2025 Northeast Ohio Defensive Players in the Rankings

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["444458"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='444458' first='Brandon' last='Caesar'] made a name for himself after his freshman season for his ability to shed blocks and bring down ball carriers. Caesar's physical style of play paired with his 6'4 frame at 250 lbs make him a commanding presence on the field already. He plays with a low center to get under offensive tackles and control them from snap. With his long arms, he can extend on offensive linemen to use his quick reaction to attack incoming ball carriers. His quickness off the ball can overwhelm and give him the advantage on the play before it starts. Caesar's speed once past the point of attack allows him to get after quarterbacks in the pass rush and his quick hips give him an advantage to cut down on their ability to scramble out of plays. Outside of football, Caesar is one of the top wrestlers in the area giving him another sport to shine in. Since gaining offers before his sophomore season from schools like Penn State and Kentucky, Caesar started off 2023 with a number of offers leading up to his biggest offer from Notre Dame last month.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/17021044/Brandon-Caesear/highlightsu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/17021044/Brandon-Caesear/highlightsu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["444803"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='444803' first='Laron' last='Stephen Anderson – Oliver'] is a hard hitting defensive back that plays well in open space to recognize plays before they happen. He trusts his instincts and ability to read plays in real time to attack where the play is going and prevent big plays. His tackling abilities are above average from a sophomore as he can bring down bigger guys by using his quickness to attack and bring guys down. His understanding of the game gives him an advantage before the ball is snapped. Once a play is in motion, he reads all elements of what the offense gives him to get into a spo and disrupt plays. Able to shed off bigger linemen, he plays like a linebacker when coming up to make a hit. His film impresses from the start from a player that has all the looks of a future DI talent. Already noticed by big time programs like Cincinatti, Stephen Anderson looks the part of another big time defensive back from the area.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16381411/63d946c6066183027cc4c81bu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/16381411/63d946c6066183027cc4c81bu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["541675"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cdiv id=u0022:sju0022 class=u0022Ar Au Aou0022u003ernu003cdiv id=u0022:sfu0022 class=u0022Am Al editable LW-avf tS-tW tS-tYu0022 role=u0022textboxu0022 aria-label=u0022Message Bodyu0022u003ernrnA physical run-stuffing linebacker for one of the best defenses in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='541675' first='Tanner' last='Mintz'] has a high ceiling thanks to his ability to take down ball carriers with authority. Mintz showed a lot in his sophomore season, but his best trait is his physical aggression when bringing down ball carriers. His form tackling make him a force coming from the outside linebacker position. Mintz commits to the play from the snap and comes in with intensity from his position to stop plays. When in coverage, Mintz uses his speed to get to his spot and when the ball is in the area he can separate the ball from the carrier. Mintz's intensity from the position make him another name to know on a defense that has been producing DI talent for years. On the radar of UConn already, Mintz has all the potential with two more seasons to leave an impression on coaches to find a home at the next level.rnrnu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003ernu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16171391/63914b8b19af8e04d8cfc047u0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/16171391/63914b8b19af8e04d8cfc047u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["444462"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"A cleanup linebacker who can take down any offensive skill player on the field, [player_tooltip player_id='444462' first='Eli' last='Lee'] is one of the best in the state at finishing off plays. Lee amassed 145 tackles and 13 sacks from the linebacker position to establish himself as an elite player in the 2025 class. His raw physicality makes him a coveted target of several Big Ten schools. Lee's strength is on display on a regular basis by being a linebacker who can challenge offensive linemen and often come away with a win. Lee is a reliable tackler which makes him an asset to a high level defense that has a schedule as hard as any team in the state of Ohio. He has a visible understanding of the game as he watches what the offense gives him and does an above average job of anticipating where the play is headed to end up in the right spot at the right time. Lee takes appropriate angles to cut off sweeping plays. He has the speed to disrupt plays in the open field. Lee is just getting started and has the potential to be the next big linebacker prospect in his class.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16171395/6391152c47982005382cd622u0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/16171395/6391152c47982005382cd622u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-643fdb4e08b83"} /-->