BOOM Trench Warfare: Illinois Defensive Lineman Standouts
Prep Redzone had the opportunity to attend the BOOM Trench Warfare event in St. Louis. This event featured offensive lineman and defensive lineman from Illinois and Missouri. There were a lot of quality prospects in the house. We dive into…
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Continue ReadingPrep Redzone had the opportunity to attend the BOOM Trench Warfare event in St. Louis. This event featured offensive lineman and defensive lineman from Illinois and Missouri. There were a lot of quality prospects in the house. We dive into the event here in Boom Trench Warfare: Illinois Defensive Line Standouts!
Reginald Milligan (Plainfield East – 2025)
Milligan was one of the most dominant performers at the camp. Stands at 6’2” 220 pounds with an athletic frame. The edge rusher is so quick off the line and has great burst getting up field. Blew past tackles all day long with his speed to the outside displaying an elite first step and the ability to bend getting to the QB. Plays well with both his hand in dirt or standing up as an outside linebacker rushing. Without question should be garnering offers soon!
Aariz Taylor Aariz Taylor 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Kenwood Academy | 2025 IL (Kenwood – 2025)
Taylor stands at 6’3” 221 pounds and was one of the premier pass rushers we saw at the camp. Long and athletic frame with good strength. Explosive edge rusher that has such easy acceleration getting up field. Won off the snap over and over against tackles all day long. The explosive edge rusher also has the strength to use his bull rush as well which he showcased. Can also slide down and play some three technique when needed. Power 4 guy.
Derrick Weems (Amundsen – 2025)
This 6’3” 290 pound defensive lineman has a good frame and a thick lower half. Knows how to use his strength to his advantage as he was a bully on the bull rush up the middle and scored on several blow by moves with good quickness at his size. Burst on initial first step off the snap. Nice combination of power, quickness, and technique.
Jayceon Toney (Bolingbrook – 2025)
Toney is a defensive lineman that has a lot of juice. Great speed on the edge that had several blow bys where it looked like the tackle wasn’t even moving. Little undersized at 5’10”, but has nice strength at 230 pounds.
Peyton Williams (Bolingbrook – 2027)
Another undersized defensive lineman at only 5’9” with good strength at 230 pounds. Consistently used his quickness inside all day long. Uses his hands and initial get off to win at the line of scrimmage. Also flashed as a scrappy interior offensive lineman that used his hands well, moving laterally, and anchored at guard. Competitive kid that showed a lot of fight. A lot will depend on how much he grows.
Diontae Woods (East St. Louis – 2027)
Woods comes from the football factory that is East St. Louis. The freshman is a bit small at just 5’9”, but the 285 pound defensive lineman is so quick as a pass rusher. Good athlete that uses his hands well and had an array of pass rush moves. Gets up the field quickly and is fast off the line. Great spin move. If he can grow height wise watch out!
Kameron Rutlin (Fenwick – 2027)
Another young defensive lineman to track here. The 6’0” 245 pound defensive tackle has a nice combination of strength and quickness. Three technique that can use his first step getting up the field.
Zyair Harris (Fenwick – 2026)
Harris is a wide bodied defensive tackle that probably projects best as a nose guard at the next level. The 5’11” 320 pound lineman isn’t the most explosive rusher, but we can definitely see him as a guy that will take up multiple blockers and clog the middle of the line of scrimmage in the run game.