Collapsing the Pocket: 2027’s Top Pass Rushers
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The last of the defenders to cover, the 2027 pass rushers were able to produce multi sack season this past fall. With a mixture of players playing up at the line, this group is diverse in their skills and how…
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Continue ReadingThe last of the defenders to cover, the 2027 pass rushers were able to produce multi sack season this past fall. With a mixture of players playing up at the line, this group is diverse in their skills and how they can rush the passer.
Gabe Palaganas Gabe Palaganas 6’1″ | 205 lbs | DL Washington Township | 2027 State NJ may be one of the best 2027 defensive linemen I’ve seen. Explosive off of the line, Gabe was able to apply ample pressure in 2023 as he racked up 5.5 sacks. Gabe’s hand skills really separate him from others at his level. He has extremely quick hands that can fight off a lineman’s reach, but also is equipped with longer arms that allows him to chase a quarterback from behind and reel them in. Capping it off with a powerful push, Gabe can bull rush the line and simply drive the blocker backwards and force him out of his way.
Highlights
Nyrell Domnie Nyrell Domnie 6'0" | 255 lbs | OL Snyder | 2027 State NJ
Nyrell Domnie Nyrell Domnie 6'0" | 255 lbs | OL Snyder | 2027 State NJ
Snyder’s Nyrell Domnie Nyrell Domnie 6’0″ | 255 lbs | OL Snyder | 2027 State NJ is a nose tackle that will gain more and more attention over these next few seasons. Nyrell is a raw strength kind of defender. Sacking the QB 4.5 times last season, he uses his strength to toss blockers to the side and bring the ball carrier to the ground. And with a powerful upper body, Nyrell is able to extend offensive linemen away from him and keep them from getting close. Teams will have a tough time running it up the middle if Nyrell is on the field.
A player with a motor that never stops, Carter Blattner Carter Blattner 6’5″ | 240 lbs | DL Highlands | 2027 State NJ has the size and dimensions to be a top pass rusher in the state. Built with strength and acceleration off of the edge, Carter is able to close in quickly on the quarterback. He really outplayed all of the freshmen he went up against in 2023. Really, it looked like Northern Highlands in general was much bigger than anyone they played. I am excited to see what Carter can do when he gets to the varsity level.
Highlights
Andrew Bowers Andrew Bowers 6’1″ | 200 lbs | DL Rahway | 2027 State NJ is an extremely quick edge rusher coming out of Rahway. With his quickness, Andrew is able to to apply pressure on the pocket very early on in the quarterback’s drop back, making it very difficult for them to have any time to make a composed throw. His speed will only make him more and more of a weapon as his high school career continues on.
Another Winslow product to highlight, Benjamin Carter Jr. Benjamin Carter Jr. 6’1″ | 190 lbs | ATH Camden Eastside Township | 2027 State NJ is going to be a dominant defender for this team in the very near future. A relentless pass rusher, Benjamin will pursue the ball carrier all the way until the whistle is blown. With a more athletic build off of the edge, Benjamin is really more like a sprinter coming out of his stance the way he pops off of the line. Finding his way to the QB 2 times in 2023, I am very excited to see what Benjamin and this team can do in 2024.