Oregon 2024 Under the Radar: Defensive Lineman

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up next on our under the radar series is the defensive lineman. Oregon has some great talent at the defensive line, with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='511342' first='Will' last='Haverland'], [player_tooltip player_id='152335' first='Liam' last='Cassidy'], and [player_tooltip player_id='152360' first='Gabe' last='Staszak']. But for the purposes of this article, I will be taking a look at some guys that should be getting some attention but may be flying under the radar a little bit. Here are some names at defensive line that people should keep an eye on this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["511314"],"_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":"First, we have [player_tooltip player_id='511314' first='Brayden' last='Welch'], the defensive end out of Oregon City High School. Brayden played both defensive end and tight end for the Pioneers, and his film is very impressive. With Brayden's size, I like him better as a defensive line prospect, but he was also a great tight end. Brayden shows excellent instincts on the field, knowing when to rush and when to hold back and let the play develop. In several instances, he flowed with the zone-blocking scheme and then shed and attacked the ball carrier. With a good senior year, Brayden could attract some big-time offers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["152347"],"_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":"Next up, we have [player_tooltip player_id='152347' first='Hatimu' last='Letisi'] out of South Salem High School. If there were a guy on this list that doesn't really qualify as u0022under the radar,u0022 it would be Hatimu. At the high school level, he is one of the best players in Oregon. Hatimu played a lot of EDGE for the Saxons and was a problem for any offensive tackle that tried to block him. Hatimu has a quick first step and can either go around or through an offensive lineman. Hatimu has excellent closing speed as well. If he has a QB in his sights, the QB is not getting away. He also played some interior defensive line this past season and was a problem for guards because of his quickness. The only reason Hatimu is on this list is that although he is great, he is a bit of a tweener when it comes to where he fits at the collegiate level. At around 6'0u0022 and 250 lbs., he is a bit small for a collegiate EDGE rusher, even though that is where he excels. I am very interested to see what happens with Hatimu this year.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["520389"],"_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":"Now we have [player_tooltip player_id='520389' first='Kayle' last='Pisano'] out of Clackamas High School. If there is anyone who would benefit the most from a good senior year, it might be Kayle. At 6'3u0022 and 230 pounds, Kayle was a tough block for tackles last season. He has a good mix of size and athleticism, which is enticing for college coaches. I particularly enjoyed how Kayle was quick to attack and be aggressive against a bigger offensive lineman. There were multiple instances where he attempted to bull rush a tackle that was significantly larger than he was. He also has a frame that could develop nicely at the next level. With an impressive senior year, I expect Kayle to field multiple offers to play college football.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["738891"],"_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":"Next, we have [player_tooltip player_id='738891' first='Xavier' last='Orozco'] out of Silverton High School. After watching Xavier's tape, I was shocked to learn he was only 5'11u0022. He looks much bigger on tape. Xavier is a versatile defensive lineman with above-average athleticism. He played defensive tackle and EDGE for Silverton this past season and was great at both. I was impressed with his ability to shed blocks and then show off his excellent closing speed to make a play. His ability to bend off the edge was a nice bonus to his impressive film, but most importantly, he does not give up on plays. He made several tackles well beyond the line of scrimmage. At 5'11,u0022 I could see some teams viewing him as an interior defensive lineman with the hopes that their weight program would equip him with the necessary strength to play inside, but EDGE rusher shouldn't be out of the question for some schools. I am excited to see where Xavier ends up.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["511319"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Lastly, we have [player_tooltip player_id='511319' first='Connor' last='Trinica'] out of North Medford High School. What impressed me the most with Connor was his technique and ability to shoot his hips and separate from the lineman. The ability to separate from offensive linemen consistently is not a skill that should be taken for granted, and that is why I like him better as a defensive line prospect, even though he is a solid offensive lineman too. Connor also showed the athleticism to stunt and twist and can win with both finesse and power. If Connor can get stronger while retaining his athleticism, he should become a very intriguing interior defensive line prospect.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6441e9a706aa1"} /-->