PRZ Iowa | 2023 Rankings | Winter Update | DL Breakdown
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The way these Ends and Tackles get after it in Iowa’s class of 2023 is very impressive. They feature a lot of top notch skill and high-end measurables that help them get the job done on Friday nights and should…
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Continue ReadingThe way these Ends and Tackles get after it in Iowa’s class of 2023 is very impressive. They feature a lot of top notch skill and high-end measurables that help them get the job done on Friday nights and should be very attractive to coaches at the next level. Take a look at some of the top names on the Defensive Line, newcomers and stock risers, who you can’t afford to miss out on.
Newcomers
DL6 Obald Niyonkuru Obald Niyonkuru 6'1" | 230 lbs | DL Southeast Polk | 2023 State IA , Southeast Polk, 6’1 230, hudl, Twitter
Niyonkuru is one of Iowa’s best at destroying blocking schemes and defending the run. He managed to rack up 51 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 7 tfl while playing inside gaps. His ability to get to the ball from his alignment is second to none and he joins the position rankings at number 6. It is clear that Niyonkuru plays with an acute awareness and understands exactly how to react as plays are unfolding in front of him. He does an exceptional job of staying square to the field and getting his steps down quickly so he can perform proper technique and work towards the ball as his keys take him there. Something Niyonkuru does consistently is get his hands out in front of him and to the point of attack so he is ready to fight and defeat whatever block is coming his way. Niyonkuru is so efficient through his sequence of technique on any given down.
DL7 Tayeton Lohaus Tayeton Lohaus 6'4" | 235 lbs | DL Humboldt | 2023 State IA , Humboldt, 6’4 235, hudl, Twitter
Lohaus joins the rankings at number 7 after a season in which he proved he is one of the most physical and fearsome Ends in the state. It all starts with get off and Lohaus has one of the best first steps around. There is a clip on his highlights that shows just how explosive he is out of his stance. He is so fast to react that he beats his opponent out of their stance, is on the hip instantly, and drops the shoulder to get by. The Quarterback juggled the snap and Lohaus destroyed him as he was trying to reel it in. The way he finishes plays definitely inflicts some pain. His approach to defending the run is very similar. On another snap Lohaus gets underneath and pummels a puller, putting him flat on his back, pivots out, and still makes the tackle. He checks all the boxes: length, mobility, body control, it’s all there.
DL9 AJ Petersen AJ Petersen 6'1" | 195 lbs | DL North Scott | 2023 State IA , North Scott, 6’1 195, hudl, Twitter
Petersen likely projects as an Outside Linebacker at the next level, but he looks outstanding with his hand in the ground and is a very mature, impressive pass rusher. He joins the position rankings at number 9 and is someone to get on your radar now. Petersen put up 47 tackles, 6 sacks, and 15 tfl for the Lancers as their field side End where a ton of action came straight at him. What stands out right away is how expertly he transitions to pass rush on choice downs. It is a lot easier to just pin your ears back and go when the call or situation demands it, which he is also very good at. Identifying pass blocking, though, when you have to read and react, then hit an appropriate move, and actually win your matchup to apply pressure is very difficult for young Defensive Linemen and Petersen excels in this part of his job description.
DL10 Caelum Jones Caelum Jones 6'3" | 210 lbs | DL Kennedy | 2023 State IA , Kennedy, 6’4 200, hudl, Twitter
Jones’ measurables and athleticism jumped off the screen from the get go and, over the course of the season, it became clear that his understanding of Defensive Line play and position specific technique started to catch up. If the rate at which he progressed continues, with a full off-season under his belt, expect to see him move up even further in the rankings and attract a ton of recruiting attention. Jones initially joins the Defensive Line rankings at number 10. Most noticeably, as Jones got more experience, he started using his hands really well to defeat blocks and compliment his speed. The concept of getting hands to the point of attack, creating separation, playing the heel, feeling pressure, and, sometimes, letting the block take you to the ball is hard to learn, but he’s getting it. Jones can be one of Iowa’s best.
DL11 Diego Jackson Diego Jackson 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Ankeny | 2023 State IA , Ankeny, 6’3 230, hudl, Twitter
Jackson looks like he could line up anywhere along a defensive front; he has the speed and quickness to play an edge and the power and length to dominate an inside gap. He already has demonstrated excellent block destruction and run defense and appears to have the kind of explosiveness, speed, and natural mobility that could be harnessed into a dangerous pass rusher. Jackson didn’t light up the stat sheet as a Junior, but all the signs are there, and he is a name you need to know. He comes in at number 11 in the position rankings and is on the verge of a breakout Senior season that could make him a household name. It is impressive to see how quickly he can lock out on a block and disengage. It is also impressive to see how he can use quickness on calls that have him slanting or exchanging to do the same thing.
DL13 Tylar Lutgen Tylar Lutgen 6'2" | 210 lbs | DL Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 2023 IA , Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 6’2 200, hudl, Twitter
Lutgen is an elite athlete and a perfect fit as an End in the Warriors four man front. His dominant play, the pressure created, and the destruction he caused helped him earn all-state and district linemen of the year honors. Lutgen is a new addition to the rankings at number 13. It is impressive to see all he can do from a hard shade. He is great at attacking the near hip and staying tight to the fight when rushing the passer. Lutgen is fast, but how he works through his lane efficiently makes him even faster. He pairs that speed with a precise and violent inside hand when he gets close enough to work a move. The way he steps by as he beats hands to stay in his lane is so well-trained and makes it impossible for his opponent to recover. Lutgen is equally effective against the run and can really squeeze down a block.
DL17 Jalyn Mingo Jalyn Mingo 5'10" | 230 lbs | DL Dubuque Senior | 2023 IA , Dubuque Senior, 5’10 230, hudl, Twitter
Mingo is a gap eater and a powerhouse in the middle of his defense. The way he shuts down the run gets him into the Defensive Line rankings at 17. Mingo gets so much penetration through inside gaps and lots of knockback on interior Offensive Linemen. The way he resets the line of scrimmage gives the rest of his defense a big advantage and the way he takes space out of the backfield forces plays off track before they even get going. That vertical pressure causes so many problems for an offense and having a player that can create that is a big edge to have. What really stands out about Mingo’s game is how strong his hands are. He gets under pads, runs his feet into pressure, and snaps opponents back. There are several clips on his highlights where he stands opponents straight up within his first few steps
Stock Risers
DL2 Maddux Borcherding-Johnson, Norwalk, 6’3 280, hudl, Twitter
Borcherding-Johnson, Hawkeye commit and monster Defensive Tackle, moves up to number 2 in the position rankings and to number 7 overall in the class of 2023. Borcherding-Johnson is unblockable; his size and strength overwhelms those who are tasked with lining up across from him. His season highlights feature play after play where he tosses opponents around and makes it look effortless. What really impresses is that there is a noticeable degree of technique built into his game, he doesn’t just rely on his abilities that can’t be coached. What he excels at is getting hands on, getting his body in his gap through his opponent, and then taking the outside hand off with leverage. It is mature technique, shows how ready he will be for the next level, and leads to a lot of plays. His wrestling background definitely shows up on film, too.
DL5 Nick Wells Nick Wells 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Sioux City East | 2023 State IA , Sioux City East, 6’3 230, hudl, Twitter
Wells is coming off of one of the most statistically impressive seasons for an Iowa Defensive Lineman in recent history: 73 tackles, 60 solo, 6 sacks, and 24.5 tfl. It is a crazy stat line, almost unbelievable, but is no surprise once you see his frame and how well he moves at his size. Wells climbs up to number 5 in the rankings. His first step when defending the run and attacking the shoulder in front of him is impressive. Wells shoots forward with his hands out front and hips sunk low. The leverage he creates in that first step is textbook and gives him an upper hand every snap. He is the kind of player you want to move around formations and into the tendencies of your opponent because his play and technique is that consistent. Wells also clearly has a pass rush plan and attacks setting Offensive Linemen with a purpose.
DL12 Lance Berends Lance Berends 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn | 2023 State IA , Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, 6’5 240, hudl, Twitter
Berends has an enormous frame and he uses it to perfection to take up space at the line of scrimmage. The way he sheds blocks and gets to the ball, he had 57.5 tackles on the year, is impressive and executed as well as anyone in the state. Berends moves up to number 12 in the Defensive Line rankings after a year in which he proved he is in the upper echelon of the state’s athletes. The multisport star looks like he could jump straight out of the gym when he dunks; he gets up there. On the football field Berends uses that explosive ability at the point of attack. Berends locks out quickly, fights pressure aggressively, and violently throws opponents away. The way he disengages and replaces through his gap or plays gap and a half technique and pulls the opponent across his face to get into the gap next to him is remarkable.