The Line IA 2022 | Defensive Line | MVP | Top Performers

On Sunday April 24th The Line, a showcase tailored specifically for Offensive and Defensive Linemen, returned to Iowa as the big boys came out to take center stage at the RecPlex in West Des Moines. This is the company’s second trip to the Hawkeye state and their event features: position specific drills and instruction, laser verified combine drills, realistically organized one on one’s, several College staffs on site for recruiting, and so much more. The event saw a tremendous amount of talent come out from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Find out which Defensive Linemen stood out in a truly elite group over the course of the day through impressive reps and first rate combine metrics. The Line will be returning to Iowa and other regional locations soon to continue to build lasting connections and provide second to none opportunities for Linemen across the Midwest. Defensive Line MVP <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-331196" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/016-Jackson-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /> Diego Jackson, Iowa, Ankeny, 6’3 240, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12764711/61a67615a018c60b24b5c8f4">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Diego_Jackson33">Twitter</a> Jackson, named Defensive Line MVP by The Line’s coaches and scouts that attended the event, was a little buried on the depth chart last year with Ankeny, but really shined in limited appearances. Jackson is one of the top breakout candidates across the state heading into 2022 and is likely to see his recruiting pick up a lot of steam. Everything he did at the event verified this; from his combine metrics, to his position specific athleticism, and ability to execute top notch pass rush moves Jackson was nothing short of impressive from start to finish. While others stood out in spurts or in individual segments, Jackson was consistently at the front of the pack throughout. While all combine metrics were excellent, Jackson’s 10/20 split and broad jump took the cake. He ran a lightning quick 1.6/2.85 and launched himself to notch a 9’1 jump. Even at Jackson’s size he was one of the fastest and most explosive in attendance. He really dropped jaws during position specific drills, especially on a get off competition that tested athletes’ bend. His acceleration and depth through changes of direction was remarkable. Jackson was as competitive as anyone during one on one’s and was able to hit clean secondary moves off his bull rush and long arm. Defensive Line Top Performers <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-331200" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/036-Petersen-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /> AJ Peterson, Iowa, North Scott, 6’0 210, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/13195003/617afff0688f160344d336d3">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ajpetersen30">Twitter</a> Peterson, an edge defender out of North Scott who would make an exceptional 3-4 Outside Linebacker and pass rusher at the next level, was among the fastest at the event as determined by assessed metrics and the outcome of a get off competition, which he won. Peterson caught a lot of eyes with a 4.65 pro agility and victories over the event’s speediest attendees in a drill that pitted Defensive Linemen against each other to evaluate the degree to which natural athleticism has been molded into position specific technique. What was also made undeniably clear by Peterson at this event was his toughness; his willingness and ability to take on significantly larger opponents and come out on top was on full display. He packs a massive punch at his size and should not be overlooked. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-331207" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/013-Roskop-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /> Keaton Roskop, Iowa, Linn-Mar, 6’3 211, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14760047/617f0f83bd746c0bb45b8310">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KeatonRoskop">Twitter</a> It is undeniably obvious that Roskop has the sort of frame and natural ability that will see him blossom into one of Iowa’s top high school players over the next couple of seasons. Roskop has noticeably good stance mechanics and a very quick first step, which makes sense when you consider his 9’3.5 broad jump and 1.59 10 yard time. He also knows how to use that 75 inch reach of his, which was on full display during drills and one on one’s. The way he was able to extend his near hand when passing rushing, whether in drills or competition, to close down space, threaten opponents, and effectively get from point a to b faster was impressive. On a few occasions that hand froze Offensive Linemen or triggered their strike giving him an upper hand and something to take advantage of. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-331211" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/062-Niyonkuru-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /> Obald Niyonkuru, Iowa, Southeast Polk, 5’11 227, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12782624/6201452ef31dcc077c170d87">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Obaldn">Twitter</a> Whatever school that takes a chance on this undersized Defensive Tackle is going to see it pay dividends because Niyonkuru is one of the most polished and powerful interior pass rushers you’ll see at the high school level. What he might lack in frame he more than makes up for in lean mass and explosive movement. Niyonkuru is a very slender 227 pounds; he looks like he could pack on quite a bit more weight over the next few years with ease and be more than capable of battling with some real monsters on the other side of the ball. Niyonkuru did well across the board, but what stood out most was his ability to create space for himself to work through when rushing inside gaps. He used jab steps to set up moves that brought him across the face and home; he also used those jab steps as bait to perfection. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-331308" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/033-McMurran-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /> Zavion McMurran, Iowa, Estherville Lincoln Central, 6’0 209, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12641183/61e85da1bd6ab20bc4dbebfd">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/mcmurran9">Twitter</a> Arguably the best pure athlete at the event, established two-way star who totes the rock and disrupts backfields Zavion McMurran proved that he is a Division 1 caliber edge defender through exceptional combine metrics and consistent, high-end reps in drills and one on one’s. His broad jump was 9’5, his pro agility was 4.43, and his 10/20 split was 1.57/2.71. If you need someone who can win off the snap and close on the ball in a flash McMurran is a player to check out and get on your board. The quickness of his feet and his functional strength is what stood out most during the rest of the event. He was raring to go with second to none twitch on his first one on one rep. His get off was simultaneous with his opponents initial drive and, McMurran, behind heavy hands ran him straight over. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-331320" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/028-Ayala-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /> Joey Ayala, Illinois, Wheaton St. Francis, 6’2 218, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1864806/61989c4632dcbf0a6ca088d9">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeyAyala16">Twitter</a> Ayala’s movement and body control was one of the hot topics among coaches and scouts throughout and immediately following the event. Take a look at his showcase footage, specifically his combine reps, and you will see why. His agility, mobility, and nimbleness is off the charts and that is reflected in some truly outstanding drill times. His 10/20 split was laser verified at 1.55/2.7 and his pro agility at 4.3; Ayala has all the natural ability you could want and should see his stock rise quite a bit heading into his senior year. It was also abundantly clear that all the ability translates quite well into position specific skill. He was one of just a handful of athletes who demonstrated excellent technique in a block destruction drill. Ayala moved explosively through his stance, with terrific leverage and posture. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-331325" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/034-Wood-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /> Tyler Wood, Illinois, Wheaton St. Francis, 6’1.75 294, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13680919/61a6a535c1250b0670e5a97b">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerJWood3">Twitter</a> It would be shocking to witness a one on one performance again in this lifetime that was as dominant as Wood’s was at The Line Iowa. He didn’t lose a single rep and had an absolutely huge arsenal of pass rush moves to show off. Though it would be tough to choose, the most impressive move may have been a fake spin that absolutely froze his opponent. Wood had hit several chop-spins already and the Offensive Linemen had picked up on it, so he used it as bait. Wood brought the chop down and threw his outside shoulder back, but kept on moving right through his gap to get home untouched. Wood also moved incredibly well at his size throughout position specific drills and combine reps. There is a ton of upside in recruiting him given how refined and next level ready his technique is at the moment. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-331327" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/004-Gallier-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /> Jack Gallier, Illinois, Mahomet-Seymour, 6’0 240, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14190369/61932a7f5caaca0460f74bd4">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JackGallier4">Twitter</a> Gallier is both technically proficient and exceptionally athletic; when it comes to being versatile and well-rounded he was certainly one of the most impressive at the event. Gallier’s mobility through the hips and ankles really impressed during drills. Many struggled to move efficiently when working through a drill that had them flipping hips and bending, not Gallier. He, from the ground up, expertly shifted his weight and leaned to stay upright, kept a big chest, and maintained speed through what the drill was assessing. In other words, he passed with flying colors. Equally impressive was the high capacity he showed during one on one’s to be able to rush from the outside and on inside gaps. Gallier projects to be an excellent 3 or 4 technique at the next level and is ahead of the game from a development standpoint. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-331335" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/045-Wraalstad-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /> Brandon Wraalstad, Wisconsin, Oconomowoc, 6’3.75 247, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11577519/616edeb4da5c1d08a47368e8">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BWraalstad">Twitter</a> The reigning Defensive Line MVP from The Line’s last event in Illinois had another big time outing in Des Moines. Brandon Wraalstad is on his way to being one of the most sought after prospects in Wisconsin. Though he is a little green when it comes to his position specific technique, it is clear that he is a sponge and will pick up whatever he needs to very quickly. Wraalstad won is one on one reps with superior strength and speed. He does an excellent job of beating opponents to the edge and making setting Tackles very uncomfortable. Wraalstad, throughout the event, took coaching incredibly well and, be it in live reps or drill reps, was able to incorporate newly explained technique into his repertoire right away. It is hard to see Wraalstad growing into anything but a dominant player at the next level. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-331336" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/002-Walker-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /> Barrett Walker, Nebraska, Pius X, 6’3.5 277, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/14149400/61aa96a38cd3e804bc195437">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/barrettwalker68">Twitter</a> Walker, the lone representative of Nebraska at The Line’s Iowa event, was one of the best Defensive Tackles in attendance. He is very lean and put together for his size, but clearly has a ton of room to fill out over the next few years with assistance from the weight room. Walker was most impressive during one on one’s. He routinely made easy work of some of the top Guards and Centers in the house. Most notable was how precise he was with his hands; from the placement of them to the way he used them to stay clean against the strikes his competition threw at him, Walker was excellent. Walker seemed to be able to read the depth of sets as he was attacking and was conditioned enough to know what to do with his hands once he was close enough to use them. He is someone to get to know.