On the Edge of Dominance

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new Prep Redzone subscription!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the pillars of building a dominant defense is being able to get after the QB. Being able to turn up the pressure in obvious passing situations, keeping mobile athletes in the pocket, and getting the QB on the ground. Along with that responsibility, edge defenders need to be trusted to be able to take on blocks in the run game, maintain contain to force the ball inside, and also disengage and make tackles themselves. Below we have seven athletes who are on there way towards being dominant at the position. So we are here to shine the spotlight on them. Every one of these kids should have eyes on them at summer camps because they are going to put on a show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["384586"],"_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":"One of WI's best LBs is the OLB out of Milwaukee Marquette. The 6'2u0022 220 lbs junior has developed a skill set that perfectly fits his build. While he may not possess elite length to play on the edge he has become an impact because of that adaptation. Mitchell has a strong first step off the line, forcing OTs to get into their pas set quickly. Once into his rush, Nigro has proven he can win with a variety of pass rush moves. We see the bend to dip underneath. We see the balance to be able to cut laterally and then accelerate. The junior OLB also plays with powerful hands when engaged with OTs. Added to the pass rush talents is a very high motor that is demonstrated snap after snap of him playing out in space or making a chase down play. Nigro also absolutely hammers ball carriers/QBs when he tackles. Mitchell is a stout, strong OLB prospect to know in this Class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc0fca"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16635164/655fe78b1762080938085563' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc10be"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["942597"],"_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":"Carter is building a frame for the edge position at the next level. He has solid length at 6'3u0022 and the balance he shows on tape at his size allows him to make special plays that translate to the next level. Carter does a great job of changing his pad level while rushing. When he wants to rush with speed, Carter has shown he can finish the rep with a dip underneath the OT's hands and make eye opening 90 degree turns to take the shortest path to the QB. Appl is consistent with his hands too. The length is useless if you don't play with your hands and Carter uses his to maintain separation on his path to the backfield. He also shows an effective rip and swim move. When watching Carter on tape the word disruptive always comes to mind. He finds the fastest path into the backfield and gets to the ball. He is ready to breakout on the edge this summer at camps.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc113b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16264359/655180026898e9135c5f40ce' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc1163"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["867214"],"_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":"One of the most imposing athletes in the trenches is Green Bay Notre Dame's [player_tooltip player_id='867214' first='Asa' last='Poister']. Asa is blessed with elite, rare length at 6'6u0022 and a 220 lbs build with plenty of space to continue to add bulk to. Asa demonstrates impressive body control at his size. He effectively uses that length to create separation and then he will flash lateral agility as he cuts left/right while rushing to give himself a cleaner path to the QB. Poister is also very effective against the run. He is quick to recognize his man leaving him to be kicked out and will collapse down to meet the block and stuff the running lane before it can even open. The effort is there too, highlighted by flashing the speed to chase down across the formation for tackles.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc11e2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18373941/6553abf2a6773006c8dd2317' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc1209"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1394947' first='Thomas' last='Lackey']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Racine Case","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A recent addition to my radar is the edge defender out of Racine Case. Every time I check in with this team there's another standout athlete to know about. This one is the 6'3u0022 200 lbs DE/OLB. The first takeaway is how versatile and athletic the junior is. Thomas does so many things for Case's defense. He rushes off the edge from a two or three point stance. We see him drop into coverage and look fluid while easily covering ground. The range he plays with both in coverage and when chasing down the outside rushing attack is impressive. It is clear that there is a strong blend of power and athleticism. Thomas is one of a few athletes that you can trust as a pass rusher, edge setter, and let him play out in space in zone coverage. Do not miss this kid.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc12f9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16683667/64f7cf552aa7ce09b4c430f9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc1322"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212467"],"_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":"Watching this kid grow into his frame and the DE position have been fun to watch, and we are just getting started. The 6'5u0022 215 lbs sophomore possesses a special combination of length, short area agility, and range that allow him to make all sorts of plays off the edge as an underclassman on varsity. Mason plays with an explosive first step, and uses that rare length to initiate contact, create space, and then sidestep and accelerate into the backfield. Mason has a collection of examples of his ability to win with speed off the edge. This past season he started flashing more implementation of power to his game. Mason is now able to bull rush OL, and we have seen him be able to shove the OL to the side and then get back to his speed to the QB. Black is continuing to develop and showing his high ceiling. Big summer/fall coming.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc1394"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17450781/6546e59d19b0390d942bf730' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc13b9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1136674"],"_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 new addition to the rankings during our most recent update last month was Greendale's [player_tooltip player_id='1136674' first='Deacon' last='Ward']. The sophomore brings an impressive 6'4u0022 210 lbs frame to the field. As you can suspect, the technique needs coaching and time to develop. However, the athletic tools he brings are noteworthy. Deacon has a solid get off at the snap of the ball. The range is there to cover ground in the backfield and a high motor only pushes that even more. Deacon also does a great job of using leverage to his advantage thanks to having great flexibility and mobility in his hips, ankles, and knees. That leverage plus his strength has allowed him to set a stout edge when taking on blocks. He also moves easily laterally when moving through the trash on the edge as he avoids linemen on his way to meeting the ball. Get your eyes on this kid early. A big breakout year could be loading gup.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc1429"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17929489/653bee860c53e803d486c955' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6618921bc144e"} /-->