2025 Rankings Update: Showcasing an Elite DL Class 22-28

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["919522"],"_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":"New addition to the rankings, a kid whose name fell in my lap late last night as I dug for last-second additions. Catasauqua's [player_tooltip player_id='919522' first='Matthew' last='Fotta'], standing at 6'4, 240 pounds, starts off his tape with some bulldozing reps at left tackle. As you progress throughout the tape, you'll see why we like him as a top 30 EDGE/DL prospect in his class. The most powerful defender around the edge we've covered thus far, Fotta's two-arm explosion and extension gets kids off his chest, making shedding a piece of cake. Fotta is the type of prospect to wear tackles down early, then win with counters and speed later in the game. I love Fotta's upper body strength, yet the kid can get skinny if he has to. An athlete. Seeing Fotta pass-protect at tackle has me leaning to the offensive side of the football in terms of a future projection, yet Catasauqua can't go wrong either way.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64beb59f14566"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["599561"],"_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":"Another great prospect out of State College. 6'1, 260, with a self-reported sub-5-second 40. That's the kind of IDL prospect we are dealing with here. 35DL received a Division 1 grade out of me, with [player_tooltip player_id='599561' first='Sam' last='Mayer'] having a higher ceiling than anyone ranked 35-24. Some of the finest hand usage seen thus far, wins off the snap because of the attention to detail he gives in terms of where he strikes. Whoever is coaching the kid up clearly emphasizes initial hand strikes. Mayer has the overall strength to overpower guards after making them unbalanced initially. Nine sacks to his name, an impressive number for an interior sophomore defender. High energy player, one who brings an edge and attitude to the trenches, at least from what I can tell on tape. Place this kid anywhere between the C gaps and he'll produce.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64beb59f145cb"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Mayer50_/status/1601568570428870656?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Mayer50_/status/1601568570428870656?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["255090"],"_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":"Bishop Canevin is going to be able to station [player_tooltip player_id='255090' first='Braiden' last='Sudor'] practically everywhere in the trenches. Center and IDL capable. Can serve as a three-tech if need be. Team Captain according to his Hudl, standout wrestler too. [player_tooltip player_id='255090' first='Braiden' last='Sudor'] won't impress with his build, he might not even impress in a camp setting in shorts and a t-shirt, yet the kid consistently gets in the backfield and disrupts sets time and time again. There isn't much flash under Sudor's belt believe it or not. This kid wins with a stout combination of leverage use and lower body strength. He'll squeeze gaps and keep the pressure through the whistle. To play this many positions along both trenches, you have to exhibit phenomenal football IQ. Fun tape to watch.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64beb59f14612"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["263031"],"_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":"Two-way lineman that might actually surprise tackles off the edge in terms of athleticism. A behemoth that Manheim Township prefers to station at DE despite his overt frame. 6'2, 280, [player_tooltip player_id='263031' first='Julian' last='Larue'] primarily serves as the MT left tackle, one who excels in run-blocking sets. Larue is an intriguing prospect, mainly because it's a bit tough to place him at the next level. He's stronger and more massive than the majority of kids suiting up opposite of him. He doesn't have the bend/build to rush the passer at the next level, yet he might be a bit too big to place inside too. A future at OL is likely. For Manheim Township, they'd take all that they can get out of the junior this Fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64beb59f1465d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["598751"],"_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":"From Slaughter out, we get into the sure-fire Division 1 defensive lineman. Phenomenal build, the type of frame coaches drool over. 6'3 and some change, a chiseled 220 pounds, Plum's [player_tooltip player_id='598751' first='Darian' last='Slaughter'] exudes potential. Said potential is realized on tape, as not many sophomores in the state can say they produced at this many different positions at a high level. Tight-End, right tackle, EDGE, IDL, you plug this kid anywhere and you're going to get quality production. Love his discipline when left unblocked, love his pass-rush plan and set-up post-snap. An absolute presence on the field that has to be accounted for whether you're attempting to keep your quarterback upright or not. This is a kid whose name I'll be sending out to college coaches recruiting Plum and surrounding areas.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64beb59f146c6"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/darianslaughter/status/1590527266723090432?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/darianslaughter/status/1590527266723090432?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["598732"],"_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":"Your prototypical pass-rusher off the edge, a kid who exemplifies speed and athleticism off the snap. That being said, the majority of his wins are actually against the run, at least early in his tape. Linebacker capable, DE/EDGE hand in the dirt capable. Ankle bend and balance stand out. Burst off the snap stands out. The way his body develops moving forward will inevitably decide his future production at Union, as well as his future projection to the next level. If he puts on the right pounds, he stays at 210, a move to OLB would probably be in his future. If he puts on the right weight, he could utilize his skill set and turn into a real pass-rusher who won't be thwarted by collegiate-level tackles. A [player_tooltip player_id='598732' first='Jamel' last='Mitchell'] weighing 225 is a frightening thought.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64beb59f14707"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["919529"],"_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='919529' first='Tanner' last='Wheeler'] rounds out the second article showcasing one of the best defensive lineman classes I've covered during my time at Prep Redzone. Much like the aforementioned [player_tooltip player_id='919522' first='Matthew' last='Fotta'], Freedom's [player_tooltip player_id='919529' first='Tanner' last='Wheeler'] was a very late addition to the rankings, one whose tape I couldn't deny. I plugged in some Wheeler tape late last night, I was enamored with the tackle-like strength he brings to the DE position. Can shade either side of tackles, can align strong or weak-side. Wheeler brings with him a 6'4, 250-pound frame that is practically immovable. You can count on Wheeler to hold his gap at the very least, reps where Wheeler is being displaced off the ball are hard to come by. Icing on the cake, Wheeler can also double at tackle for Freedom if need be.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64beb59f14745"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TannerWheeler24/status/1672717119669125121?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TannerWheeler24/status/1672717119669125121?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64beb59f14782"} /-->