My Top 5 DL Performers Of 2023
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In this series I’m going to highlight 5 players at each position I got to see this season. This one will chat about the big dogs up front along the defensive line. There were a good number of guys in the…
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Continue ReadingIn this series I’m going to highlight 5 players at each position I got to see this season. This one will chat about the big dogs up front along the defensive line. There were a good number of guys in the running to make this list, so it was tough to get it down to just these guys! Let’s get into it.
Camren was about as physically dominant of a defensive lineman as I saw all year long. He was a 1 on 1 nightmare as he just won rep after rep and lived in backfields all season long. When I saw him play, he displayed a lot of mobility, a plethora of moves, and an incredibly quick first step. He is a really sure tackler who tends to knock the ball carrier back and doesn’t allow them to fall for extra yardage. I think he shines more in the run game, but I think he can be a solid pass rusher as well.
When I got to see Graham play, I was so impressed with his motor first and foremost. Every play he was giving 100% effort, and never quit for a single play. Graham is a 2 way player for Northville, but really shines defensively making stops in the gaps and rushing the passer. Coaches ran and rave about his leadership and I got to experience it first hand when I saw them play in week 1. I know multiple colleges think very highly of Gilmartin, and I think there should be even more that need to get into the running!
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For all of the great things you can say about Jaxson as a player, most of all he’s a big effort guy. He’s really never out of the play, and his motor can go for days. He does a fantastic job of shaking blockers rather than just trying to blow through them. He has a great get off on his first step, he keeps his eye on his gap only, and can straight up ruin offensive. He’s disruptive, he’s a leader and is someone that colleges are really starting to take note of! Someone is going to get a good one.
Highlights
I absolutely love the versatility I see out of Zane. He can line up inside head up on the guards and stuff the run, or extend out from a 2 point and rush the passer. He has a violent first step with a hard punch and great moves. When I saw him play this year, I saw a lot of things that I had hoped he would work on look so much better, showing that he clearly puts in the work. He displays good football IQ time and time again, and with his size and knowledge of the game, he shines as an extremely promising prospect.
Highlights
Tyler is more of a LB/DE hybrid, but I think that is what makes him special. He is so much quicker than the tackles, or even a lot of tight ends that try to get a hand on him that he can get into the backfield on any play. He does a great job of fighting against the grain, turning outside runs inside and letting the linebackers come and clean up. His film shows a lot of rushed passes resulting in bad throws, a lot of forced fumbles, and TFLs. He is a guy you could really make a bit of a rover and play him anywhere you need. Tyler feels like a plug and play guy that just needs a chance.