Players Who Ended the Season on a High Note: Defensive Edition
We wrap up the regular season coverage here at Prep Redzone Wisconsin with a look at which players ended the season with dominant performances. I’ll be very interested in seeing if these athletes will be able to carry the momentum…
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Continue ReadingWe wrap up the regular season coverage here at Prep Redzone Wisconsin with a look at which players ended the season with dominant performances. I’ll be very interested in seeing if these athletes will be able to carry the momentum from their week 9 performances into the offseason and their winter sports. We have a great mix of talent in this week’s rendition of the top defensive performances! Let’s get right into it! Make sure you check out the film for each athlete!
Nathan Vagedes Nathan Vagedes 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Stoughton | 2022 State WI , ’22 DB/WR- Stoughton
Stat Line: 7 Tackles, 1 FF, 3 INTs
The 5’11” 170 lbs senior DB ended his high school career with a bang! This is a defensive article, but Nathan made an impact in all three facets. He hauled in a deep, contested pass for a score, and he punched out the ball while covering a kickoff. Where he really shined was on the defensive side. Vagedes flashed his natural hands, and played the ball in the air really well. On his second INT of the film, Nathan does a great job of turning and running with the WR and then feeling and leaning to know where the receiver was while he looked back to play the ball. When the ball is in the air Vagedes does a good job of becoming the receiver and gaining leverage so he has the advantage at the catch point. Check him out! Nathan vs Sauk Prairie
Kendale Thomas, ’23 LB- Beloit Memorial
Stat Line: 11 Tackles, 2 TFLs
Kendale is an LB I’ll be interested in seeing how he develops over the offseason. The 5’10” 210 lbs ILB is a thick, sturdy junior that can fill well against the run between the tackles. His week 9 highlights has clips of him winning with acceleration through the gap, and also winning with his high motor and ability to disengage with blocks and then pursue the ball carrier. Kendale has shown he can make plays from sideline to sideline too, but if he can take his range and overall athleticism to the next gear this offseason he will really increase his value to the next level. Check out his week 9 film here! Kendale vs Madison Memorial
Caymen Gebheim Caymen Gebheim 6'2" | 215 lbs | ATH Somerset | 2024 State WI , ’24 DL- Somerset
Stat Line: 8 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack
THe 6’2′ 210 lbs sophomore has seen his workload on offense grow as the season went on, but where he is at his best seems to be on the defensive side of the ball. However, the offensive highlights do a great job of giving us a look into the impressive athlete that Caymen is. Despite his size, Gebheim was able to pull away from defenders in the open field. When you put that type of speed at the OLB position you get a defender that is able to fly into the backfield with his strong first step explosiveness and acceleration out of his stance. Caymen does a nice job of transitioning that speed to power upon contact with the OL as he walks them back both as a pass rusher and an edge setter against the run. Something new that has caught my eye that wasn’t there early this season is that he is playing out in space more instead of just being used as a pass rusher or edge setter against the run. He is developing a well rounded game that should have him set up to be a highly sought after prospect by 2024. Caymen vs Baldwin- Woodville
Andy Albinger, ’22 DB- Wauwatosa East
Stat Line: 8 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU
The 5’10” 180 lbs senior safety ended his high school career with a strong performance showcasing his game. Andy does a solid job of coming downhill and filling against the run. He is tough to stick a hat on because his lateral agility allows him to quickly slip past blockers. On his interception, Albinger demonstrated some nice range and recovery speed as he was initially coming forward to attack the QB as he rolled out, but once he loaded up to pass Andy turned and got to the catch point and brought down the ball. Andy also spent time at WR for East. Check out his Week 9!
Jake Christiansen, ’23 OLB- Westosha Central
Stat Line: 13 Tackles, 1 FR
The 6’2″ 170 lbs OLB was out in space playing coverage often in his Week 9 film, and he looked pretty comfortable out there. The junior has solid body control and loose hips to be able to slide and change direction so he can make a tackle or play on the ball. Jake also possesses sufficient closing speed that allows him to put an end to quick passes and screens before they can develop and turn into more. Jake’s overall athleticism is to a point where he also is used as a WR on offense. I’ll be interested in seeing how he continues to fill out over the next year. Jake vs Westosha Central
Brent Hoppe, ’23 OLB- Turner
Stat Line: 3 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 FF
This isn’t the long and lean junior OLB’s first appearance as a top performer! The 6’4” 210 lbs outside backer finished the regular season with the second most sacks in the state with 14 in 9 games! He wrapped up the season getting to the QB one last time. Brent shows off an impressive first step and active hands at the point of attack. He also does a really good job of transitioning his speed into power as he is able to drive linemen right into the backfield and is able to quickly disengage to make the play in the backfield. Hoppe has consistently been one of the most disruptive edge defenders in the state this fall setting the table for a big senior season. Get on this dude now. The frame/length, production, strength, and quick twitch traits are all there. Don’t miss out! Brent vs Big Foot
Other Notable Performances
Caleb Hopp, ’22 DE- Ripon
Stat Line: 10 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack
Eli Stein, ’22 LB- Cambridge
Stat Line: 7 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sack
Raymond McCann, ’22 DL- Oshkosh North
Stat Line: 4 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 FR
Hunter Chenier, LB- Ashland
Stat Line: 10 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 Sack
Cam Stevens, ’22 DB- Menomonee Falls
Stat Line: 13 Total Tackles