2025 Defensive Lineman Evals: South Suburbs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive lineman and edge rusher class in the state of Illinois is the strength of the 2025 class.&nbsp; We examine each area of the state breaking down some of the best prospects along the defensive line.&nbsp; Here is <strong>2025 Defensive Lineman Evals: South Suburbs</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832141' first='Caden' last='O'Rourke'] (Lincoln Way East – 6'5 215 lbs - Northwestern)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 6'5" 215 pound defensive end is a pure speed rusher that loves to get after the passer.&nbsp; Long and lean frame with very quick first step coming out of his three point stance like a sprinter with his eyes on the prize. Relentless pursuit of QB was consistently shown on the tape.&nbsp; Excellent translating speed to power. Can go inside and outside of the offensive tackle with speed rushes or bullying his way through. Feel for shedding traffic in run game to get his hands on the back. Good athlete that pursues the ball.&nbsp; Technically very sound.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='162631' first='Cameron' last='Brooks'] (Homewood Flossmoor – 6'3” 235 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At HF as a junior Brooks notched 58 tackles and 39 QB pressures.&nbsp; Brings some scheme versatility.&nbsp; Might be best as a 3-4 DE, but can also get out wide as well.&nbsp; Powerful bull rush blowing up tackles along with a nice use of his hands.&nbsp; Fights through double teams and puts pressure on the QB.&nbsp; Like what he shows against the run being physical getting off blocks and finding the ball carrier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331569' first='Tony' last='Galloway'] (Romeoville – 6'3” 250 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Galloway showed on tape to be a high level defender against the run.&nbsp; Good size and frame to continue to get stronger.&nbsp; Lines up mostly at defensive end, but we can see him sliding inside for some snaps at DT.&nbsp; Gets after it in the run game especially getting down the line of scrimmage to find the back.&nbsp; Hits with a lot of power and force.&nbsp; Solid use of his hands to get off blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832143' first='Terrell' last='Williams'] (Stagg – 6'4” 210 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is a three technique defensive tackle that is a game changer in the run game.&nbsp; He blows up plays on the regular with his quickness in short areas and ability to take on a block and get off it quickly while locating the back and getting a grasp on him.&nbsp; Flashes as a pass rusher, but is best against the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471631' first='Jalen' last='White'] (Homewood Flossmoor - 6'1” 220 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White is a strong and athletic edge rusher. He plays with relentless pursuit in both the run game and against the pass. Liked his powerful bull rush move in the pass game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joaquin Mandez (Marian Catholic – 6'3” 220 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Marian Catholic defensive end is a strong and physically built prospect.&nbsp; Uses good technique and hits with power.&nbsp; Holds up well against the run often garnering tackles for loss in the backfield.&nbsp; Also blocked a punt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='278898' first='Jordan' last='Kenerson'] (Hillcrest – 6'1” 235 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kenerson is a super athletic defensive end.&nbsp; Little undersized, but he makes up for it with his elite athleticism.&nbsp; Very good pass rusher that uses his hands great.&nbsp; Powerful with them along with controlling the lineman to get what he needs done. Pursues the ball with a great intensity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1178248' first='Johnathon' last='Collier'] (Tinley Park – 6'3” 245 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several really impressive plays on this tape.&nbsp; One he got up field disrupting the QB and then when the passer scrambled he turned around and chased him down the field.&nbsp; Another two game changing plays with when he recovered a fumble and scored TD twice. Big frame with power and strength that mostly plays at defensive end, but can also slide inside as well. Pursues the QB well, but is at his best against the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292191' first='Elijah' last='Faulkner'] (Kankakee – 6'1” 212 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Faulkner is slightly undersized and light, but he has tremendous speed to make up for it.&nbsp; Really bends the edge getting after the QB for sacks and can chase him down with his closing speed.&nbsp; One play he beat a double team of the back and tackle for a sack.&nbsp; Quickness off the ball on his first step is good and has a burst when pursuing the QB.&nbsp; Speed rusher that converts speed to power.&nbsp; Solid against the run, but is best as a pass rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292091' first='Reginald' last='Milligan'] (Plainfield East – 6'0” 210 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milligan can flat out run!&nbsp; The 6'0" 210 pound defensive end might end up being an outside linebacker at the next level with how well he runs.&nbsp; Bends the edge getting after the quarterback and makes plays both against the pass and run.&nbsp; His closing speed and ability to tackle is very impressive.&nbsp; Strong hands and uses them to shed blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1178711' first='Kevin' last='Hippner'] (Lockport – 6'5” 210 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stong tape from this 6'5" 210 defensive end.&nbsp; Technically sound player that is a good tackler.&nbsp; Sheds blocks by using his hands and is a powerful hitter.&nbsp; Gets up the field against the QB and is discipline in the run game.&nbsp; Contributes well on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292837' first='Tyler' last='Cucio'] (Providence Catholic – 6'1” 200 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good frame with long arms for this Providence defensive end.&nbsp; Solid strength and is sound vs the run.&nbsp; Gets through traffic and can really run!&nbsp; Also contributes on special teams.&nbsp; Has a knack for finding the ball when on the ground for turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->