2023 Rankings Newcomers: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">DE [player_tooltip player_id='336868' first='Matyus' last='McLain'], Priest River HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>McLain is committed to Idaho and is part of a very nice in state class they have going within the 2023's. He is a very athletic edge rusher that has upside at the next level, as he shows tons of untapped potential, length and the frame to be able to pack on more weight. He is a very talented kid that can rush the passer and should be a multi-year impact player for them in the coming years. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">DB [player_tooltip player_id='395985' first='Ethan' last='Beard'], Meridian HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Beard is a long, rangy and physical defensive back and has also committed to the Vandals and is part of a big time in state class for them. He is smooth in his breaks, is physical when jamming near the LOS and offers recovery speed and length if beat downfield. Due to his high hips, long arms and football IQ, he also has some untapped potential in college and is in line for a huge Senior season. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">LB [player_tooltip player_id='341491' first='Maximus' last='Maile'], Mountain View HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Maile is one of the top linebackers in the region and is a no brainer FCS+ player in college and is very athletic for the position. A natural fit inside, he has a downhill style of play and can also make plays outside the tackles with solid lateral movement abilities and fills gaps hard, exploding through contact and playing with a high motor. Going into the Fall season, he could very well move up our rankings and will be fun to watch in the coming months. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">LB [player_tooltip player_id='340765' first='Ivan' last='Perkins'], Mountain View HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Perkins plays alongside Maile and both lead one of the top linebacker cores across Idaho. He is a in the box banger that fills hard and plays with a low hat while shocking blockers and squaring up in the hole against bigger backs. When applying pressure, he is quick off the edge with some pass rush abilities and natural bend. He also shows some sneaky athleticism and projects as an inside thumper at the next level that can play at the D-III+ level.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->