Scout’s Notebook – Defensive Line from PRZ Next’s New Jersey Camp

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend I was able to link up with my old colleague and friend, the one-man industry himself <a href="https://twitter.com/AlPopsFootball">Al Pops</a>. Being what I consider at least, the nation's savant of identifying middle school football talent, Pops did not disappoint. As the event went on I got a pretty good look at all position groups. Here are a few notes I took from what I saw out of the day's defensive line group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Line Notes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Line was easily the deepest position group on the defensive side of the ball. The first rep I happen to catch was that of [player_tooltip player_id='1011769' first='Jesse' last='Roth']. Hailing from down the shore, Roth is ahead of the curve in terms of understanding leverage. He routinely felt, absorbed, and countered leverage of his offensive counter part en route to winning numerous 1-on-1 matchups. On a few occasions I saw Roth also get home by beating his matchup with the arm swipe as well...... Cutting across the state on I-295 from Roth was fellow defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1036101' first='Donovan' last='Vasquez']. Playing for a Philadelphia-area youth team, Vasquez knows how to rush the passer. Vasquez was especially apt at reading an offensive lineman's pass set. With his ability to get offensive linemen moving backwards on skates, Vasquez would read an overset established by fear of his speed rush only to take an wide open, inside gap offensive linemen could not power down to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another product of the shore [player_tooltip player_id='1162938' first='Nico' last='Cangiano'] may have registered at the event as an offensive linemen, but my notes have him recorded as taking defensive line reps - and not bad at all by any means while taking them. Cangiano seems to have developed a signature move - the double-hand swipe - to neutralize his offensive matchup. He seems to oblige by the time-tested adage that "they cannot block what they cannot touch." Having this one, solid move in his repertoire bodes well, as Cangiano can now work on counters off of that move...... [player_tooltip player_id='1027707' first='Xzavier' last='Chafin'] took the trip down either I-95 or I-87 from Massachusetts to be with us last Sunday. Blessed with the requisite size (6'2" 235lbs) to play either interior or exterior line, Chafin showed a few moves that indicate he may be ready to crack the varsity lineup immediately. The first place where Chafin wins is with his plus get off. He wins from the jump from the snap and operates from there. Chafin also showed a health variety hand-fighting moves, including the long-arm and correctly reading hand sets, to standout amongst all competitors during the competition phase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Baby Huey of a man-child was 6'3" 230lb [player_tooltip player_id='1049176' first='Jackson' last='Reuter']. Reuter did a nice job of reading offensive linemen's aggression and beating them with it. If his matchup leaned to much in their stance, Reuter was immediate with the arm over. Same thing when the offensive linemen would lean into him. Feel the leverage? Swim over. I would like to see Reuter add a snatch and flip his hips when he swims. Reuter also appears to be working on a second move, a swim &amp; pin, to add to his arsenal. Although he did not get home on the re I saw him execute it, with practice that could be a great additional pass rush move for him...... [player_tooltip player_id='1140861' first='Melvin' last='Clark'] ought to be a hot prospect in the Camden-area, as the Community Charter School product has the size and ability that high schools desire in an 8th grader. Being 6'1", Clark showed that he knows that "the low man always wins." Clark made it a point of emphasis to win by playing under the hands of his offensive line matchup. This took away any and just about all power the offensive linemen had when facing Clark. From there, Clark worked into his man's chest, bench pressed to lock out, and rapidly walked his matchup into the lap of the quarterback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->