Elite Minnesota 0 Week Defensive X-Factors

After covering the offensive X-Factors for teams playing in the upcoming 0 week. I figure it's only fair that we also show some love to the other side of the ball. The 10 teams have no shortage of defensive star power that can impact games, across all positions. Let's highlight some key difference makers for these 0 week matchups.   Coon Rapids:   Erik Anda: 2023 LB 5'10" 200 lbs   Anda is perhaps one of the most underrated 6A players. He is incredibly quick and often utilizes that agility when blitzing. He gets off blocks fairly well and has a natural nose for the ball. I consider him a premier-run defender. He gives incredible effort whenever he's on the field and shouldn't be underestimated.   Griffin Thom: 2023 DE 6'4" 205 lbs   Thom has all the necessary athleticism to succeed at DE. He made the transition from QB towards the end of last season and he has the potential to be a big difference maker for the Cardinals this year. I'll be curious to see how big of an impact an offseason to learn and practice will have on his game. If he can develop further, he'll be a menace for offenses to deal with.   Edward Talba: 2023 LB 6' 190 lbs   Although his junior year was cut short due to injuries, Talba looks to bounce back and have an incredible senior season. Talba is a great pass rusher as well as a viable run stopper. Overall a very solid edge rusher who looks to make up for lost time this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='242380' first='Logan' last='Ness']: 2024 LB 6'2" 160 lbs   I love the potential Ness has. Another edge player for a stacked Cardinals defensive front. Ness is fast and a hard-hitting versatile linebacker. He can come off the edge and ruin a QBs day, or sit back in a zone and light up the poor receiver just trying to catch a pass. Although he may not have the strength or experience of the other Cardinal's LBs, Ness plays like a man on fire and is an always dangerous threat.   Brainerd:   [player_tooltip player_id='242494' first='Dylan' last='Gross']: 2024 LB 6'2" 210 lbs   On a defense dominated by last year's senior class, Gross started as a sophomore. He's a very well-balanced player viable in all situations. He can get off blocks and fly through the line on the run and can lurk in zones during the pass. Gross has a great frame, good speed, strength, and game IQ. Colleges and opposing teams alike need to watch the film on this kid.   Chisago Lakes:   [player_tooltip player_id='312981' first='Tyler' last='Drury']: Ath 2023 6'1" 160 lbs   Some readers may recognize Drury's name from the offensive X-Factors post. Drury is a plug-and-play, high-flying hard-hitting player. He lines up from linebacker to safety and everywhere in between. He's a little raw as a prospect but could be a huge difference maker for the Wildcats this season.   Delano:   Luke Frank: LB 2023 6' 215 lbs   Frank is lethal off the blitz. He sprints through gaps as a man possessed. He's an incredibly efficient tackler and has great speed when breaking from the top of his drop. Frank is gonna be a key anchor for the Tiger's defense this year and I'm excited to see how he performs.   Becker:   [player_tooltip player_id='309223' first='Harrison' last='Kent']: LB 2023 6'2" 200 lbs   Kent returns as a leader from what was a stud Becker defense in 2022. He functions more of an edge player and uses his speed to get around bigger and slower tackles. He's got really good patience in the run game and uses his long arms to keep blockers at bay long enough for him to figure out where the play is going. Kent is going to be a key difference maker for the bulldogs this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='112129' first='Dylan' last='Weber']: LB 2023 6' 185 lbs   Weber is the perfect counterpart to Kent. While Kent wreaks havoc on the outside, Weber holds down the interior. He has a quick first step and has great speed which he often uses to shoot by blockers before they know what's happening. When he does get engaged, he's quick to throw his opponent off. He reads the offense very well and I'm excited to see how the paid does this year.   Rocori:   [player_tooltip player_id='242378' first='Will' last='Steil']: DB 2024 6'1" 185 lbs   Steil had a stellar sophomore season and looks to continue that success In 2022. He's a bigger body than most high school DBs and it shows on film when he bullies receivers on jump balls. He is much more aggressive in the run game than your typical high school corner, so you effectively get the run-stopping abilities of a safety with the no-fly zone of a corner. Steil was a key player last season and he will be highly touted this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='392533' first='Grant' last='Tylutki']: DB 2025 5'10" 175 lbs   Starting varsity as a freshman is a sign of a very special player, and Tylutki is no different. He starred on special teams as a return man and was pretty solid in coverage. Where he really excelled was stopping the run. He flew like a cruise missile to the ball carrier. With a year of experience under his belt, Tylutki could be a premier 4A DB in no time.   [player_tooltip player_id='392565' first='Blake' last='Tylutki']: LB 2023 5'11" 215 lbs   Grant's older and bigger brother Blake is also a stud player on the Spartan's defense. While not nearly the pass defender his brother is, Blake is still fairly adept and covers his zone well. Like Grant, he is a much better run defender and must have vice grips for hands because if he even gets a finger on a running back, he's not going anywhere. I love the chemistry these two will have this season and the defense should make for some very entertaining football.   Sartell:   [player_tooltip player_id='112062' first='Parker' last='Knutson']: 2023 DB 6'1" 185 lbs   This dude is a BALL HAWK. A wise man once told me that high school football was made off bad corners. He clearly didn't see Knutson play. The kid always seems to find a way to the ball, no matter how unlikely it is. Even when the quarterback throws it away somehow Knutson is there ready to take it. He's no slouch in the run game either. You cannot throw the ball when Knutson is within a 5-yard radius of the intended receiver.   St. Cloud Tech:   [player_tooltip player_id='313291' first='Brayden' last='Schmitz']: 2023 DB 5'10" 150 lbs   Another DB who is also a pretty great return man. He puts himself in great positions to succeed on defense and functions very well as a "last line of defense" against escaping runningbacks or wideouts. He's a great tackler and will probably be the anchor once more for the Tiger's secondary.   Hutchinson:   [player_tooltip player_id='287257' first='Alex' last='Elliott']: 2023 LB 6'2"185 lbs   Jack. Of. All. Trades. The best pass-covering LB on this list, he contests passes and can clamp RBs. He's mastered the gator roll so no one gets away from him. Big, fast, and cerebral, he is probably one of the most well-rounded players on this list.   [player_tooltip player_id='19007' first='Logan' last='Hoppe']: 2023 DT 6'4" 250 lbs   This dude plays the game the right way. Clogs up holes in the run game and destroys the QB in the passing game. He never stops running his feet and despite his big stature is typically the low man at the point of attack. He manhandles smaller IOL and uses his long arms to keep the bigger ones away long enough for him to make a play. Hoppe is going to have a legit senior season.   St. Cloud Apollo:   Oakly Louangsyharaj: 2023 Ath 6' 215:   The film is hard to find on this kid, but that didn't stop him from making a difference for the Eagles in 2021. Oakly can line up at a variety of positions but honestly does best in the trenches. One of a few returning starters from last year, it falls on his shoulders to be a leader and help show the young guys how it's done.

After covering the offensive X-Factors for teams playing in the upcoming 0 week. I figure it's only fair that we also show some love to the other side of the ball. The 10 teams have no shortage of defensive star power that can impact games, across all positions. Let's highlight some key difference makers for these 0 week matchups.