Top Defensive Performances: Week 4

We are over the hump and into the final few weeks of the season. Some teams are wrapping up their schedule this week while others have three matchups still ahead of them. Prep Redzone Wisconsin will be here to cover it all. This week’s Top Defensive Performers come from a wide collection of talent. We have every position covered, several talented members of the 2022 class, and a freshman LB that I first noticed at my live game last Friday and wanted to make sure we didn’t get out of this week without highlighting him for his strong performance. A lot of impressive stat lines come with the talent this week. Let’s break it all down right here, right now!

Martell Owens Martell Owens 6'2" | 285 lbs | DL La Crosse Logan | 2022 State WI , 2022 DL- La Crosse Logan

Stat Line: N/A

Martell continued his season of disruption with another strong performance in Week 4. His combination of initial burst and strength at the point of attack continues to allow him to get great penetration along the interior of the offensive line. Disruptive is the perfect word for Owens’ play because even when he doesn’t make the tackle he is effecting the outcome of the play with his penetration and gap control. My favorite play of this week’s film is the second snap where he appears to split a double team and then comes down the line top make the tackle for a short gain. That play really shows off the difference making strength he plays with and then the athleticism to get to the ball carrier. Martell’s Week 4 Highlights

Hunter Hess, 2022 LB- La Crosse Central

Stat Line: 13 Total Tackles, 1 TFL

Hunter was all over the field last Friday. His closing speed and range were on full display in this week’s film. I really like how it seems like he finds another gear when he is going in for the tackles. You won’t see him catching the player. He is looking to run them right into the ground. Another thing I noticed is that Hunter does a solid job of playing his gap. Whether he is filling inside the DE or containing outside the DE his film this week shows he can produce in both scenarios. The 5’10″ 180 lbs LB is also an effective special teams player. He destroys blockers and gets to the football. Hunter’s Week 4 Highlights

Brady Lehman Brady Lehman 6'2" | 205 lbs | DL Jefferson | 2022 State WI , 2022 DL/LB- Jefferson

Stat Line: N/A

I would currently classify Lehman as a tweener. At 6’3″ 205 lbs he will have to continue filling out, but he has the frame to be able to get to the size to either keep playing with his hand in the dirt or transition to a stand up edge role. I think he could succeed at either. His weekly film continues to show that he has the strength to set the edge against the run at this level. He also has the burst and overall play speed to pursue and make plays anywhere in the backfield. Brady does a solid job of playing with active hands too. It allows him to keep separation so he can disengage with blocks and either make tackles, pressure the QB, or get his hands up to deflect passes at the line. Brady’s Week 4 Highlights

Ross Rivord Ross Rivord 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Superior | 2022 State WI , 2022 DL- Superior

Stat Line: 2 Total Tackles. Bonus: 1 Rush, 10 Rushing Yds

The stat line doesn’t tell the story of Ross’ performance last week. The two way athlete could have made the offensive top performers with his impact as a blocker at the TE position. His strength, the use of his length, and his 6’3’’ 215 lbs frame were able to create a lot of movement. On defense, that length, strength, athleticism combination allowed him to do a good job of setting the edge against the run. He showed that he can feel pressure and fight across it to make the play. His ability to get pressure on the QB off the edge also led to what looked like an interception. It was another week of making key impact plays for Rivord. Ross’ Week 4 Highlights

Caleb Rinard Caleb Rinard 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB De Pere | 2022 State WI , 2022 LB- De Pere

Stat Line: 23 Total Tackles, .5 Sack

Caleb was collecting tackles like they were going out of style last week. Find the football and you will find Caleb. The off ball OLB’s week four film is fun to watch. He was relentless from snap to whistle on every play. His high effort in pursuit kept putting him in position to make the plays that he did. The 6’ 200 lbs junior navigated through the box with ease. His play speed and lateral agility made it so that he could get to the ball before there was even a lot of trash to work through. That speed translated into sideline to sideline range as well. This is the type of LB a lot of schools should be interested. Athletic. High motor. Productive. That’s what you want in the middle of your defense. I expect the recruiting attention to pick up steam with performances like this. Check him out! Caleb’s Week 4 Highlights

Curtis Jaskulke Curtis Jaskulke 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Stoughton | 2021 State WI , 2021 DL- Stoughton

Stat Line: 12 Total Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 FR, 1 INT

Another strong and productive week for the uncommitted senior. Curtis showed off the initial burst and lateral agility that first caught my eye at the Prep Redzone Wisconsin Showcase last December. He also showed off really good hand use. Play after play his week four highlights shows him getting separation easily, controlling the lineman, and then shedding the block to go make the play. Curtis was consistently disruptive thanks to his superior athletic traits compared to the offensive linemen he faced. Give Curtis a look if you are looking for a strong addition to your 2021 recruiting class! Curtis’ Week 4 Highlights

Tommy Drohner, 2022 DB- Stevens Point

Stat Line: 9 Total Tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU

Tommy caught my eye back in week one and he has earned another spotlight here in week four. The film jumps right into the action as he easily turns and runs with the receiver and then becomes the receiver as he high points the ball. The play speed to recovery was on display too on the play as it seemed he got beat at first due to the play action, but he quickly recovered and was right in the receiver’s hip at the catch point. The 5’9″ 160 lbs DB plays with surprising strength. He pancaked a gunner on punt return and as a receiver doesn’t shy away from contact as he tries to pick up extra yards. Tommy is fearless as a tackler too. He flies downhill to fill against the run and overall is a very sound tackler. Every time I watch Tommy’s film I’m impressed. Check him out. Tommy’s Week 4 Highlights

Colton Brunell, 2024 LB- Columbus

Stat Line: 13 Total Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 1 TFL

I should of gave him a shout out in my Players of the Game, but he deserves being in the overall Top Performers of the Week. The 6’1″ 185 lbs freshman LB was all over the field on Friday. Especially in the backfield. I have a feeling this is a name college programs are going to want to remember going forward. He already plays at a high level in several positions. Just this past week he played off ball LB, edge rusher, and made plays on offense as a pass catcher and lead blocker. Not bad for 4 weeks into his high school career. The athletic traits and play strength are already strong and will only get better as he continues to develop and train over the next 3 years of high school. The sky is the limit for Colton. He has the potential to be a pretty freaky athlete by 2024. Colton’s Week 4 Highlights