5 Seniors to Watch in ’21: DL

With 7 DL in the top 48 and 2 in the top 6, it is safe to say that there is a great abundance of talent at the DL position in the class of 2022.  Here are five very talented DL to watch in 2021. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="109954" first="Kael" last="Farkes"], 6’3", 250, Shawnee Mission Northwest</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="109954" first="Kael" last="Farkes"] is the 13th ranked DL and the 81st ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  He had a good Junior season in 2020 as he made 36 tackles with 4 TFL.  He plays as a DE and DT where he lines up in a 3T, 5T and 7T.  He is excellent against the run as he uses his very good burst and quickness to put himself in good position against the reach block of the TE and gets his hands inside and uses his very play strength to shed the block.  Once the block is shed, he uses his very good instincts to take the correct angle in pursuit of the RB while displaying good range as he can play sideline to sideline and uses his play strength in his upper body, lower body and core to bring down quick as well as large RB with force easily. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="113302" first="John" last="Wrinn"], 6’3", 235, Kapaun Mt. Carmel</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="113302" first="John" last="Wrinn"] is the 18th ranked DL and the 122nd ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  In 2020, he made 19 tackles with 4 TFL and 2 sacks.  He plays as a DE and DT where he lines up in a 1T, 3T or 5T.  His versatility to play all over the defensive line makes him a huge asset to the team and someone that all opposing OL must prepare for.  He is very good as a pass rusher as he beats the OT or OG with his burst and play speed, displays very good motor in pursuit and uses his very good play strength to sack the QB with force.  Against the run, he defeats the block by the OL with his athletic ability, using his excellent football intelligence to quickly key and diagnose the play, plays at a good pad level while using his play strength to bring down the RB with ease. <strong>Hagan Wright, 6’0", 280, Wellington</strong> Hagan Wright is the 19th ranked DL and the 132nd ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  He plays as a DE where he lines up primarily in a 5T and 7T.  Against the run, he fires out low while using his excellent play strength to stack the OT at the point of attack, defeats the block with his use of hands and leverage, shows incredible range for a man that size playing sideline to sideline with very good play speed and delivers a punishing hit on the RB.  Against the pass, he uses his play strength to bullrush the OT with ease, uses his physical toughness and use of hands to shed the block with ease and uses his quickness in pursuit of the QB forcing him to throw the ball early leading to an incompletion or interception. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="113344" first="Jackson" last="Friz"], 6’5", 215, Olathe Northwest</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="113344" first="Jackson" last="Friz"] is the 22nd ranked DL and the 164th ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  In 2020, he made 36 tackles with 9 TFL.  He plays as a DE where he lines up in a 5T, 7T or Wide 9.  Against the run, he displays very good burst off the ball with good hip and ankle flexion as he gets under the pads of the OT or TE, uses his long arms to beat his man to the punch as he sheds the block, keeps his eyes on the ball carrier constantly while using his good motor to play until the whistle on every play and displays good form tackling ability as he prevents the RB from making a big gain.  Shows very good competitive toughness as he plays incredibly well when the opponent is near the goal line.  Against the pass, he uses his very good athletic ability and use of hands to defeat the block of the OT while using his very good closing speed in pursuit as he forces the QB to pass the ball earlier than he anticipated. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35543" first="Haiden" last="Berndt"], 6’3, 225, Shawnee Mission West</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="35543" first="Haiden" last="Berndt"] is the 25th ranked DL and the 184th ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  He played well during his Junior season of 2020 as he made 21 tackles with 4.5 TFL.  He plays as a DE where he lines up in a 5T.  He is a good pass rusher who is quick off the ball, dips his shoulder to get under the OT and executes a rip move to beat the OT, displays very good closing speed as he rushes the QB and forces the QB to release the ball much sooner than he anticipated resulting in an incompletion.  Against the run, he defeats the block of the OT by using his very good play strength and hand use, keeps his eyes on the ball carrier at all times and uses his play strength to bring the large ball carrier down with force. &nbsp;