Prep Redzone WI Combine: Best of the Defensive Linemen
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The trenches were loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. That led to exciting battles in 1 on 1s, not to mention the athletes that we got to see shine in the combine and show off their technique,…
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Continue ReadingThe trenches were loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. That led to exciting battles in 1 on 1s, not to mention the athletes that we got to see shine in the combine and show off their technique, flexibility, and body control through the drills. The defensive line was represented by athletes who will be playing at almost every level of college football when all is said and done. Leading the way was MVP Kevin Wojciechowski Kevin Wojciechowski 6'5" | 280 lbs | DL Oak Creek | 2025 State WI from Oak Creek. The current DL2 lived up to the hype. You can read more about his day in the MVP article. Along with him were several other special prospects. That is where we turn our focus today.
The sophomore out of Boyceville stood out from the crowd as soon as he took the field. The nearly 6’3″ 227 lbs DL has that big, muscular frame that has so much potential to add even more size over the years. Even better than looking the part of a high level recruit is playing like one. That is what Zach did.
Zach has an exciting blend of power, quickness, and technique that is going to have college coaches very intrigued. The first step explosion he displayed was an unfair mismatch for the OL. His long stride ate up the cushion and then flashed the quick and powerful hands to swipe away the hands of the OL. Zach is also blessed with body control and agility. He could change pad level, move laterally while on in his rush, or redirect and make a counter move off his initial rush. The sophomore did a great job using his hands and length to create separation and once there was any space he would capitalize on it. The 2026 is an athlete that college coaches need to have on their radars now. Big things are ahead of the Boyceville standout.
Highlights
One of the best 2025s in attendance was Racine Case DL Terrell McRae. Terrell has a great frame to continue to build on. He checked in at 6’3″ 287 lbs and he carries it on an athletic frame. A frame that has the size and power up top, and athletic below the waist. I spent a lot of time with the trench guys during 1 on 1s and that is where Terrell made his presence felt. It is also what earned him a spot in the best vs best reps to end the session.
Against the OL, Terrell dominated with his playing strength and stoutness. He quickly overpowered the IOL by getting his hands inside, getting leverage, and driving them into the backfield. What we saw live matches the tape that shows him ability to control the line of scrimmage or get penetration with strength. The junior flashed some rip moves too and agility to get around the OL off those moves. McRae is definitely a DL to know in the Class of 2025.
Highlights
Hunter came out to the combine and put together a strong showing. He measured in at 6′ 202 lbs, ran 4.91 in the 40, 4.75 in the shuttle, jumped 9’2″, and had a 7.8 L Drill. That is a solid base of athleticism to rely on while he continues to grow and add muscle to his frame.
That athleticism is what got him some wins vs the bigger OTs in 1 on 1s also. He would get a solid get off, force the OT to commit to getting depth and would then be able to counter off that by cutting back inside with his balance and agility or use his speed to continue to run the loop and knock hands down. Hunter is an athlete I will be watching close. Hartford is and has developed several OL and DL prospects, so I’m excited to see what is to come from him.
A recruit who has intrigued me since the fall season is sophomore Adam Anderson Adam Anderson 6’4″ | 200 lbs | DL Lake Country Lutheran | 2026 State WI . It was clear that he has been putting in the work this offseason, so I was looking forward to how he would perform in the combine and 1 on 1s. Adam came in just under 6’4″ and 195 lbs. He ran 5.06, broad jumped 8’9″ and 8’10”, and he had the 2nd fastest shuttle time among the DL with a 4.66.
Along with the numbers, just watching Adam move you could see that he is starting to mold the traits needed for the next level. He has the body control to play low so he can get leverage and change direction easily. He can fire out of his stance low and not have to pop up to gather himself. Anderson used his length naturally too. He got his hands inside and was able to force separation and keep it while working against OTs. The sophomore is putting in the work on his tools.
Highlights
Another interior defensive lineman who caught my eyes was sophomore Vadim Misiura Vadim Misiura 6’1″ | 290 lbs | DL Cedar Grove- Belgium | 2026 State WI . The ’26 is a big presence at 6’1″ 281 lbs. Don’t let the size fool you into thinking he is just a space eater, though. Vadim caught my eyes multiple times while facing off with the OL. He could get out of his stance quickly, got his hands involved early, and demonstrated that he could get hands down and win with a solid rip move. Vadim also showed that he was able to twist and get skinny through the gap. He had the body control to be able to put himself at angles to get past blocks or get leverage and then recover to a position of power. Vadim put himself on our radars with his day.
Highlights
Jackson was one of the athletes coming into the day that I could see playing on either side of the ball. We got to see him on the defensive side and he put together a good day. He measured in at 6’1″ 255 lbs. The IDL caught my eye on multiple reps with his short area quickness. Jackson was able to get out of his stance quickly and also shift laterally to give him better leverage on his man. Lindell also did a good job with hand use, landing them inside and keeping them active. He is a northern WI prospect with talent and versatility.
Highlights
Junior DT Cooper Rolsma Cooper Rolsma 5’11” | 245 lbs | OL Hartford Union | 2025 State WI impressed me Sunday. He measured in just under 5’11” 260 lbs that frame came into the combine ready to show off the quickness it has along with the pass rush technique. Cooper was piling up wins along the interior. His combination of lateral movement and quick hands got him to the heels of his opponent quickly and consistently. Rolsma was quick to close the cushion and then could hit a quick swim move that won over and over. Below are a couple clips of that swim move winning both directions. Check him out.
The freshman DL out of Oak Creek put together a great day that started with one of the best overall combines of the 130 attendees when you break it down by position. He led the position in the L Drill and the shuttle, highlighting his balance, change of direction, and acceleration. He was second in the broad jump with a jump of 9′. Plus his 5.15 40 was 6th among the DL.The nearly 6’1″ 195 lbs freshman has a great base of athleticism to build his game around.
While facing off against the OTs, Lincoln was able to find some success using that burst and speed. I was able to watch him bend and dip underneath while running the loop to the QB. It was great to see him change pad level, fight off the hands of the OT, and finish to the QB for the win. I’m excited to watch the freshman improve and grow from here.
Highlights
Cooper came into the combine at 6′ 235 lbs and showcased an impressive array of athletic tools. He ran a 4.85 40 yard dash, 4.72 shuttle, broad jumped 9′, and had a 7.56 L Drill. All very solid numbers for his position.
That athleticism was the route to his wins in 1 on 1 battles too. He won with first step quickness. We saw him be able to counter off his initial attack and slide or change his path of attack relatively easily so he could get angles against his opponent that they couldn’t recover from. The junior had a solid showing all around.
Highlights
Anthony caught my eyes over and over on Sunday. The sophomore measured in at 6’2″ 226 lbs, and the young athlete carried it well. It was Anthony’s quick twitch, explosive burst, and hands that grabbed my attention. They made him one of the more difficult DL to block in 1 on 1s. He could get out of his stance quickly, was a risk to win with speed, showed he could counter inside off that outside speed, and showed off the agility to be able to make the subtle shifts mid rush to give him the angle or leverage on his opponent. Anthony also did well to make sure he used his hands so he could keep separation needed to make him moves. Russell put himself on our radar with his performance.