PRZ Next Midwest Showcase Standouts: Defensive Linemen

<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="208769" first="King" last="Liggins"], 2026, Brother Rice (IL)</strong> King was voted one of the Top Performers at the PRZ Next Showcase, and there is good reason for that, as this young man was a beast off the line. King was able to extend out from a 6’1" frame and create distance between himself and the offensive lineman, where he was then very effectively able to run a pass move on his defender. King is a downright bully on the line in the best sense of the word, showing his will to win his battles through a physical presence in his position where he imposed his will on those he was going up battling with. King was able to take on the best offensive lineman at the camp and win most of those battles. King is the type of player who is eager to pin his ears back and get after the quarterback, so I expect to see many sacks from this young man as he moves on to high school ball. [caption id="attachment_347162" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-347162 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/98-King-Liggins-e1653503856493-300x279.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="279" /> Photo: Prep Redzone[/caption] <strong>Mark Gonzales, 2026, Taft Middle School (IN)</strong> One pass rush move after another left me stunned by the way this young athlete was already so advanced with his hands. Mark jumped out to me instantaneously during one-on-one lineman drills as I saw him execute a plethora of defensive lineman pass moves over his competition, often leaving the offensive lineman gazing off into space; this would be followed up by a matador level of a bullrush to wake his contender up, overall displaying the vast array of ways Mark can get to the quarterback. I couldn’t help but think of a James Harrison or Jadeveon Clowney level of fierceness in getting to the quarterback when Mark went through his motions. The quickness off the snap that Mark has did not fare well for the offensive linemen either, as Mark was extending and ripping before most of the o-linemen could get out of their respective stances, which led to a win most times for Mark. I wish his offensive competition well in the future, as I know Mark will be eating them up down the line. [caption id="attachment_347169" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-347169" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/62-Mark-Gonzales-e1653504372474-300x245.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="245" /> Photo: Prep Redzone[/caption] <strong>Cooper Paukstis, 2026, Still Middle School (IL)</strong> Cooper is a stout defensive lineman who showed his ability to stay low off the ball, sit in his gap with his feet underneath him, and chase flat down the line from his defensive end position. This young man played extremely low off the ball, which allowed him to get underneath the offensive lineman’s pads, and he withheld the aggressiveness to uplift the contending lineman off their feet. As Cooper fills out his frame in the coming years, he will undoubtedly be unstoppable. Accompanied by his aggressiveness, Cooper was able to keep his body in control and not fall too deep into the backfield where a play could run underneath him, an imperative skill for a defensive end. Cooper is a wise young player who has the physical qualities to take his prep team deep into the playoffs in the future. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-347041" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/IMG_2129-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> <strong>Isaac &amp; Mason Beaver, 2026, Norwalk Middle School (IA)</strong> I would be remiss not to mention the Beaver show that took place in Barrington for the PRZ Next Showcase, and it would be an additional downfall if I left one brother out. These two young men are twins in their appearance and their drive, hustle, and positional abilities. Isaac and Mason’s engines did not falter for the entire showcase, and they hustled across the field to every event they partook in. The Beaver brothers were also keen on lining up in front of the best offensive lineman at the showcase to challenge themselves with the most formidable opponent when most other defensive lineman shied away from that battle. This will to challenge the toughest offensive lineman made their grit very clear. Mason and Isaac’s physical prowess was also on display at the showcase, with both brothers exhibiting some serious speed, which outpaced some of their smaller skilled position counterparts at the camp; Mason running a 4.93 40-yard dash and Isaac running a 5.06 40. Along with their speed, the Beaver brothers illustrated great explosiveness that translates well to the defensive line, with Isaac having an 8’6" broad jump and Mason having an 8’7" broad jump. Alongside their measurables, Mason and Isaac showed a significant jump off the ball and some nice extension from the offensive lineman they were competing against. I look for the Beaver brothers’ skillset to progress over the years and for them to be dominant in the years ahead. [caption id="attachment_347166" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-347166 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/99-Isaac-Beaver-e1653503970684-300x282.jpg" alt="Isaac Beaver" width="300" height="282" /> Photo: Prep Redzone[/caption] [caption id="attachment_347168" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-347168 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/100-Mason-Beaver-e1653504077543-300x272.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="272" /> Photo: Prep Redzone[/caption] &nbsp; &nbsp;