PRZ Iowa | C/O 2022 Rankings | December Update

Some newcomers emerged and some existing ranked players saw their stock rise through outstanding and impactful play this fall. Take a look below to see where they landed in the 2022 position rankings update and find out what makes them so good at their craft. These Defensive Linemen had big Senior campaigns that should lead to plenty of opportunity at the next level. There are several names on this list to keep an eye on as recruiting and commitments take hold. Newcomers DL10 [player_tooltip player_id="244174" first="Tae’Shon" last="McDaniels"], 6’4 250, City High, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13259242/613cbe209a9b750a3828e833">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ShonKappa">Twitter</a> McDaniels, a dominant presence at the line of scrimmage who checks all of the boxes when it comes to measurables, was a big piece of the puzzle for City High’s menacing, top defense. His outstanding play earned him an opportunity at UNI and he jumps into the Defensive Line rankings at number 10. Many talk about “get off” as being one of the things they focus on most when evaluating Defensive Linemen; McDaniels get off is second to none. He is out of his stance in a flash and to the point of attack with a ton of raw power. It is easy to see just how much high-end athleticism McDaniels possesses. It is also easy to see on film how naturally it comes to him to use his hands and defeat blocks. The position specific technique might not be mastered quite yet, but once it is, he could dominate the Missouri Valley. DL12 [player_tooltip player_id="152307" first="Jake" last="Auen"], 6’5 230, Valley, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11366634/6191c69766562e08bcfa0c9a">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AuenJacob">Twitter</a> Valley Defensive End, [player_tooltip player_id="152307" first="Jake" last="Auen"], who is headed to play college football next year at Drake, joins the position rankings at number 12. He has so much length and compliments it on the edge with top notch mobility. This can really be seen in the way Auen attacks setting Offensive Tackles. The way he gets out of his stance, keeps everything in front of him, and gives himself a moment to recognize what his opponents are doing is well-developed. He does an excellent job of identifying pass, placing his inside hand on the collar, and working his hips around as he clears hands. What is especially impressive is the depth he can drop to as he is passing. Auen also plays with awareness and instincts that can’t be coached. He tipped a screen pass to himself against Southeast Polk and returned it 40 yards to the house. DL16 [player_tooltip player_id="244175" first="Greyson" last="Else"], 6’2 220, Urbandale, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10022148/6178c60c42071f0324161266">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/GreysonElse">Twitter</a> Else was without a doubt one of the more versatile Defensive Linemen in the state this fall as he lined up across the Urbandale front and never looked out of place in any shade or technique he was playing. Having to identify where he was lining up must have been very frustrating for offenses to do each down and the way he destroyed plays wherever that was gets him into the position rankings at number 16. He took a snap at Nose against Bettendorf and single handedly shut down the play by making quick work of the Center and then blowing up a pulling Tight End and H to make the tackle two yards deep. Else has also shown that he has some finesse in the back pocket doing things like knocking hands away on a speed swipe to get to the Quarterback or using a jab step to get home on an inside gap. DL25 [player_tooltip player_id="244176" first="Nick" last="Eaton"], 6’1 220, Ankeny, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10168269/Nick-Eaton/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/neaton52">Twitter</a> Eaton is a powerhouse of a young man who played everywhere along Ankeny’s front this fall. His ability to line up in different positions seamlessly throughout a defense really enabled the Hawks to get creative and bring pressure from all over. The way he fit into a defense that loved to attack couldn’t have been much better and he joins the Defensive Line rankings at number 25. Though a little undersized on inside gaps, Eaton had no problems taking on much larger Offensive Linemen. On many occasions he could win there with speed, but when that wasn’t an option Eaton had more than enough functional strength and leverage to take it to his opponents. Eaton also took plenty of snaps at End and Outside Linebacker where he was just as effective against the run and pass. Many downs ended violently when he lined up there. DL41 [player_tooltip player_id="201329" first="Colin" last="Murphy"], 6’3 185, Des Moines Roosevelt, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14840970/6181958abd6a6f04c0847cb3">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Colinmurphy__">Twitter</a> Murphy, a bit of an undersized edge defender, joins the Defensive Line rankings at number 41, but has a ceiling much higher than what the ranking might indicate. He is very fast and quick to react to what is happening in front of him. He plays with excellent leverage against much larger opponents. He has well-developed pass rush moves. Murphy is a player who, if given the chance to continue to develop, fill out, and get stronger, could prove to be one of the hidden gems in Iowa’s class of 2022. He does the little things like staying square to the line of scrimmage, playing flat in pursuit, bringing his hand down on the ball when making a sack, and plenty of other intricacies of the game really well that the majority of his peers just don’t do. Murphy impresses and is a player schools should take a chance on. Stockrisers DL3 [player_tooltip player_id="100842" first="Nick" last="Miller"], 6’3 205, Lewis Central, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11234605/619d0ecd3dea810894f8ef79">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/n1ck_m1ll3r">Twitter</a> Defensive End [player_tooltip player_id="100842" first="Nick" last="Miller"] put together one of the most dominant seasons in all of Iowa with 49.5 tackles, 27 TFL, and a state leading 15 sacks. The body of work is, plain and simple, that of someone who belongs at a division 1 school defending the edge. He is number 3 in the position rankings. The refined technique, mature understanding of his position and role, and elite athleticism shown thoroughly on film against top competition makes it very clear: Miller is one of the most complete defensive players in the class. Miller recorded a clutch sack-fumble in the state finals when Xavier was threatening. He had the wherewithal at the snap to recognize boot action away, stay outside the block, and get upfield with unparalleled speed and mobility to end a drive. Most players in that position would have been reached right away. DL4 [player_tooltip player_id="23973" first="Logan" last="Green"], 6’3 265, Clarinda, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11323690/Logan-Green/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LoganGr90121051">Twitter</a> Clarinda’s [player_tooltip player_id="23973" first="Logan" last="Green"], a South Dakota State commit, bumps up to number 4 in the Defensive Line rankings after proving all season long that he is unblockable on inside gaps. What immediately jumps out on film when it comes to Green’s technique is the low angle he gets out of his stance at and the leverage he creates in his first step. The mechanics and body control established when he puts his hand in the ground, something that is often overlooked when it comes to Defensive Line play, give him a big edge before the ball is even snapped. Whether winning with quickness or power, Green does an incredible job of playing at the heel when he is defeating a block so he can get flat and keep ball carriers in front of him. Green is someone who could step in and contribute early on at the division 1 level. DL8 [player_tooltip player_id="100044" first="Luke" last="Gaffney"], 6’3 240, Linn-Mar, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11127030/Luke-Gaffney/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/lgaffney6070">Twitter</a> Gaffney, who will be a Hawkeye next fall after earning a PWO, could prove to be the biggest steal of the class. He is one of the most physical and aggressive players around who punishes his opponents and has the technique and skill set to compliment his intimidating demeanor. Gaffney climbs up to number 8 in the position rankings. There is a play on his highlights where he is lined up in a 2i, his Guard pulls, and the Center comes to pin him. Gaffney, with one hand, gets under the pads of the center and throws him to the ground, while staying square, like it was nothing and wrecks the whole play. The functional strength he plays with and the way he overpowers the competition is fun to watch. The same strength shows up in his power moves that clamp down a pocket on passing downs; he’s a complete player. DL11 [player_tooltip player_id="23957" first="Braden" last="Simonsen"], 6’3 235, Ankeny, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11103383/61a99ce8d4696c09b8068a2e">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BradenSimonsen">Twitter</a> Simonsen moves up to the number 11 spot in the Defensive Line rankings and, even in such talented company, might still be underrated. Someone is going to get a special player. Simonsen checks all the boxes and there have to be some more schools out there willing to extend an opportunity. The proof is in the film and it is indisputable; the first team all-state End can flat out ball. Simonsen can rush the edge and does so with really clean chop-rip and swipe moves. The timing of his hands compliments his feet and hips so well and is a nightmare for Offensive Tackles. He can also go speed to power with a really clean bull-rip. His block destruction against the run is just as effective. The way he gets fully extended through a block and disengages violently disrupts the flow of a play and leads to a lot of tackles. DL15 [player_tooltip player_id="148775" first="Casey" last="Trudo"], 6’2 205, Van Meter, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11270724/61ad1110ab920a083095d793">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CaseyTrudo">Twitter</a> Trudo, consistently one of Iowa’s best two-way Linemen, bumps up to number 15 on the defensive side of the ball given his prowess at End that resulted in a 53.5 Tackle, 13 TFL, 5 Sack season. Something that you notice right away when watching his film is how he attacks, sets the tone, and flips the script by making Offensive Linemen react to him. Far too often young Defensive Linemen allow their opponents to get into their angle and block before they attack; Trudo gets after it and feels pressure as he works his technique. A couple things he does exceptionally well is squeeze the edge and blow up base blocks to get to the ball. Trudo has very strong hands, leads with leverage, and gets fully extended as they land. His understanding and application of position specific technique is top notch.