Prep Redzone NJ’s 2023 Pass Rusher of the Year Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that champions have been crowned and Prep Redzone New Jersey's Stock Up Showcase is complete, it is now time to turn our attention to individual superlatives and recognitions. With many outstanding defenders who led their teams to outstanding seasons, here are the best of the best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Agree with me? Disagree with me? Tell me why I want to hear from you. Leave a comment on my&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1738430260759208157">Twitter</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pass Rusher Play – By the Numbers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/table-import {"name":"acf/table-import","data":{"import_file":1123510,"_import_file":"field_637be8ff37223"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6585adabad207"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pass Rusher Play – Scout's Evaluation</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971265"],"_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":"We start off today's evaluation with the only junior on the list, Oakcrest's [player_tooltip player_id='971265' first='Aidan' last='Oldfield']. Despite being a junior, Oldfield led the state in sacks with 18 on the season. Oldfield has a solid get off from the snap and is quicker to accelerate upfield. Whether he is working from the interior or off the edge, he finds a way to keep working his hands to gain an advantage. In terms of stopping the run, he knows to squeeze down the line of scrimmage to chase plays down from the backside. Oldfield has the requisite strength to discard smaller, weaker opponents with ease and works a good swim move when defenders lean. It appears that Oldfield also is coached to strip the ball if he arrives to the quarterback, as we see him play the ball rather than the man at times. For Oldfield to add to his already impressive sack total he must bend the corner a bit tighter. He can do this by activating and flipping his hips with more regularity and torque.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6585adabad4c8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16212011/64f37b7bda5bbb09c8262a6b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6585adabad50a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172518"],"_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":"A recent Syracuse commit, [player_tooltip player_id='172518' first='Jahide' last='LeSaine'], had an outstanding conclusion to his career as he finished second in the state with 16 sacks. The first thing that pops about LeSaine is that he tackles with power, as he generates much leg drive. This often allows him to barrel into ball carriers as they are stopped stone cold in their tracks. Quick to get off the ball, LeSaine has demonstrated a ghost rush by getting low to bend the corner around less athletic tackles. Moreover, with that same move he, similarly, demonstrated tremendous strength as he was held and ripped through it without much resistance. A natural athlete, LeSaine's highlights showed him both making plays on kickoff and at wide receiver. This athleticism manifests in tight spaces near the line of scrimmage as he can offensive linemen's feet going in the wrong direction with an outside-in move when he slants. On the same token, he can slant and redirect if sent the wrong way. Later on, we see LeSaine go from the C gap to the opposite A gap u003cemu003eand u003c/emu003eget home to the quarterback on a line stunt. Against the run option, he effectively surfs down making him a dual-threat to effectively tackle either the keep or the give. Later on we see him box an oncoming guard, forcing the play inside to his help - which he never needed because he actually made that play. One-on-one LeSaine matches the offensive lineman's hands to lift them and take away any threat of a punch in pass rush situations. An area I could see LeSaine growing in would be for him to be more consistent in executing shoulder tackles.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb9495b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10549911/65046a8e32dcee045423f5ee' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb949bb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1122137"],"_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":"Joining [player_tooltip player_id='172518' first='Jahide' last='LeSaine'] as a Pass Rusher of the Year candidate is fellow Irvington teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1122137' first='Maraad' last='Watson']. Interestingly enough, the pair of Blue Knights will be exchanging their blues for orange, as they have both recently committed to the Syracuse Orange. Where as Lesaine played off the edge more, Watson is strictly an interior guy. He is a full force, powerful athlete who has the potential to absolutely wreck a game in the middle. Watson executes a nice swim move and then stacks behind the offensive lineman in order to chase down the line. If he is slanted the wrong way, he can u-turn and redirect nimbly and quickly. Watson is disciplined where he does not get too far in the backfield. Fundamentally sound, we see instances where Watson controls his gap, peeks into it, and then sheds appropriately in pursuit of the ball carrier. Against pin-and-pull teams he recognizes his key and when pullers go, he effectively fights across the face of the back blocker. What I might appreciate most about the big man is that he will hustle and chase sideline-to-sideline, motoring all game long. At the next level Watson will be an immediate problem as he continues to extend and create separation against run blockers. He should always remember to tackle lower, through the thigh boards, as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb94a4e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19771329/6504897aab925303fccafba7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb94a7b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["999499"],"_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='999499' first='Mike' last='Consolazio'] is one of two true, stand-up linebackers who are under consideration this year. Consolazio has outstanding close-space speed, as demonstrated by his ability to accelerate and close in on a ball carrier. He has a decent euro-step move that he has proven effective against slower lineman who do not trust their feet. Consolazio can squeeze tight down the line effectively enough to chase plays down from behind. The senior backer also has a keen sense as to when it is appropriate to attack the ball. It is Consolazio's motor that sets him apart on the field. Never watching and always in motion, sheer effort and desire allows for Consolazio to succeed. Consolazio generates too much power for backs to pick him up in pass protection. One one clip Consolazio made a great play; however, from what I can tell he took a chance and may have compromised the defense. For Consolazio's game to translate to the next level, he must incorporate hand fighting and work his hips around to bend the corner rather than round it.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb94b00"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14707887/65693025da51280dac9d105e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb94b2c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1124926"],"_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":"A player that we missed this season, [player_tooltip player_id='1124926' first='Travis' last='Trempy'] and a fine season for Brick. Trempy seems to watch film as he sets up slower offensive lineman by taking an inside move. Should offensive linemen recover, Trempy utilizes a two-handed arm swipe. If he is not coming off the edge, Trempy has shown to line head up over the center in what would technically be a 30 front, creating 5-man rush situations in hopes to screw up pass protection schemes. Trempy plays the reach well and, conversely, scrapes down the line from the backside nicely. Although for many of his sacks we see Trempy get home free, we can expect an uptick in production as he gets off the ball faster and bend the corner tighter. There were a few technical things he could stand to clean up from a run stopping perspective, but he makes up for it with being a strong form tackler.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb94baa"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/7985740/65561f4490f9bd08e0540d71' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb94bd5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402196"],"_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":"The only sophomore to make today's list [player_tooltip player_id='402196' first='Brandon' last='Simmons Jr.'], a prospect I first saw at the PSR Big Showcase, showed that his performance was no fluke. Versatility is part of Simmons' game as we see him line up anywhere from a 4i to a 0 shade. Atypical from most of the film watch Simmons seems to line up almost exclusively in a 4-point stance. Despite this, he is super quick off the ball and generates a great deal of explosion. Through the burst of speed and violence, Simmons reads and reacts to where the ball is going without issue. Simmons will use a swim move to get past defenders when they lean or their heads are down. Against reach blocks Simmons is strong enough to rip and avoid getting hooked. Rather than control his gap, Simmons actively attacks his gap. He will punch, lock out, get into his gap, and pursue the ball from there. The sign of a special talent, we seem Simmons chase pullers and meet the running back behind the line in the process. In the rare occasion that he is down blocked, we see Simmons hold the point up and fight across their face. Lastly, Simmons is a low tackler. If I am scheming against Simmons I would abide by the adage u0022if you cannot block him, read him.u0022 Again just a sophomore, Simmons would benefit from a big offseason in the weight room to add muscle to his already quick and explosive self.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb94c64"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18162361/6574f0625cb3e1173c473a4b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb94c91"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["854635"],"_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":"The final nominee of today's list is calling it a prep career as a champion. Mainland's [player_tooltip player_id='877036' first='Hunter' last='Watson'], who recently signed his letter of intent to Monmouth, was in many respects the heart and soul of his team. Immediately we see Watson's ability for his body to explode low-to-high akin to if he was working out in the Hammer Strength Jammer machine. He is super fast off the ball at times and pass rushes with a plan. An arsenal of moves at his disposal, Watson is a maestro at the spin u0026amp; pin move. He will utilize his speed rush well and has that internal landmark in his mind as to when he should trace back to when a quarterback steps up into the pocket. When dealing with offensive lineman, we see Watson often work his hands under their breast plate and fight to maintain that hand placement. Watson will try for the strip sack and create momentum changing plays for his team. Physical with oncoming blockers, Watson will also pursue the ball anywhere it winds up on the field of play. Reach plays are rendered ineffective the way he sets the edge. For Watson to be a two-phase game wrecker at the next level, I want to see him continue to stay square to the line of scrimmage when playing the run and work on flipping his hips more when rushing the passer. Generally he could stand to play a tad bit lower, and this will come as enters college; however, he is 6'5u0022.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb94d1c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15157514/6567f1d915ffd904c82e61b3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65866ceb94d45"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scout's Pick</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After considering statistics and watching film, my vote for the 2023 Pass Rusher of the Year goes to [player_tooltip player_id='1122137' first='Maraad' last='Watson']. How do our followers and fans feel? Do you agree? Let your voice be heard by commenting on my <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1738430260759208157">Twitter</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->