DuPage Valley Conference: Top Defenders

Today we will be taking a look at the DuPage Valley Conference Top Defenders. The teams highlighted are Dekalb, Metea Valley, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, and Waubonsie Valley. <hr /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Dekalb:</strong></em></span> <em><img class=" wp-image-57391 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Christian-Lorenzo-295x300.jpg" alt="" width="202" height="205" /></em> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="20913" first="Christian" last="Lorenzo"] 22’ DT/DE 6’4 290 <a href="https://twitter.com/BigChristian90">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11342325">Highlights</a></em> Lorenzo gets it done in the trenches, he fills the gaps in run support plugging up the holes, gets in the backfield, and gets off of blocks to make the tackle. His strength is showcased by pushing back the offensive lineman which collapses the pocket. He's a player to keep an eye on this season as he could have a breakout performance this spring. <em>Tucker Ikens 21’ OLB 5’8 190 <a href="https://twitter.com/IkensTucker">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8840177">Highlights</a></em> Ikens is quick off the line of scrimmage where he's able to get pressure on the QB, fills holes in run support, and gets to his coverage drops. He can make the open field tackle by shedding his block and attacking downhill. Ikens doesn't give up on plays even if he's on the backside of the play by using pursuit angles to make those chase-down tackles. Ikens looks to finish his high school career on a strong note come this spring. <em>Brayten Wilkerson 21’ DE/OLB 5’9 190 <a href="https://twitter.com/BraytenWilkers1">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9442180">Highlights</a></em> Wilkerson gets pressure on the QB, fills holes in run support, and gets in the backfield to make the play. He's quick off the line of scrimmage which helps him attack and has the closing speed to do the same in open space. Wilkerson takes pursuit angles where he doesn't give up on plays, he also lined up on the line of scrimmage at DE and as a standing OLB showing his versatility. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Metea Valley:</strong></em></span> <em>Ryan Kelly 21’ OLB 6’1 200 <a href="https://twitter.com/r_kelly34">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9462336">Highlights</a></em> Kelly attacks downhill which he uses to make open-field tackles and fill holes in run support. He's able to get off of blocks to make a play and take pursuit angles to make the tackle downfield. He's finishing out his high school career this spring, look for him to build upon his performance from last season. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Naperville Central: </strong></em></span> <em>Antonio Torres 22’ SS 6’0 180 <a href="https://twitter.com/TonioTorres3">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11228283">Highlights</a></em> Torres is a transfer from Waubonsie Valley, he has quick acceleration with speed to go with it. This is on display when he attacks downhill where he makes open-field tackles and fills holes in run support. Torress also takes pursuit angles to make those opposite-field tackles and cover sideline to sideline. He's going to be a sight to see on this Naperville Central team so be on the lookout for what he accomplishes this spring. <em><img class="wp-image-57682 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Shane-Roth-242x300.jpg" alt="" width="136" height="169" /></em> <em>Shane Roth 21’ OLB/SS 5’10 195 <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneRoth16">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9461235">Highlights</a></em> Roth gets to his coverage drops where he's able to read/react quickly resulting in getting interceptions. He attacks in both the passing and running game by making open-field tackles, filling holes in run support, and getting pressure on the QB. Roth doesn't give up on plays by taking pursuit angles, topped with his closing speed he's able to save touchdowns with downfield tackles. <em><img class="wp-image-57612 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Patrick-Grange-289x300.jpg" alt="" width="148" height="154" /></em> <em>Patrick Grange 21’ DE 6’2 200 <a href="https://twitter.com/pjgrange32">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9461266">Highlights</a></em> Grange is a Western Michigan Commit, his film shows why. He gets pressure on the QB and fills the gaps in run support. Grange is quick off the line of scrimmage which helps him get off blocks to make the tackle. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Naperville North:</strong></em></span> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="65527" first="Adam" last="Sturtz"] 21’ OLB 6’1 210 <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSturtz">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9752484">Highlights</a></em> Sturtz is a Butler Commit, he fills holes in run support, stays with his man in coverage, and makes open-field tackles. He gets his hands up to deflect passes, cover sideline to sideline, and attacks. Sturtz is an all-around linebacker who looks to finish his high school career this spring before heading to play college ball. <em><img class=" wp-image-57417 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/connor-corrigan-300x274.jpg" alt="" width="205" height="188" /></em> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="20359" first="Connor" last="Corrigan"] 21’ DE 6’2 230 <a href="https://twitter.com/connorpcorrigan">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12849517">Highlights</a></em> Corrigan fills the gaps in run support, gets pressure on the QB, and holds contain. He gets his hands up to deflects passes and with his reaction time was able to intercept the ball for a touchdown. Corrigan is quick off the line of scrimmage during his pass rush where he attacks and creates turnovers. He gets in the backfield making the play and doesn't give up on plays. He's going to be a sight to see come spring. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Neuqua Valley:</strong></em></span> <em>Trey Borske 21’ OLB 6’0 200 <a href="https://twitter.com/treyborske1">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/6897045">Highlights</a></em> Borske gets his hands up to deflect passes and he used his reaction time to intercept one of those passes where he returned it for a touchdown. He fills holes in run support, gets pressure on the QB, and makes open-field tackles. Borske is quick and has the speed to make those chase-down tackles. <em>Christian Allen 21’ SS 6’0 180 <a href="https://twitter.com/c_allen2103">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9448481">Highlights</a></em> Allen has quick acceleration which helps him make plays. He gets pressure on the QB, fills holes in run support, and makes open-field tackles by attacking downhill. Allen stays with his man in coverage where he deflects passes causing incompletions. He also takes pursuit angles to make the tackle downfield and also covers sideline to sideline. Keep an eye on this young man this spring as he closes out his high school football career. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Waubonsie Valley:</strong></em></span> <em>Jake Strater 21’ FS 6’0 180 <a href="https://twitter.com/StraterJake">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/7851141">Highlights</a></em> Strater is a St. Ambrose Commit, he makes open-field tackles by attacking downhill, fills holes in run support, and has closing to speed to make the tackle. He gets to his pass coverage drops where he forces incompletions by getting his hand in there as well as using his hard-hitting ability. Strater looks to build upon last season's performance heading into the spring and will be a name to keep an eye on for this Waubonsie Valley defense. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Notables: </strong></em></span> <em>Kaeden Gunn 21’ FS - Dekalb <a href="https://twitter.com/I_KMGUNN15">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8819822">Highlights</a></em> <em>Jake Paulline 22’ DT 6’2 290 - Metea Valley <a href="https://twitter.com/Jake_Paulline">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11464531">Highlights</a> </em> <em>Aiden Ellison 21’ OLB 5’11 190 - Naperville Central <a href="https://twitter.com/AidanEllison32">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9005570">Highlights</a></em> <em>Luke Peterson 21’ MLB 5’11 205 - Naperville Central <a href="https://twitter.com/LukePet51154098">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9005641">Highlights</a></em> <em>Ty Randle 22' DE 6'2 220 - Naperville Central <a href="https://twitter.com/TyRandle4">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11696475">Highlights</a></em> <em>Ethan Hilgert 21’ DE/DT - Naperville North <a href="https://twitter.com/EthanHilgert98">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9752482">Highlights</a></em> <em>Luke Williams 24' DB 6'1 170 - Naperville North <a href="https://twitter.com/lukewilliams_17">Twitter</a> </em> <em>Payton Matthews 21’ CB 5’10 180 - Neuqua Valley <a href="https://twitter.com/paymat28">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9448673">Highlights</a></em> <em>Matt Williams 22’ OLB 5’9 175 - Neuqua Valley <a href="https://twitter.com/mattwilliams333">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11100310">Highlights</a></em> <em>Ethan Quaye 22’ DE 6’2 215 - Waubonsie Valley <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11146879">Highlights</a></em> <em>Owen O’Hara 22’ LB 6’0 170 - Waubonsie Valley</em> <hr /> There's an abundance of talent in the DVC, each team has talented players on it that are going to go play at the next level after this spring season. They also have up-and-coming players that are going to do the same, you need to keep an eye on this conference for years to come.