Rising Defensive Recruits After The 2023 UINDY Mega Camp

<p>Yesterday we went through and hit some of the offensive recruits who really stood out from UINDY's Mega Camp. Today, we're hitting some of the defensive recruits who looked great!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='321379' first='Trenton' last='Nixon'] - Merrillville - DE/LB - 6'4" 195lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Nixon had a fantastic day and really looked like one of the most explosive defensive players across the board. He's able to play near the LOS and drop back into coverage. His athleticism allows him to do both, and his length helps him in both as well. When rushing the passer, he's able to get low and bend around a lineman. He's got really long arms and that allowed him to dictate a bunch of reps on Saturday. Add in his natural strength and you've got a pretty nice Edge rusher prospect. However, Nixon's athletic enough that he could be moved around. Maybe as a LB, maybe someone you unleash to attack the passer, but either way he's athletic enough to make both options a possibility. His game tape shows all the same traits, except just under live reps and bright lights. He's heading into his junior year and is already a healthy 6'4" and 195lbs. By the time he graduates next year, he could be a really nice 210-215lbs, and be able to make an impact at the next level sooner than later. I like Nixon, I thought he looked great on Saturday, and I'm really excited to see what he does this fall because the flashes from Saturday were fun, to say the least.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Trenton_Nixon</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='541913' first='Sam' last='Feeney'] - Bishop Chatard - ATH - 6'2" 205lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>Feeney remains one of the steadiest risers in the class of 2024. He's an incredibly hard worker who is always working and improving on the little things. He's a fantastic athlete and can really run, especially for a guy with his stature. On Saturday, he lit up the athletic testing and put up some pretty incredible numbers. He's got a lasered 4.51 40-yard dash, a 38.7-inch vertical, and a 3.94-second shuttle. An elite athlete, especially for his size, but he looked even better in person. For some guys, their H/W doesn't match what they look like. Feeney does, and he looks great moving around the field. He's able to rush the passer, drop back into zone and man coverage, and then can drop back and play the 3rd level of the defense. In fact, he's been asked to do just about everything in-game. He's a chess piece for their defense and helps them more than they likely even realize. He was able to bullrush a lineman as well as use his speed and agility to get around the edge. When they were doing drill work, Feeney was one of the smoothest operators for defensive guys. I feel there's even more upside for Feeney than I've discussed, but ultimately I feel like the point has been hit. He's a good player, getting better, and was great on Saturday.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@SammyFeeney10</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='703107' first='Javawn' last='Brooks'] - Brebeuf Jesuit - ATH - 6'0" 180lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>Brooks was a really steady performer on Saturday. There were moments he flashed, but honestly, he was just one of the most consistent players. He's a really good athlete and can be moved anywhere on the field. For Brebeuf Jesuit last year he carried the ball, caught passes, played defense, and really began to become an impact player in the second half of the season. First off, Brooks is just someone who can move well and change directions without much of a hiccup. He had a 4.62 40-yard dash and a 4.45-second shuttle on Saturday. He really stood out in those drills and then let it translate to the live reps. He's a guy who can cover a ton of range and really likes to look for the pick. If he's got a chance, he's going for the ball. With decent hands, he's come away with some nice turnovers including 1 on Saturday. When he's in the backend, at least on Saturday, Brooks plays with good anticipation and sees things developing, and reacts before it's too late. I'd like to think his stats from last year back that as well. 25 solo tackles, 4 interceptions, and 5 batted down passes is a pretty solid season for a DB. He was on his receiver like glue and wasn't allowing completions. He's someone who could also play Safety at the next level, depending on the scheme fit. He's versatile and can really plug any gap you may need on the backend. Brooks is a perfect example of why I love these camps.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Brooks_Javawn</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='861475' first='Jackson' last='Weingart'] - Cathedral - LB - 6'2" 215lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>Weingart was easily one of, if not the best LB on Saturday from start to finish. His athletic testing, while I don't have his numbers, they were near the top. He's not just explosive for his size, but he's twitchy and closes gaps way quicker than you'd think he'd be able to. He can move side to side really easily, and while sounding minor, being able to skip gaps without bouncing and losing momentum is a game-changer. That's also something I really felt his tape showed well. His ability to gap hop when needed, come downhill, and make the play come to an end. He's physical, seems to like the contact, and isn't a small player. He's thick and well-built so he's able to dictate and take over reps. Last year, he put up 54 total tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, an interception, and forced 2 fumbles. What I saw on Saturday wasn't just a Saturday padless performance. On Fridays, they unleash Weingart and let him eat. He's like an angry bull you have to hold back until it's time to go. I really appreciated Weingart and his performance just because he was relentless, but then wasn't worried about making sure people saw. I imagine that's how he is day to day which is why he's going to be such a great find for the right program. Weingart is the kind of guy you want to enter your program. Hungry, hardworking, and just looking to make an impact.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@JacksonW_24</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='861495' first='Gabriel' last='Jackson'] - Heritage Hills - DL - 6'1" 250lbs - 2026</h2>   <p>Jackson was one of the younger recruits there for some of the big guys up front, but he held his own. There were other guys who had great days and lit up the board, but what I appreciated about Jackson was the way he carried himself on the field. Head down, locked in, asking questions, and wanting to go on both sides of the ball. He just wanted to play football and was anxious to get out there. Honestly, I wish I could have told him to relax a little bit. He's heading into his Sophomore year, and I believe this was his first MEGA Camp so I'm sure he was anxious to make an impression. However, he didn't light up the athletic testing. Truthfully, he was right in the middle. He was right in the middle with his performance as well. However, where other guys were afraid to have coaching points sent their way. Jackson was actively seeking them out. He stayed near the guys who wanted the most reps and near some of the top talent. A young recruit who is at a big camp like that not thinking too big, trying to get the most out of it, and then having plays of brilliance is exactly what I look for. He's a 2026 recruit and already has a nice frame. He's young, but willing and actively going against top-tier talent, and can play both sides of the line. Any rep where he gets beat by a top player will teach him more than if he dominated a scrub. The best part, he was able to stand his own on Saturday in every rep. He looked good in drill work and his feet while aren't perfect, they are fairly light and agile for a younger guy. He's able to bend and can play inside or outside. Defensively, I think he's likely to stay on the inside, but either way, he'll make an impact. Jackson is the exact type of player to quietly develop over the next 3 years and be a plug and play player for whoever lands him.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Gabe_J2008</strong></p>

Yesterday we went through and hit some of the offensive recruits who really stood out from UINDY's Mega Camp. Today, we're hitting some of the defensive recruits who looked great!