Offseason All-Stars: Defensive line

This years offseason in Illinois was obviously extremely long and difficult for any high school athlete. So many prospects in the 2021 class got passed over due to not having current film. As for other classes, they too missed out on getting new film, but since the NCAA is on the verge of the dead period ending, they will get their opportunity later this week to show to coaches they’re worthy of offers. Many of the athletes took this in stride, as there were adjustments to the camp and workout schedules. I was able to attend a good amount of events and here are my offseason MVP’s on the defensive line. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115244" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/38ACF365-8BFE-4871-AE6F-BB35CAA82102-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="20912" first="Connor" last="Murphy"] I first saw the impressive defensive end during a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/10/fist-workout-standouts-ol-dl/">FIST workout</a> at the end of October and he stood out with his technique and potential. A few months later we met again, this time at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/02/top-lineman-from-efts-workout/">EFT’s</a> home base with those same traits plus more. The difference was the chance to get up close to him, to see Murphy interact with “teammates.” He is a future captain in the making. The final stop for our encounters was   In Wisconsin at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/the-line-wisconsin-session-2-top-ol-performances/">The Line</a> and not only did Murphy impress, he took home my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/the-line-wisconsin-ol-dl-mvps-and-best-of-the-rest/">defensive MVP</a>. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Murphy get P5 interest heading into this senior year. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-97761" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/644ED99B-C603-498A-858C-B90B1B1D7758-rotated-e1611083611424-300x254.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="254" /> Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="20893" first="Brian" last="Allen"] When I heard that Allen was transferring to Saint Thomas More in Connecticut, disappointment struck. The state lost a major player, one who grew significantly from when I saw him in September for an <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/09/eft-sunday-showcase-standouts-ol-dl/">EFT / EDGY Tim Sunday camp</a> and still was the best defensive lineman in attendance. Allen looked like he was living in the weight room until the next time I saw him and it showed. The <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/01/eft-edgy-tim-mlk-showcase-top-defensive-line-performers/">MLK EFT / EDGY Tim Showcase</a> was the stage and again, an impressive showing. Allen was one of the best during the 1v1’s against some of the best in the area. Offensive lineman won’t miss him, but we surely will. <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" /> Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="20892" first="Derrick" last="Parker"] There’s a lot of potential when an athlete like Parker doesn’t just focus on one aspect of the game, but trains to be versatile. Another one of the top <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/01/eft-edgy-tim-mlk-showcase-top-defensive-line-performers/">MLK EFT / EDGY Tim Showcase</a> performers, I would later see Parker training with a completely different group of players. In Northbrook for <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/02/qbwon-group-workout-standouts/">QBWON’s group workout</a> I found him getting defensive back work, focusing on his hips and speed, while getting reps against receivers in 1v1 situations. Parker should have a big spring. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-89576" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/Jireh-Mays-East-St-Louis-2022.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="20908" first="Jireh" last="Mays"] After seeing Mays be quicker than most at our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/09/predred-zone-showcase-session-1-top-performers-ol-dl/">out inaugural Illinois showcase,</a> the next time I’d see him what he did that day wasn’t a fluke. Another one of the talented players on hand for the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/01/eft-edgy-tim-mlk-showcase-top-defensive-line-performers/">MLK EFT / EDGY Tim Showcase</a>, Mays one again showed why he is one of the best interior lineman in the state. Playing for a stacked ESL team helps, but his play during camp season definitely stood out. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115242" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/3DB4DA7E-1FF6-400F-8F3C-2E0129706C25-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Defensive tackle Jake Paulline What I like about Paulline’s offseason was the growth. He wasn’t one of the best at a September <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/09/eft-sunday-showcase-standouts-ol-dl/">EFT / EDGY Tim Sunday camp</a>, but still put up a solid performance. A month-and-a-half later, Paulline and his wide frame was at a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/10/fist-workout-standouts-ol-dl/">Fist workout in late October</a>, showing improvement in that time frame. Another few months went by and we both headed north to Wisconsin for <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/the-line-wisconsin-session-2-top-dl-performers/">The Line</a>, and another very impressive effort from Paulline. A classic plugger in the middle of a defense, he’s primed to have a big spring. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66099" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/E26138A2-7444-4C25-9D3A-65343424EEF6-rotated-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Defensive end TJ McMillen Although it’s been a while since I’ve seen him live, the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/10/fist-workout-standouts-ol-dl/">FIST workout in October</a>, McMillen left a lasting impression. After seeing him go against one of the best tackles in the state regardless of class in [player_tooltip player_id="20841" first="Miles" last="McVay"] at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/09/predred-zone-showcase-session-1-top-performers-ol-dl/">PRZ’s camp</a>, everything I heard about him was true. He’s got a ton of talent and should again be dominant when pads finally collide this weekend. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115254" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/F82BC8D0-0050-4F41-AA92-441D86E342E2-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="65768" first="Xavier" last="Slayton"] The first time I saw Slayton it was during <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/08/who-stood-out-from-boom-showcase-day-2-class-of-2022-defense/">Boom’s Showcase</a> in August. He was solid, but not spectacular. Then a few month’s passes and with back-to-back impressive performances I was sold on Slayton. First at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/01/eft-edgy-tim-mlk-showcase-top-defensive-line-performers/">EFT / EDGY Tim’s MLK Showcase</a> then about six weeks later at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/the-line-wisconsin-session-2-top-dl-performers/">The Line Wisconsin</a>. I am really excited to see what Slayton brings to the table the new few weeks. I think it’s going to be plenty. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-55148" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/09/lorenz-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="20913" first="Christian" last="Lorenzo"] One time, that’s all it took for Lorenzo to leave a lasting impression on me. I wish I would have seen him more than <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/09/predred-zone-showcase-session-1-top-performers-ol-dl/">at our camp,</a> but that just the way it happens sometimes. What I have noticed is Lorenzo’s twitter, he’s been working extra hard in the weight room, preparing for this spring. I could definitely see Lorenzo’s hard work paying off beginning this weekend.