Indy Area Beasts in the Front Seven

Any team that wins the battle up front will likely win the game. If your defense can control the line-of-scrimmage, all the while generating pressure on the quarterback and disrupting the opponent’s running-game, then your chances to win will increase dramatically. The Indianapolis area is replete with a group of playmakers in the front seven who are ready to dominate next season. [player_tooltip player_id="107280" first="Julius" last="Parker"], 6’0, 210 pounds, Defensive End, 2023, Franklin Central https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/julius-parker/_AGI6qcuEemA0ZFtwg1OMQ/default.htm [player_tooltip player_id="107280" first="Julius" last="Parker"] is a prospect who can win in the trenches in the 3-4 scheme. Parker is an excellent run defender. He sets the edge in the running-game- either making the tackle himself or forcing the runner to have to change direction. Parker has an outstanding bull rush. He uses his power to go through the offensive tackle. He uses his hands well to further aid his pass-rushing efforts. Parker recorded 34 tackles a season ago. In that same season, he compiled nine-and-a-half tackles-for-loss to go along with six sacks and one forced fumble. [player_tooltip player_id="106986" first="Joshua" last="Mickens"], 6’5, Defensive Tackle/Defensive End, Lawrence Central https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/joshua-mickens/QYarOYAmEeqAzqREozo6lw/default.htm [player_tooltip player_id="106986" first="Joshua" last="Mickens"] has the ability to play defensive tackle, but he primarily plays defensive end- and at a high level. Mickens is extremely quick off the edge. Once he gets out of his stance, he can use that speed to his advantage by either beating the tackle across his face or around the outside. Even when he comes out of a four-point stance, Mickens consistently gets in the backfield. On plays where Mickens has gone a bit too far, he does well putting his foot in the ground, retracing his steps and getting back up field to make the play. Mickens adds great tackling ability to his already loaded repertoire. In 2021, Mickens posted 52 solo tackles and 78 stops, overall. He added an astounding 23 tackles-for-loss and a dozen sacks. Mickens managed to hurry quarterbacks an additional five times while recording seven passes defensed, one fumble recovery- which was returned for a touchdown- and five forced fumbles. [player_tooltip player_id="107259" first="Leighton" last="Jones"], 6’4, 255 pounds, Defensive End, 2023, Brownsburg https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/leighton-jones/jbr2lZW3EemA0ZFtwg1OMQ/default.htm [player_tooltip player_id="107259" first="Leighton" last="Jones"] brings tenacity and grit on both sides of the line-of-scrimmage. Defensively, Jones is a rugged defensive end. He takes on double teams and attempts from running backs and tight ends to chip him, very well. Jones fights through the block and finds a way to get to the ball. He sets the edge well in the running-game. Offensively, Jones helps his teammates as a solid blocker at tight end. During his junior campaign, Jones recorded 41 tackles with nine tackles-for-loss and five sacks. Timothy Jackson, 6’2, 240 pounds, Defensive Tackle, 2023, Heritage Christian https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/timothy-jackson/7bb3P4sTEeqAzqREozo6lw/default.htm Timothy Jackson is a force along the interior of the defensive line for Heritage Christian. Now, he will be looking for bigger things as he gets set to cap off his high school career. A season ago, Jackson mustered 14 solo tackles. In total, he registered 27 tackles. Jackson was consistently in the backfield. He came up with six tackles-for-loss as well as four sacks.