2024 Indiana DL On The Rise

We’re in the 2024 class looking at just a few guys who are on the rise on the defensive side of the ball. The 2024 class is beginning to stack up and the DL is one of the weaker positions as of now. The guys we’re looking at today have a chance to really separate themselves from the rest of the pack. [player_tooltip player_id="272677" first="Elijah" last="Chandler"] - Center Grove - DE/DT - 6’2" 235lbs Chandler is a jittery DL who is off the ball rather quickly and can do more than the offense anticipates initially. Chandler plays close to the ground in a sense, and because of that, he’s able to get leverage more often than not. While he is a bit on the light side and could bulk up over the coming years, he’s got the strength to bull rush and move guys back. He isn’t always able to shed the block when needed tho. However, more often than not, he’s off the line so fast it doesn’t matter. He’s able to get past guys by either bending around the corner or splitting a gap and getting small through the hole. Chandler is also a high motor guy who isn’t going to give up on any rep. He’ll chase a guy 20-yards down the field if he has to. Chandler moves around on the inside and outside of the line and can do it all. But, I think he’s arguably best as the edge rusher. He’s so fast and twitchy coming off the edge that he could easily get into the head of Tackles and begin to blow by them. Chandler has long arms and great reach as well which only helps control the edge if he wants. Over the next few years, if Chandler is able to develop and put the work in while keeping his explosiveness, he’s going to have more colleges calling than he’ll expect. Terrelle Elmore - West Side - DE/DT - 6’2" 210lbs Elmore is an upcoming force who is just starting to get a feel of how to use his body and frame to his advantage. He’s strong, powerful, looks thicker than listed, and can control the LOS. West Side typically likes to put him on the edge and let him go to work. His job is to get to the QB and blow up the run game. More often than not, he’s right there to make the play. In the run game, there are times Elmore can get upfield so fast and a bit too far that it takes him out of the play. Outside of that, he’s good in his gaps, is able to fend off his guy to get to the next gap, and make the tackle. Elmore has the speed to run sideline to sideline and chase down a guy to make the tackle. While I didn’t see him drop back in coverage, if they wanted him to become more of a versatile player and drop back from time to time, Elmore has the athleticism to do so. In reality, he could be coached up to do anything but it’s clear that he’s best around the LOS. He’s a playmaker, understands how to strip the ball, and once he’s got his hands on a guy they’re going to end up on the ground. I think over the next few years if he’s able to bulk up some and then continue refining his pass-rushing skills, he could easily become one of the more highly sought-after recruits in the state. Calab Utley - F.J. Reitz - DE - 6’3" 245lbs Utley is a lengthy recruit who is able to seal the edge and make the play when it comes his way. He’s got long arms which gives him the first real grip on the offensive linemen and helps him keep his leverage and use it to his advantage. Utley’s been really well-coached in terms of being able to shed a block, fend him to the next gap, and wrap up to make the tackle. In the passing game, Utley is able to get around the corner more often than not, push upfield, and make the play when the QB is still holding the ball. QBs against the FJR defense are told to get the ball out quick because they have guys who can get to the backfield fast and a lot. Utley is one of those guys and he’s only getting better. As he gets stronger and adds some weight, it’s going to help him become a more well-rounded player. Utley plays aggressive yet patient at the same time. He knows when to pick and choose his spots and won’t make many mistakes on the field. Utley is a relentless player on the field and will run down 30-yard to make the play if he has to. He’s just as good on Special Teams as he is on defense which only adds to his versatility. When Utley is on the field, he makes plays and that’s what schools want. If he’s able to keep developing like he is, by the time he graduates he’ll have a handful of offers to choose from.