Showcase combine standouts – defensive line
In this article:
During Saturday’s Prepredzone Minnesota Spring Showcase, I focused on the line of scrimmage, checking out the talent on the defensive and offensive lines. I will go over the offensive linemen who stood out to me later this week, but to…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingDuring Saturday’s Prepredzone Minnesota Spring Showcase, I focused on the line of scrimmage, checking out the talent on the defensive and offensive lines. I will go over the offensive linemen who stood out to me later this week, but to start out, here are the defensive linemen who really impressed me during the one-on-one portion of the afternoon.
Johnson was the coaches’ pick for top defensive lineman on the day. Early in the one-on-one, Johnson used good speed around the corner. He used his quickness off the line again when he started outside and cut back inside to beat his man. He then combined good quickness and quick hands on two straight outside rushes. He also showed he could go inside with two inside moves that got home twice. Late in the drill, he started outside and used a spin move to the inside to beat his blocker.
Highlights
Wyatt Konkler
Wyatt Konkler
Konkler first showed quickness off the line and beat his man with a speed rush. Later in the drill, quickness and a spin move beat his man. He then showed good power on an inside rush. He used power one more time to get home on a pass rush.
Nordlund showed solid inside pass-rush moves. He started with a good swim move. Then, he used good power and a rip move on an inside rush. Finally, he used good old-fashioned quickness and power on a final inside rush.
Highlights
Brakke’s spin move and quick feet were impressive for a big guy. Those traits got him into the backfield early. Then, he used his combination of power and footwork to beat two blockers to the inside.
Highlights
Rajon Gamble
Rajon Gamble
Early, Gamble showed good punch off the line of scrimmage. Then, quickness off the line beat his man. Later, he used a good first step off the line, followed by a rip move to get into the backfield.
Dorvil first flashed with a good bull rush. Then, he used his quickness to start outside and cut to the inside to get by the blocker. Finally, he used a swim move to beat a blocker clean.
Pederson showed a variety of inside pass-rush moves. He used good quickness on an early inside move. Later, he used a rip move to beat his man again to the inside.
Highlights
Olson showed good variety in his pass-rush repertoire. First, he used a good swim move to get into the backfield, and later, he used a good rip move.
Highlights
Others who flashed . . .
Sonte Lajeunesse Kennedy – quick off the edge
Ernest Watkins Ernest Watkins 6'4" | 400 lbs | DL Chaska | 2025 MN Chaska – solid power rush
Caleb Kurtti Goodhue – spin move got him into the backfield
Fletcher Olness Fletcher Olness 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Minnetonka | 2025 State MN Minnetonka – speed around the corner
Skyler Werner Skyler Werner 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL Prior Lake | 2026 State MN Prior Lake – good bull rush Dominik Burkhard Byron 2025 – athletic of the line of scrimmage blew by the blocker on an outside rush