East Central All District-Defensive Team

Nathan Fischer

January 15, 2022 @ 01:45 PM

Last week we took a look at some studs on the offensive side of the ball in the East Central District. Today we give some love to guys on defense. There are a number of two way players who probably would’ve made the defensive list as well, but here at Prep Redzone we want to give some love to as many deserving players as possible. With that being said here are five players that balled out this year on defense. DL - [player_tooltip player_id="269059" first="Zach" last="Millner"] - Annandale High School Millner is a prototypical NG. He does a great job of controlling the A gaps for the Cardinals, where he utilizes his size and strength when taking on OL. Millner is a little on the short side but it allows him to play with great leverage and makes him a tough DL to block. He plays with a high motor, which shows up with multiple hustle plays that result in tackles for loss or sacks. He finished his junior campaign with 50 tackles and 18 tackles for loss. DL - Joseph Meier - Watertown-Mayer High School Meier is tall lanky DL who shows good flexibility and bend. Meier profiles as a really good DE at the next level. Currently he is asked to play inside and he does a good job of attacking his gap and staying low. Meier has active feet that keep driving on both offense and defense. LB - [player_tooltip player_id="244997" first="Tate" last="Link"] - Dassel-Cokato High School Link is a tremendous athlete who plays with tons of energy and effort. He’s at his best when he’s attacking down hill or blitzing. His coaches do a great job of putting him in a position to succeed by lining him up all over the defense. You will find Tate lined up as an OLB, MLB and even as an edge rusher. LB - Nick Charpentier - Holy Family Catholic High School Charpentier is a very good OLB, who profiles as an edge defender at the next level. Charpentier finished with over 100 tackles on the year, leading the way for the Fire defense. As Charpentier fills out his frame and gets more reps, I expect him to become a dominant pass rusher who can routinely play in opponents backfields. DB - Donovon Brown - Princeton High School Donovon Brown is a fluid CB who shows great click to close skills for a high school DB. His ability to break on routes and make plays on the ball is what separates him from other CB’s in the district. As Brown develops look for him to improve upon his stance and route recognition. Brown is one of my favorite prospects that I have watched so far and I expect big things from him as he continues his career at UW-River Falls.