’25 Breakout Defensive Linemen – Pt.1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This defensive line class is absolutely massive. We have dozens of D-Linemen from across Michigan set to be on the Rankings, and today I'm listing five that could be in for a major breakout season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1217527"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a191da1925"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I had a field day walking around at the MHSAA Exposure camp in Jackson (and through DMs), telling coaches about [player_tooltip player_id='1217527' first='Nathan' last='Fletcher']. Some coaches seemed interested, and a few completely brushed me off, but regardless, his play got through to a few programs that sent out offers. Offers from Wayne State, Hope, and LTU reinforce my belief that Nathan is a super high-upside prospect. <br><br>Nathan is a raw prospect. Watch his film, and you'll see that. Though, what I've seen in person and on film are potentially elite traits. Nathan fires off the ball very quickly, and sports a great bull rush (though obviously wasn't able to show it off at camps). In addition, he's displayed some bend and decent athleticism at camps. Most of all, his size is extremely impressive and enough for any D1 coach to take a look. I think Nathan is a GLIAC guy through and through, and if he can work on his weaknesses this offseason, he'll have a much-improved Senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1290623"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a191da198b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davair is another one of those high-upside but currently raw prospects. He's a tall, lengthy, and relatively slim defensive end. Where I think he can bulk up a bit more, he makes up for hit with his size and the fact that he's not entirely raw. Now, I don't think he has the skillset as a 6'2" EDGE would need to have in order to earn a GLAIC offer, but Daviar has displayed some flashes. I've seen a decent club move in person in addition to trying to bend and speed rush around a lineman. Lastly, Davair has a few good instinctual plays on film. Daviar's ceiling is honestly higher than anyone in this article, and if he can live up to his potential, Davair could be a phenomenal college football player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1282567"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a191da19d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was able to discover Kavion at the Davenport camp a few weeks ago. During the positional drills, I really liked what I saw. I thought he was the most explosive out of the group, in addition to taking coaching very well. If I'm not mistaken, I think Kavion put up good testing numbers as well. The issue was that Kavion did not perform well once the 1on1 period began. He still fired off the ball well, but didn't look experienced rushing the passer. Thankfully, learning pass rush moves and succeeding with them at the HS level is a lot easier than getting bigger and more explosive, in my opinion. With a bit of focus and work this offseason, Kavion can 100% break out into a GLIAC prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["602040"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a191da1a11"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've seen Aidan a few times, and I know he has the tools to become a good D2 prospect. Currently with a LTU offer, Aidan has shown some good stuff, but has been unable to solidify himself as a dominant starter for Dakota. He was a solid 3-tech who started 4 games for Dakota last season. If he keeps playing on the interior, I'd love to see Aidan bulk up and become a touch more physical and explosive. Regardless, he's someone I could see take a great leap next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899587"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a191da1a51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Lakes Valley Conference is one of those conferences that is largely underrecruited outside of a couple of teams. Lakeland in particular has a few prospects with zero offers that I'm high on. One of those players is Blake. Watching Blake's film, It's obvious that he's a good football player, but has some things to work on. First off, I like his initial burst and overall physicality. When he's getting blocked, Blake is able to forcefully shed the block leading to a tackle. Where I think Blake needs to improve is his overall rush skills. Both against the run and pass, Blake tends to hesitate and slow his momentum. I see this with a lot of inexperienced rushers, and it's not easy to fix, but not the worst position to be in. With improved consistency and fluidity, Blake will earn more offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->