Iowa’s C/O 2022 Top Game Wreckers: Defensive Line

<span style="font-weight: 400;">What makes for a disruptive, dominant force at the line of scrimmage on the defensive side of the ball? Take a hard look at these six game wreckers who are an absolute force for their teams.</span> <hr /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23948" first="Hunter" last="Deyo"], Lewis Central, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11080760/5f4d531eab93860ac0fa723e">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DeyoHunter">Twitter</a></strong> <strong>DT/6’3/255</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Deyo is a D1 athlete on either side of the ball; go watch how he finishes blocks, nasty.  As a defensive linemen he is extremely violent, has elite body awareness, and is very versatile in alignment.  His effort is relentless in pursuit of the ball; he makes a lot of plays at the line of scrimmage as he is able to take up a ton of space at the point of attack, but never gives up on plays and impressively tracks screens and short completions.  Deyo’s posture and ability to stay square while eating up blocks against the run paired with his large frame and reach leads to plenty of opportunities to make plays.  Deyo dominates with loads of natural ability.  Be on the lookout for his game to take an even larger leap as he further refines and develops position specific technique. </span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23961" first="Dominic" last="Wiseman"], Davenport North, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11337181/5f9d91c206624d0a04cfa014">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/dominicwiseman1">Twitter</a></strong> <strong>DT/6’1/271</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Wiseman has well-developed technique that is mature beyond his years.  Pair that with second to none get off, hands, and mobile hips and you have a player who can no doubt take over games.  Wiseman is especially impressive in defeating blocks and creating space for him to maneuver through into the backfield in just a few steps out of his stance.  This is a rare ability for someone of his size.  He almost always beats his blocker to the point of attack and controls the gap.  Wiseman is equally impressive against a pass set and uses those quick hands to collapse the pocket often; he has an impressive knack for identifying run or pass and reacting accordingly.  Wiseman may lack a little height and length, but is a lean 270 lbs and looks like he will continue to fill out.  </span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23973" first="Logan" last="Green"], Clarinda, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11323690/5fb82f16d2250e0600df1ddd">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LoganGr90121051">Twitter</a></strong> <strong>DT/6’3/265</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Size and frame immediately jump out at you on film and then you are wowed by Green’s motor and physicality.  Green is a play finisher on both sides of the ball and attacks it with some serious swagger.  On defense, Green identifies and processes what is going on very quickly giving him an edge over his opponent.  He also moves incredibly well for his size hitting stunts and gap exchanges with really quick steps and well-developed technique.  I love how aggressive and disciplined Green plays at the line of scrimmage.  There is a lot of evidence on film that he can really read a key and then take advantage to be able to make plays with superior physicality.  Green seeks out contact and tosses blockers around.  Look for Green to become even more of a monster as he learns how to play with better leverage and separation.</span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23957" first="Braden" last="Simonsen"], Ankeny, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11103383/5fc4214123480f0a94527772">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BradenSimonsen">Twitter</a></strong> <strong>DE/6’3/220</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">A state champion and multi-sport athlete, Simonsen is someone to be absolutely feared off the edge and there is no doubt he can become an elite pass rusher at the D1 level.  Simonsen has very impressive stance mechanics, both run and pass.  He knows how to generate a lot of explosive movement and accelerate quickly.  Simonsen brings violent hands through his speed rush and can get to the hip of a setting tackle in just a few steps.  The way he bends as he passes the hip of a setting offensive lineman is very mature.  He also knows when to go from speed to power in his rush and that makes him very dangerous.  Simonsen proves on film that he is far from one dimensional as he can squeeze down gaps and even dominate an inside gap.  It’s hard to see Simonsen being anything but unblockable as he continues to develop technique and add strength in the weight room.</span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23995" first="Diego" last="Cortes"], Bettendorf, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11347032/5fac4027578ee802f877a064">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Diego_Cortes41">Twitter</a></strong> <strong>DE/5’10/210</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">What immediately appears on film is how discipline and fearless Cortes is.  I love watching him take on pulls and disengage from blocks.  He chops down pullers much larger than him and strikes to extension violently.  Cortes really seems to understand what it means to play with leverage as he frequently shocks and jars offensive linemen.  He has a quick first step and can squeeze a gap or get flat and chase down from the back side as well as anyone at the high school level.  Cortes has great eyes and can peek from separation to really disrupt what is happening in the backfield.  He gives up size, but has the athletic versatility to play OLB at the next level.  You can sense his attitude and determination on film.</span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24019" first="Tyson" last="Scott"], Lisbon, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11321776/5faef706f55fe902882ec1ee">HUDL</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TysonScott75">Twitter</a></strong> <strong>DT/6’2/230</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Scott does it all for his team playing on both sides of the ball, contributing on special teams, and serving as the team’s kicker.  He especially shines, though, as a defensive tackle and is an absolute playmaker.  Scott is gifted out of his stance as he has a strong ability to place hands quickly.  His violent strikes allow him to get off blockers and make plays in the backfield.  Scott does an especially good job of getting flat off of blocks and getting to the ball when it isn’t necessarily in his gap.  Scott also has the discipline to know when he should continue squeezing and knocking back blockers to really wreak havoc in the backfield and take space away from an offense.  He is a terror against the run and will be even more impressive as his pass rush abilities develop.  The effort Scott puts forth on film is elite and that paired with his natural ability is lethal.</span>