5 Of The Top Defensive Performances In Indiana From Week 1

<p>On Friday, these 5 players had a big week to start their year on the defensive side of the ball. A ton of talent and production in this piece today!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='961406' first='Cameron' last='Pingleton'] - Greencastle - DE/LB - 6'2" 200lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Pingleton had a week so good that it's typically considered a great game if you get half of what Pingleton did on Friday. That's correct, Pingleton went straight Madden to start the year. It seemed like every down it was Pingleton getting the tackle. It was Pingleton getting pressure. Or, it was Pingleton chasing a ball carrier East/West to make the tackle. As lengthy as he is, he's just as good of an athlete. He's able to do quite a bit for any defense and give them some versatility. He proved his worth on Friday putting up 21 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 2 hurries. An overall incredible opening week for a player to burst onto the scene like that. Last season all together he only had 38 tackles. If this is Pingleton's breaking out party, enjoy the show because it should be a fun one.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Camping1313</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='553014' first='Mason' last='Alexander'] - Hamilton Southeastern - DB - 5'11" 170lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Alexander is coming from one of the most impressive statement games in recent memory. He's a DB with unlimited range and great anticipation with the ability to house a pick. He showed that not once, but twice on Friday. His first interception of the night was textbook. He trailed his receiver, watched the QBs eyes, and broke when he put his foot in the ground. He read the play like a book and was off to the races for 6. For his second pick 6 of the night, he was in the right place at the right time. He returned the ball over 60 yards for the score including making a man miss near the red zone. He then added 7 tackles and 3 PBUs to round out his night. To pick off and return 2 interceptions in one night, you have to be dialed in and that's what Alexander was on Friday. He's one of the fastest-rising DB recruits in the country for a reason.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@MAlexander_15</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='553142' first='Alex' last='Broshears'] - Reitz Memorial - LB - 5'10" 190lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Broshears had one of the most prolific seasons last year out of anyone in the state in the '25 class and came out week 1 swinging. He does a fantastic job jumping from gap to gap to stop the run. He's incredibly decisive and comes downhill with the proper pad level and pursuit angle every time. You can count on him to wrap up in open space and secure the solo tackle. He secured 12 of those on Friday night, but it was the way he was playing. Creating pressure, getting on the offense's nerves, and making negative plays a reality for said offense. Last season, he only had 6 TFLs and on Friday, he secured 2 already. He seems faster, stronger, and much more confident in what he's diagnosing. His full stat line for Friday was 16 tackles, 12 solos, and those 2 TFLs. Broshears is a big producer for Reitz Memorial and a steady sign of security every Friday.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Alex_Broshears</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='189085' first='Landon' last='Drennan'] - Plainfield - LB - 6'3" 217lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>Drennan is a ton of fun to watch and gets more exciting each time he steps on the field. Quite often, he's the best athlete on the field. When you stand at 6'3" and can move like he can, you're pretty rare. When you're 6'3", can move like he can, and light up the defensive side of the ball, you're even more rare. The way Drennan is able to use his body to his advantage down after down is impressive. He's flexible and does a great job getting through or around a blocker. He's fast enough off the line he can beat them with straight speed. He's then able to drop back into coverage and be a hybrid piece to a defense. He's committed to Air Force, but if he continues to play like he did Friday, bigger schools may come knocking. When you put up 13 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble in Week 1, you're making a statement that you belong near the top.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@DrennanLandon</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='425407' first='Collin' last='Jones'] - Heritage Christian - LB - 5'10" 200lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>Jones is the kind of player every team needs. The blue-collar, hard nose, grind-it-out, and tough-as-nails football player that makes the world go round. On Friday, he did a phenomenal job dissecting what was in front of him and coming up to make the tackle. He created a ton of stress on the line and got through more than they'd like to admit. With 5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, 2 being sacks, he was able to put the offense behind the sticks. Putting that level of impact on an offense is big, and it wasn't just at the LOS where Jones made his mark. He had a few open-field tackles and forced ball carriers back inside more than once to prevent a big play. A sound performance of 10 tackles, those 3 TFLs, and 2 sacks have Jones right where he needs to be heading into Week 2 of his Senior year.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@CollinJones2024</strong></p>

On Friday, these 5 players had a big week to start their year on the defensive side of the ball. A ton of talent and production in this piece today!