The is plenty of room for Parker’s game to grow, his upside is tantalizing. Will be a big time player once he’s able to get back onto the field and play some real football. 2023 Defensive end Brooks Bahr, Loyola Academy, IL (6’5” and 235lbs) @BrooksBahr99 I would have liked to see Bahr move up and face off against some of the 2022’s because the 2023’s were no match for him. The frame is great, with plenty of room to add on the necessary weight to be a big time defensive end. His speed stood out during the 1v1s. High ceiling for Bahr as he continues to get stronger and works on technique. 2022 Defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="20908" first="Jireh" last="Mays"], E. St. Louis, IL (6’2” and 330lbs) @jirehmays75 I’ve seen Mays quite a few times since the summer, every time Mays gets better with his footwork and technique. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351601349604077569?s=21 An absolute force in the middle of the ESL defense, Mays uses his quickness and hand placement to get back interior offensive lineman. He goes up against an extremely talented offensive line in practice and his growth has been impressive the last few months. Quick hitters on others who stood out: 2022 defensive tackle Javin Lowe, Elkhart HS, IN (6’ and 250lbs) @jnucentsjr88 Didn’t stick out during drills, but showed good ability during 1v1s. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-97778" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/09005095-3183-41C8-BBC0-FCA719F5DFB2-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Defensive end Danny Novickas, Mount Carmel, IL (6’3 and 202lbs) @DNovickas_2023 Long, lean, athletic and quick, Novickas overmatched many offensive linemen during 1v1s. Just recently got over COVID where he lost a lost of weight but still has a bright future. 2022 Defensive end Eli Shereshovech IV, Buffalo Grove, IL (6’4” and 230lbs) @ShereshovechEli Moves fantastic for a player his size and is getting under recruited at the moment. A fall season would have given him plenty of time to shine and will soon. 2022 Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="20914" first="Thaddeus" last="Gianaris"], Maine South, IL (6’2” and 230lbs) @TeddyGianaris Another player who didn’t really stick out during drills, but turned the lights on when 1v1s happened. I like the upside with Gianaris. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-97782" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/C23D35E0-7115-47E3-B395-ADA9D1CB8B33-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Defensive end  / Outside linebacker Justice Chapman (5’10” and 201lbs) @JusticeChapma10 Still growing, Chapman probably should be looked at as a safety, who can do a bit of everything. I love players with that skill set, giving defensives flexibility and can hide coverages better. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-97783" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/03FE3CB4-EA97-47DA-AF38-28817E65A0B7-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Defensive end Boston Bower, Huntley, IL (6’1” and 225lbs) @boston_bower One of the hardest working kids out there, every time I see Bower, he continues to get better. Work ethic is starting to creep closer to skill set, in time they’ll be on par with each other. Bright future of this young player.