2024 Sleepers in the Trenches
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Scouting is a projection based business, and dominant defensive linemen have to be able to project into different positions at the next level. Whether playing in a different front, or switching from an end to three technique, prospects have to…
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Continue ReadingScouting is a projection based business, and dominant defensive linemen have to be able to project into different positions at the next level. Whether playing in a different front, or switching from an end to three technique, prospects have to show the skills and ability to perform as a defender at the next level. Below, I have identified five prospects who have shown they can consistently disrupt the line of scrimmage, no matter where they align as a defender.
Cameron Clayborn Cameron Clayborn 6’1″ | 210 lbs | DL Cardinal Ritter | 2024 State MO returns for his final year coming off of a state championship victory. Cameron has been on visits to South Dakota State and Indiana State. He has also been invited to Central Missouri’s junior day and will visit Butler in April. Cameron is in track season, but will be sure to get back to football soon enough with all the traveling he has yet to do.
Cameron’s anchor in the run game and explosiveness in his get off provide versatility at the next level. As a pass rusher, Cameron’s quickness and hand technique shows beating guards to the inside. Range and athleticism shows changing directions and wrapping up ball carriers for a loss in the backfield.
Kiros Martin Kiros Martin 6’2″ | 225 lbs | DL Park Hill South | 2024 State MO had six sacks throughout his junior season. Kiros’ regional recruitment is slowly picking up steam as his senior year approaches; Kiros has been to camps at Nebraska & Kansas and was just in attendance for Mizzou’s junior day last weekend.
Kiros’ range shows shedding blockers and finishing tackles for loss on outside runs in his vicinity. Good instincts show when Kiros fights to regain leverage in the run game and in quick recognition of screens as a pass rusher. Coaches like Kiros’ fast punch in the run game and clean hand technique versus tackles as an edge rusher.
Dylan Niles Dylan Niles 6’5″ | 215 lbs | DL Southern Boone | 2024 State MO is a versatile defensive end for Southern Boone High School. Dylan has had junior day invites from Central Missouri, Ripon College, and Missouri Western State. Expect Dylan to develop into a three technique at the next level.
On offense, good flexibility and quick feet show gaining leverage on smaller defensive linemen as a puller. Dylan’s anchor and power shows splitting double teams as a defender. Dylan starts his pass rushes with active hands, but good instincts and lateral quickness show countering to the inside when outside speed rushes fail. Closing speed shows changing direction and pressuring quarterbacks on rollouts.
Toby Moore Toby Moore 6’4″ | 280 lbs | DL McDonald County | 2024 State MO has been on game day visits to Mizzou and Oklahoma State. He has also visited Arkansas more than once and just received a camp invite to North Dakota State. Expect Toby’s regional recruitment to heat up as he continues to wreak havoc on offenses in 2023.
Toby’s power shows off the snap in his punch that immediately knocks back blockers and resets the line of scrimmage. Toby’s instincts show finding the ball while holding his spot at nose tackle. Next level range allows him to shed interior linemen and finish runs outside of his vicinity behind the line of scrimmage. Toby’s anchor shows near the goal line holding his ground versus double teams before meeting running backs on iso plays.
Tyrese Reid Tyrese Reid 6’5″ | 240 lbs | DL Webster Groves | 2024 State MO is a two-way prospect who will have to decide whether he wants to rush or protect quarterbacks at the next level. Tyrese holds offers from Lindenwood, Eastern Illinois, and Northern Iowa. Tyrese just visited Mizzou’s spring game and as the 2024 recruiting cycle picks up, he should be one of the fastest rising linemen in the state.
As a tackle, Tyree shows good flexibility, a strong punch, and next level reactive athleticism when mirroring edge rushers. On defense, Tyrese shows good instincts when crossing the line unblocked and immediately adjusting to attack the puller coming to earhole him. Good strength & power shows knocking back tackles with bad hand technique, then disrupting inside runs before they hit the line of scrimmage. Good length shows in Tyrese’s extension on blockers after his initial punch, while next level range shows after he sheds blockers and drops running backs four yards behind the line on sweep plays. A rare combination of size, power, and athleticism will have defensive coaches all over the midwest begging Tyrese not to play offense in college.