Week 4 – Defensive Players of the Week
A look at the three best defensive performances from Week 4. Players of the Week Isaac Engle Isaac Engle 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Highlands Ranch | 2023 State CO , Highlands Ranch Falcons (LB)(Sr.)(9) – The heartbeat of…
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Continue ReadingA look at the three best defensive performances from Week 4.
Players of the Week
Isaac Engle Isaac Engle 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Highlands Ranch | 2023 State CO , Highlands Ranch Falcons (LB)(Sr.)(9) – The heartbeat of the Falcons defense showed once again against the Roosevelt Roughriders, why he is such an importance piece, not only to the Falcons defense, but to the team as a whole. Despite the narrow 25-22 loss to Roosevelt, Engle made several key plays at various moments in the game that almost completely swung the momentum away from the Roughriders. Engle made this list, not because of the sheer numbers he put up, but because he made the biggest plays for the Falcons defense at the biggest moments against a good Roosevelt team. Looking at Engle’s stat line from his showing against the Roughriders, he accounted for a remarkable 9 tackles, a tackle for a loss, a sack, a pass deflection, and a blocked field goal. When you watch Engle’s night against Roosevelt on film, you can see his relentless motor is the first thing that stands out. High energy LB that never gives up his pursuit on a ball carrier, even when working backside and chasing ball carriers that are well down field. Great physicality at the point-of contact with would be blockers, using a combination of a low pad level, good hand placement, and strength to shed blockers and make the tackle or continue his pursuit. Rarely takes bad angles, often chasing down faster ball carriers because of this trait alone. Good understanding of gap responsibilities to fill would-be running lanes and take away space for the ball carrier. The Falcons overall as a program haven’t performed well recently, (finishing 1-9 last season at the 5A level and currently sit at 1-3 this season) which could provide some explanation for his under-recruitment. Regardless, a player of his skill level that has the production, tape, and frame (6’1, 205 lbs) to match should definitely see his ranking rise from his current standing as the number 9 LB and number 79 player overall for the class of 2023. Engle absolutely fits the mold of a collegiate LB and being one of this game’s top performers despite your team losing a tight game and moving to 1-3 on the season is something that is certainly deserving of attention.
Kalib Davis, Cherokee Trail Cougars (FS)(Sr.)(9) – Davis had one of the more quietly dominant games of any DB in the state. Davis was, without a doubt, the biggest difference maker for the Cougars defense in their 27-13 win over the Fort Collins Lambkins. For his night against the Lambkins offense, Davis registered 6 tackles, a tackle for a loss, a pass deflection, and a huge interception returned for a touchdown. When you watch the tape of Davis’s night against Fort Collins, you can see he displays a knack for finding the football, whether dropping into coverage or coming up in run support. Versatile chess piece of a player that lined up in multiple different positions depending on the formation; lining up as a deep safety, in the box safety, and nickel corner. Aggressive tackler that brings plenty of force to the point-of-contact. Displays consistently good form when making a tackle (head across the core, wrap-up, drive through contact), routinely stopping the ball carrier’s progress as soon as contact is made. Shows a good understanding of his gap responsibilities when coming up to make his run fits. Shows adequate ability as a deep defender in zone coverage, but shows consistent success when lined up in the slot as a nickel in both underneath zone coverage and man coverage. While Davis is a highly talented and productive player, his smaller frame (5’9, 165 lbs) could explain his lack of recruiting attention but ,regardless, there are players with similar frames at every level of football that have had great success. While he is currently unranked, Davis is certainly worthy of more recruiting attention and will be interesting to follow through the rest of his senior season.