Best of Week 7: Defensive Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I went searching for more new athletes that I haven't been made aware of to this point. I was successful in doing so. So, not only do we have standout efforts and numbers. WE also have a couple new names to shine the spotlight on, and get in the rankings after the season. All three levels of the defense are also represented in the seven athletes selected for this week's top defensive performers. Let's get into it, and then we are on to Week 8!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633deea9dea93","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["405623"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 10 Tackles, 3 PBUs, 3 PATs, Game Winning FGu003c/emu003ernrnWe have Ashton listed at RB currently, but we will be switching him to safety during our next update after the season. The 6'1u0022 athlete fits well in that position, as well as being a clutch and reliable kicker. The junior safety can act as an extra LB when he aligns near the box to stop the run. Ashton does a solid job of avoiding blocks and all the trash between the tackles to get to the ball carrier. He can also play back at the traditional safety spot where he can read and diagnose plays. Fischer does a solid job of that. The next step in his development is to become more aggressive, trust what he reads, and don't hesitate. The three level player also has evidence of being effective in coverage. His timing is sharp when going in to break up passes. The Rapids safety has the mental and physical traits. I'm excited for his development over the net year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_633e264ddea9a","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14701246/6339c1d3b535bd027ce2a004' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633def9fdea94","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["300277"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 11 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sacku003c/emu003ernrnWhen it comes to defensive players Gus is one of my favorites in the state. He is such an explosive and violent player. That explosiveness turns into power in a flash. The 6'1u0022 225 lbs LB plays all over the field for Middleton. LB, DE, FB. Just get him on the field, and let him be the disruptive force that he is. Gus is able to disengage and shed blocks with his strong hands allowing him to make a lot of plays at the line of scrimmage or behind it. At MLB, he is definitely raw because it is his first year at the position after playing DL in 2021. However, you can't ignore the physical attributes that will make him a force in the middle of a defense as he continues to be coached up. The surface is just being scratched with Wenning. He is going to be a steal.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_633e298cdea9b","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13022232/6339b1790428a405f43be475' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633df029dea95","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["300169"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 9 Tacklesu003c/emu003ernrnThe 5'10u0022 195 lbs athlete is a two way starter for CGB. His most natural fit is on the defensive side where he mans the ILB position. Deven is a slippery one to try and stick a block on. Multiple times this past week we see him beat blocks with his lateral agility leaving linemen grasping at air. CGB needed every one of his plays to help pull off the narrow victory in Week 7. Check out those plays below!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_633e2beedea9c","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13491022/633c86762347ef05f0f67fcc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633df0b6dea96","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["304432"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 6 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sack, 1 INT, 1 PBUu003c/emu003ernrnThe 6'1u0022 230 lbs senior aligns all over the field for the Dells football team. His most natural spot is off ball LB. Hunter made an impact in every facet this past week. He nearly had a pick six as he perfectly undercut a route by the TE/ H back. Hunter has the range to go from his OLB spot to the sideline to make a stop for little to no gain. Plenty of range for an off ball OLB. Isaacson also has the strength to take on blocks and set the edge against the run game. I don't see any offers for the senior. His Dells team has multiple hidden gems. Hunter leads the way.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_633e303cdea9d","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12475393/63383a6190f0860e7c37509e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633df5a7dea97","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Liam Murphy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Oshkosh North","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 11 Tackles, 1 INTu003c/emu003ernrnThe 6'3u0022 185 lbs junior OLB doesn't have the size on his frame, yet. However, he does have me excited for his development over the next year. Liam is a long athlete with solid body control. Body control that allows him to play off the ball and out in space. The junior has good range out in space. He can cover ground with his long strides, and he has good awareness for what is going on around him. That was key as he saw the tipped pass that he picked off. Despite his long strides, Liam can move lateral in tight areas with quickness when he needs to. This is my debut of Liam. I'll be watching to see his development over the next year or so.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_633e349adea9e","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15664970/633834c0688e780964ed9454' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e0134dea98","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["105033"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 13 Tackles, 1 TFLu003c/emu003ernrnwith Sun Prairie splitting into two schools we have gotten to see several more athletes breakout this season. I have covered a few of them, and the mos recent is now Ean. The junior LB/TE navigates the trash between the tackles well. He slips off blocks, makes them miss with his lateral agility. His blitzing highlights shows an athlete with good timing, and the ability to get to the ball. He doesn't just fly into the backfield out of control. The 6'1u0022 205 lbs athlete did a good job of finding the ball, and getting to it. Good to see him get his chance to shine in the middle of the West defense. Name to follow.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_633e373edea9f","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14614717/6338918e34488805c8798baa' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633e0355dea99","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Thomas Mudd","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"West De Pere","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 1 Tackle, 2 INTs, 1 Pick Six, 1 PBUu003c/emu003ernrnWe have a hidden gem here. The 6'3u0022 185 lbs senior safety looks like a steal. He is a long safety prospect with the ball skills to be a turnover machine. He turned one of his picks into a TD, and the other was a highlight reel worthy, one-handed INT. His hands are a strength of his. Thomas accelerates out of his backpedal smoothly, and closes on the ball. The range is there as well. He can play a deep half and easily get to every spot in his zone in time to make plays on the ball. Mudd also plays some OLB. The potential is high with this kid, and it looks like he has no offers. Get on this kid now. He is on the rise! Check out his season highlights below.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_633e3949deaa0","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14779224/633b836dd21ad517cc9aac5a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->