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Getting back on the film watching train after taking a few weeks to bring some different content with some player interviews, I checked out five more athletes who already have some college football interest and are sure to cause problems…
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Continue ReadingGetting back on the film watching train after taking a few weeks to bring some different content with some player interviews, I checked out five more athletes who already have some college football interest and are sure to cause problems for opponents all season this coming fall.
Spencer Ness
Spencer Ness
Ness splits time between a traditional inside linebacker and a standup defensive end. In both positions, Ness attacks the line of scrimmage. His explosiveness once he makes his read gets him past unexpecting offensive linemen and into the backfield. That explosiveness also makes him a handful for less athletic offensive tackles as his quickness of the line gives o-linemen trouble. Despite the aggressiveness at the point of attack, Ness does an outstanding job of staying in control, breaking down and not flying past the ballcarrier because he was too aggressive. He moves well laterally and although he plays better – like most players – when he has space, he uses that quickness to get off blocks and prevent blockers from squaring him up.
Logan Stedman
Logan Stedman
Stedman’s breakaway speed as a running back stands out immediately when watching the Rockets’ film. Once in the open field, not many are going to catch him and he will outrun defenders who think they have the angle on him. To go along with straight-line speed, his quick feet and vision makes him hard to handle in space. He sets up his blockers well and although he is better if he can run around a defender, he is able to lower his shoulder, bounce off tacklers and get the tough yards on the inside. Stedman can catch the ball out of the backfield and is a dangerous kick returner. Effective in space or when attacking the line of scrimmage, his quickness is his biggest asset at defensive back as well.
There is not a whole lot to dislike about Oftedahl’s film. I love the explosiveness he plays with at the point of attack. As a center, he has the low base and power in his lower body you like to be able to handle nose tackles one-on-one. That lower body power also translates into quickness of the line and allows him to have a high percentage of positive plays on reach blocks – one of the more difficult tasks for a center. Once he gets the defender squared up, the defender is going backwards and is sometimes hearing the whistle stopping play from his back. Oftedahl has solid pass blocking form and although he has an offseason to grow – already holds up with bigger interior linemen.
Lowell Grosslein
Lowell Grosslein
Grosslein doesn’t so much as block defenders, he mauls them. His upper body strength, combined with his great lower body technique, make him a sometimes dominating presence at either guard or tackle. For a big athlete, he comes off the line quickly and with a low pad level. His quickness in small spaces was best demonstrated on a play where the linebacker timed his blitz perfectly and was coming a full speed. With a split second to react, Grosslein calmly set his body and engaged the defender at the point of attack – without any time to get set. When he gets a guy squared up, his lower body prevents the defender from getting into the play and Grosslein’s upper body makes sure the defender is off balance and often on the ground.
Courtney Dickerson
Courtney Dickerson
Dickerson is exactly the kind of athlete every coach looks for to plug into the middle of their defensive line. He is tough to move off the line of scrimmage – even with a double team. His lower body power allows him to hold up at the point of attack but he is athletic enough to get an internal pass rush and get down the line of scrimmage to get involved in plays to the outside. His strength is Dickerson’s calling card, but he has good straight-line speed allowing him to make those plays outside the tackle box.