Show Me State Sleepers: 2024 Defensive Ends
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Defensive Ends can be asked to play a variety of roles on the edge nowadays. Fortunately, the prospects on this list have no trouble shifting up and down the line of scrimmage. Below, I detail why these five defenders have…
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Continue ReadingDefensive Ends can be asked to play a variety of roles on the edge nowadays. Fortunately, the prospects on this list have no trouble shifting up and down the line of scrimmage. Below, I detail why these five defenders have the necessary tools to be a versatile defensive end at the next level.
Sam Sutter Sam Sutter 6’2″ | 210 lbs | TE Rockwood Summit | 2024 State MO is a versatile defender for Rockwood Summit High School. Sam visited Butler, UNLV, and Tennessee State University just last month. He has also visited Washington University in St. Louis and been in contact with a number of Ivy League schools; Watch for a school outside of the region to be Sam’s first offer this summer.
Sam’s strength shows holding his spot and not giving any ground as an edge defender versus the run. Polished hand technique and bend shown as an edge rusher highlights Sam’s pass rusher potential in college. Good awareness and change of direction shows dropping from an outside linebacker alignment to flat coverage responsibility; Experience doing more than rushing the passer highlights 3-4 versatility in college.
Highlights
Lance Peters
Lance Peters
Lance Peters is a solid edge defender for Central High School. Lance visited Benedictine last month and also attended a camp at William Jewell. With more events to attend this summer, be on the watch for Lance’s regional recruitment to heat up.
Lance’s strength shows holding his spot versus the run and pushing the pocket with his bull rush as a pass rusher. Lance shows good hand technique and closing speed using counter moves to pursue scrambling quarterbacks. Good instincts show quickly changing course to pursue QB bootlegs; Awareness also gets displayed in fast recognition of screen passes.
Tucker McDowell
Tucker McDowell
Tucker McDowell is a talented defensive end for Platte County High School. Tucker received his first offer from Benedictine College this month and most recently visited Augustana in South Dakota. Tucker has been invited to more camps this summer so don’t be surprised when more offers come in before his senior season begins.
Tucker shows good instincts quickly recognizing wide receiver screens. Tucker’s athleticism shows in a fluid change of direction in the backfield, while next level power shows finishing tackles for loss with a pop. Fast hands and flashes of quickness show slipping blockers in the run game. Coaches see Tucker’s pass rush versatility in a number of ways when evaluating his film. Good length and closing speed are ideal for an edge rusher position, but Tucker shows power rusher versatility bull rushing blockers into the punter for a blocked kick.
Jalen Burnett Jalen Burnett 6’2″ | 210 lbs | LB Raytown South | 2024 State MO is a long, talented defensive end from Raytown South. Jalen has visited Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri State, Central Missouri, and Northwest Missouri State just this spring. Jalen has put on some weight and has more camps to showcase his progress at this summer. Don’t be surprised when the athletic pass rusher becomes a recruiting target for more schools in the region.
Jalen displays good strength and closing speed shedding blockers and changing direction to pursue ball carriers in the run game. Jalen’s length and good acceleration displayed off the edge are exactly what coaches visualize him doing as a pass rusher in college. Jalen’s 3-4 outside linebacker versatility shows in good awareness and athleticism that allow him to quickly react when he is targeted in zone coverage.
Highlights
Blake Walls Blake Walls 6’3″ | 220 lbs | TE Fort Zumwalt East | 2024 MO is a rising prospect out of Fort Zumwalt East. Blake’s most recent visits were to Kansas State and Nebraska. He also attended a junior day at Ball State in January. Watch for the good-sized defender to receive his first offer sooner rather than later.
Blake shows fast hands and explosive lateral quickness executing inside pass rush moves from an outside linebacker alignment. Good closing speed shows pressuring the quarterback after a delayed start off the edge. A fluid change of direction and good tackling ability consistently allow Blake to disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage. Next level strength shows as an offensive or defensive end reestablishing the line of scrimmage with good push off the snap.