Next Level Ready DTs

<span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s time to give the big boys in the trenches some due credit.  But this is a list of players that is hard to come by.  The defensive stat sheets and player rankings are full of edge rushers and linebackers.  But these defensive tackles do the hard work, take on double teams, fill gaps, and get to the ball as good as anyone in the state.</span> <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="116263" first="Brooks" last="Butt"] (DT) 6’0 270</strong> <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfiB5">http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfiB5</a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">520 squat, 300 bench, 225 clean</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Butt is a powerful defensive tackle with a low center of gravity.  What impressed me watching his film is his footwork.  He has a good first step and keeps his feet moving throughout the play.  Butt has good power combined with his low center of gravity.  He is able to stand up offensive linemen and read the play.  Once he gets underneath linemen, he is very good at using his hands to get off of blocks.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Butt has started at DT since 8th grade.  Butt is a 3x All-section and All-district player.  He is also a three sport athlete participating in basketball and baseball.  </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Butt is getting looks from several DII schools and has received at least one offer to continue his football career.  </span> <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="18458" first="Bryce" last="Buckingham"] (DT) 6’3 / 240</strong> <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2F0izm">http://www.hudl.com/v/2F0izm</a> I am a big fan of this player.  Buckingham has a great combination of quickness and power.  He has a great first step and gets off the ball quickly.   He also shows that he has the speed to get down the line and make plays.  Buckingham shows that he has very good strength and uses his leverage well.  He is very good at splitting double teams and getting to the ball.  But, what impressed me the most about Buckingham is his great motor, he doesn’t quit on a play and keeps going to the end. Buckingham is receiving looks from several schools including the University of South Dakota. <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="18559" first="Jack" last="Twelvetrees"] (DT) 6’1 255</strong> http://www.hudl.com/v/2Egsmq 495 squat, 360 bench, 300 clean Twelvetrees had 44 tackles and 15 tackles for loss in 2020.  He also added 1.5 sacks to top it off.  When watching film on Twelvetrees, he often drew double teams.  He has great technique and the strength to split double teams.  Twelvetrees uses his hands very well being able to stand up offensive linemen, read the play, shed the block, and get to the ball.  Another thing that impressed me about Twelvetrees is his hustle.  He never quits on a play and often makes tackles down field. Twelvetreees will be a 2 year starter in 2021 and was 1st team All-district in 2020.  The Lumberjacks will lean heavily on him to make plays this fall. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Twelve trees is already receiving interest from several DII schools.</span> <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="18543" first="Shane" last="Lewis"] 6’2 / 275</strong> <a href="http://hudl.com/v/2EhgP0">http://hudl.com/v/2EhgP0</a> Lewis is a big strong defensive tackle.  He has a great motor and finishes plays.  He has explosive power on both sides of the ball with good quickness.  What impressed me when watching Lewis on film was his ability to take on double teams and hold his ground.  Lewis has good footwork and uses his leverage well.  He also does a great job at using his hands to shed blocks and make plays. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Lewis is already getting several looks and camp invites from school including University of Minnesota - Duluth.</span> <strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="116484" first="Clay" last="Nielsen"] DT 6’4 / 240</strong> <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FHfdR">http://www.hudl.com/v/2FHfdR</a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Nielsen recorded 44 tackles and 11 tackles for loss in 2020.  He also added 5 sacks in 2020.  Nielsen has a very good, quick first step.  However, what impressed me about Nielsen was his ability to take on and split double teams.  He has the power and strength to stand up offensive linemen, then react to the ball, and make the play.</span> I was not able to determine if Nielsen is receiving college looks.  However, he definitely has the ability to play at the next level.