Top 2023’s Without an Offer: Defense
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In-depth analysis of some of the top 2023 defensive prospects in search of their first collegiate offer. Matai Sarte WA #58 LB #4 HEIGHT 6'2" WEIGHT 235 POS LB CLASS 2023 View Profile Matai Sarte Instagram Twitter State: Washington School:…
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Continue ReadingIn-depth analysis of some of the top 2023 defensive prospects in search of their first collegiate offer.
Sarte is one of the most slept on 2023 prospects in the state. He’s got a good skillset for a college level inside LB with the size to match at 6’2” 235 lbs. He’s a downhill and attacking defensive player with a quick trigger to read and react. A plus athlete that can bend off the edge as a rusher or flip his hips to redirect and close space on the ball in a hurry. Love his short area burst and acceleration to break on the ball. Active hands, he does a good job using them effectively to disengage and free himself up to make a tackle. Plays full speed and fast on every down and is smart/efficient with his attack angles. Strong and powerful at the POA he drives through contact and finishes to the ground with aggression. Voted first team all-league.
Turner’s got a strong foundational skillset to build on with plus size, length, and athleticism at 6’1” 185 lbs. He’s a rangy safety that can play sideline to sideline and be equally effective in run support as he is in coverage. Good all-around game speed to cover the deep half of the field or come downhill and close space in a hurry. Excellent open field tackler that does a good job breaking down in space and wrapping up to the ground. Grew up playing basketball and also a good receiver on the offensive end. Still new to the game after just completing his second season of football but has the size and skillset to be a quality college prospect as he continues to develop.
Kruger is an active and instinctual LB that has been voted KingCo Defensive Player of the Year back to back years. He’s a savvy athlete with great anticipation and reactionary quickness to diagnose and disrupt plays as they are developing making a ton of play at or behind the LOS. High football IQ with excellent eye discipline and efficient movement in his angled pursuit. Does a good job avoiding blockers and fighting through contact to free himself up. He’s relentless in pursuit showing good speed and short area burst to chase and redirect to the ball. Strong at the POA using good leverage and pad level, he’s a violent tackler that explodes on contact and delivers heavy strikes. Has a knack for big plays and creating turnovers. Deserves to be more highly recruited.
Dhaliwal has good length, frame, and growth potential to build. At 6’4” 215 lbs. he’s got a lean build but is a plus athlete that can add weight to his frame without sacrificing his speed and quickness. He’s explosive off the edge with good initial quickness firing out with a quick first step to gain positional leverage and beat blockers to the spot. He shows he can use his bend and body control to work around the edge as a stand-up DE or with his hand in the dirt. Good game speed, especially in the short area and in pursuit, he’s a strider that can eat up space quickly. Does a good job using his athleticism to keep blockers off him and avoid contact. Excels as a pass rusher that can get after the QB and collapse the pocket before the play develops. Intriguing prospect that could transition well to multiple positions depending on need and scheme.
Pletcher is a natural defensive football player that will surprise some people with his playmaking ability. He’s a savvy athlete with good range that can run and play multiple spots effectively. High football IQ, he has a great nose for the football and always seems to be in position to be a difference maker. He’s well coached with good technique/footwork and in combination with his instincts and anticipation he’s able to diagnose plays quickly and trigger. Plus route recognition, he plays well with his eyes cutting passing lanes, anticipating passes, and reacting to the football. Aggressive tackler that can disengage from blocks and line up ball carriers to deliver strong contact at the POA. Voted the DB MVP at the National Preps Showcase last offseason that had many of the top recruits in the state in attendance and finished this season with 72 total tackles and eight TFL.