2022 Dakotas Showcase Standouts (DL)

Apologies for the delay, but today I will dive into the top Defensive Lineman from our Dakotas Showcase in Aberdeen last Sunday. As I was making my rounds around the Presentation Dome, I found myself watching the D-Line drills quite often. There was a lot of drills I hadn't seen before that seemed very effective for each of the prospects. I saw a lot of improvement from each prospect as well, shoutout to the Presentation and Northern State D-Line coaches,<a href="https://www.pcsaints.com/coach/20/4"> Josh Zimmer</a> and <a href="https://nsuwolves.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/jake-iery/1291">Jake Iery</a> for the good direction of each athlete! I will highlight the Defensive Line prospects that stood out to me with both their results in testing and in competition.   [player_tooltip player_id='326820' first='Jameson' last='Nebel']- Hamlin 2024, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jr4a3">Highlights</a>   Nebel was the MVP for the Defensive Lineman last Sunday because he stood out during the whole camp. He was about in the middle of the pack in test results for the whole camp, not jus positionally. During drills, his technique made him standout even more. Nebel was very fundamentally sound in each drill and improved in nearly each rep. When the competition came around, he exploded onto the scene. He beat the man across from him many times. His quick first step, good use of his hands, and body awareness helped him beat his guy each rep.   [player_tooltip player_id='418250' first='Vegas' last='George']- Bismarck Legacy 2023, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12595814/6365237d9a9aff0b5cd92576">Highlights</a>   George was one that stood out in both testing, and then followed through to drills and competition. His lateral movement really showed in drills and he carried that over into competition. He placed in the top five in every event in the testing portion among linemen. He won the 40 yard dash (4.9) and the shuttle (4.32). George had very quick hands that stood out in drills and helped out huge in competition. His quick feet and change in direction played big in the competition as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='533133' first='Peter' last='Jal']- Sioux Falls Lincoln 2024, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JzJ7C">Highlights</a>   Jal cracked the top ten in testing in the shuttle and L-Drill, showing a very good change in direction. When competition came around, he used that quick lateral movement to his advantage. He also had very long levers with quick hands to keep the blockers from engaging him first. His pad level also helped him move well laterally in both drills and competition, which translates to making a very hard target to block as well. He also showed some strength in the rushing drills to overpower his blocker to show versatility in his game.   [player_tooltip player_id='409549' first='Quintin' last='Westley']- Elkton- Lake Benton 2026, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JQnCN">Highlights</a>   Westley made the top ten in each testing category, top three in three of the four. What's most intriguing about this athlete is his age, he just finished his freshman year. Nate and I spoke and both agreed that this kid has a very high ceiling for the next three years. Not only were his test results good, he competed almost even better. He could bullrush his blocker and still get home, or switch it up and use speed and quickness. Lateral or straight line speed, this kid showed both and mixed them up well to continue to show out in the showcase.   [player_tooltip player_id='533093' first='Aaron' last='Meier']- Linton/Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock 2023, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13500825/6378d1444df60c0f70d2f1df">Highlights</a>   Meier placed in the top ten in each testing category as well, top five in three of the four. My thoughts on putting him in the article was that I think he will be a steal on the defensive side of the ball. Undersized for a D-Lineman didn't stop him at all. He used his speed and agility to beat the guy across from him each rep. Meier used his frame and pad level to shoot gaps quickly and avoid blocks. He also had the bit of strength to muscle through blocks and push his guy in the backfield as well. I think he would be a good DE/LB type in a 3-4 defense, both to keep contain and to get a good rush in on passing downs.

Apologies for the delay, but today I will dive into the top Defensive Lineman from our Dakotas Showcase in Aberdeen last Sunday. As I was making my rounds around the Presentation Dome, I found myself watching the D-Line drills quite often. There was a lot of drills I hadn't seen before that seemed very effective for each of the prospects. I saw a lot of improvement from each prospect as well, shoutout to the Presentation and Northern State D-Line coaches, Josh Zimmer and Jake Iery for the good direction of each athlete! I will highlight the Defensive Line prospects that stood out to me with both their results in testing and in competition.