Pass Rush Spotlight: Iowa’s Top QB Hunters Part III

The art of the pass rush is one of the most sought after commodities in the modern game and requires a tremendous amount of skill. Take a look below to see how the mechanics and fundamentals of Iowa’s best lead to pressures, hits, and sacks. These quarterback hunters know how to execute and cause nightmare scenarios for an opposing offense. [player_tooltip player_id="100104" first="Rex" last="Johnsen"], Logan-Magnolia, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EaT1M">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/rex_johnsen">Twitter</a> DE/DT, 6’5, 270 The name of Johnsen’s pass rush game is power; he is violent and relentless through his rush lane, be it the edge or an inside gap, and uses superior strength to get to the quarterback. A lot of young pass rushers have a difficult time understanding the concept of rush lanes, how they differ from gaps, and what their aiming points should be. These are all areas where Johnsen excels. Johnsen is usually rushing from tight alignment and, while he does a nice job of setting his rush up with a quick first step and good footwork, he is going to be working power. The tight alignment gives an offensive lineman an easier angle in their set, which leaves less space within a rushlane for Johnsen to work. That doesn’t matter much because he creates space to work and keeps his feet moving towards the quarterback at all times. If there is any space in the rush lane Johnson does an excellent job of throwing violent strikes (two hands) and stabs (one hand) to turn the hip and shoulder of his opponent. This opens up space in the lane for him to take as he bends, keeping the hands active, and gets by the blocker. If there isn’t any space and Johnsen’s opponent squares him up he transitions to a nasty bull rush. He often runs his opponent right into the ground using his strength and reach to perfection. [player_tooltip player_id="100041" first="Benjamin" last="Reiland"], Waukee, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFnf2VXSYpo">highlights</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BenjaminReiland">Twitter</a> DE, 6’4, 230 Reiland displays a clear and high pass rush competence in what he has put together on film. It starts with a terrific first step that, regardless of alignment, covers ground and takes him to the hip of an offensive lineman. Reiland does a nice job of taking angles and surface area away from his opponent to increase the likelihood of winning his matchup. Reiland is capable of winning with speed and does so often, but he really impresses when he goes speed to power. Reiland maintains acceleration through the point of attack as he places hands on his opponent and immediately influences them out of their technique. From this point in his rush Reiland does a dominant job of snapping his opponent down, using their leverage and momentum against them, to get clear of the block. His bull-pull is fun to watch. In the event that this doesn’t work Reiland stays relentless in his rush; he drives his opponent to quarterback depth and then counters underneath. He does a great job of keeping the quarterback contained when rushing the edge and when working back inside. Reiland seems to always know where the quarterback is and squares him up upon winning his battle. Reiland also displays the ability to stunt with good technique and take advantage of smaller blocking Backs and Tight Ends. [player_tooltip player_id="105141" first="Brody" last="Targgart"], Ankeny Centennial, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ERPFP">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/brody_targgart">Twitter</a> DE, 6’2, 225 Creating pressure on passing downs is tough, doing so on choice downs is even harder. Targgart is an incredibly disciplined Defensive End who has an ability that many young defensive linemen and pass rushers don’t: diagnosing plays. Targgart really impresses out of his stance as he gets hands on to feel pressure and register what is happening with his eyes. He identifies run or pass instantaneously and reacts with appropriate technique; this is a game changing commodity. Targgart’s ability to quickly diagnose and get after the quarterback on choice downs is especially effective when an offense is in some kind of zone pass protection and there is play-action, boot, or sprint out behind it. Targgart can take advantage of the time play-action gives him and apply pressure. He also disrupts boot or sprint out by setting contain right away and disallows the quarterback to set up outside of the pocket. Targgart compliments his keen awareness and instincts with violent hands and relentless pursuit. He consistently shows superior speed and athleticism as he works to win his matchup and get to the quarterback. He has a foundation of defensive line play and pass rushing ability that is elite. Expect his pass rush production to skyrocket in his next two varsity seasons. [player_tooltip player_id="100044" first="Luke" last="Gaffney"], Linn-Mar, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11127030/5f959d0d0dcac8103cd55b41">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/lgaffney6070">Twitter</a> DE, 6’3, 240 Gaffney is an absolute rattlesnake of a defensive end. He is coiled and loaded up in his stance and launches at the snap; he plays nasty and has an aggressive demeanor. Gaffney is technical at the line of scrimmage and has shown a variety of ways to get into the backfield and create pressure. One way is power; if Gaffney decides to put hands on right away he can bully his opponent. He knows how to use his length to his advantage and bull rush effectively. Gaffney has a few other weapons in the arsenal and they all impress. The first is a jab-arm over; Gaffney strikes the near shoulder with his outside hand causing the blocker to punch low and then brings his inside arm right over the top of his opponent’s punch. He uses his jab to keep the blocker stuck as he works his feet through his rush lane. The second is a counter-club; Gaffney often gets his opponent to over set, which allows him to cross face and stay in his rush lane. To do this he sells that he is committed to the gap he lined up in and then uses his inside arm to strike, taking advantage of momentum, and gets vertical through the opposite gap. Another way Gaffney wins is with a great get off beating his opponent out of their stance. All the blocker can do is try to punch and Gaffney quickly pins the arms as he passes. Braden Powers, Denver, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EXxjs">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Braden49328149">Twitter</a> DE, 6’2, 225 Powers is one of Iowa’s more underrated players who has the potential to become a household name. He can play just about anywhere on the field successfully, but really shines on film with his hand in the dirt as a Defensive End. Powers is very fast, twitchy, explosive and has outstanding body control. He generates a lot of velocity in his first movement and can get from his stance to the quarterback rapidly. He often wins with speed, setting a quick edge, and bending into the pocket. Powers’ bend is impressive; on film he noticeably shifts weight to the inside half of his body to maintain speed through a change of direction. If the speed rush doesn’t lead to a sack it, at the very least, is preventing opposing quarterbacks from getting comfortable. If a setting tackle is able to take a good, quick angle on Powers, preventing him from winning with speed, he does an impressive job of using his hips and hands to win. Powers creates an immediate threat as he gets within striking distance of his opponent, which will usually cause an offensive lineman to punch. When Powers sees those hands coming towards him he instinctively responds with a concise chop or swipe. As he works his hands he gets his hips around to position himself behind his opponent as he brings his hands through.