AVC Football Camp: Defensive Linemen, Vol. I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, June 2, 2024 I had the privilege to cover Fairleigh Dickinson University Head Football Coach <a href="https://x.com/CoachAVC_FDU">Anthony Van Curen</a>'s Football Camp, hosted on the beautiful campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University at Madison. Simply put, this event was a absolutely awesome. In the midst of a very popular camp weekend where locally both Rutgers and Marist hosted competing camps, Van Curen managed to host over 500 prospects, roughly 65 colleges, well over 150 college coaches, and just one member of the media – me – who will be bringing you the exclusive media coverage of the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My exclusive coverage of the event continues with this piece on positional analysis of the group mentioned in the article's title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Positional Breakdown: Defensive Ends</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting with two rising freshman, [player_tooltip player_id='910041' first='Sadiq' last='Dues'] (East Orange) and [player_tooltip player_id='1301807' first='Jaylen' last='Eastman'] (Rahway) are both promising prospects from the class of 2027. Starting with Dues, [player_tooltip player_id='910041' first='Sadiq' last='Dues'] already has the right idea on how to pass rush. One of the foundational pieces for an edge rusher, where Dues figures himself to play, is the ability to turn speed-into-power. Having paid his dues early on in his football career, Dues appears to have mastered this skill early on and can now build pass rush moves off of it..... [player_tooltip player_id='1301807' first='Jaylen' last='Eastman'] might have the size/speed combination to play either along the edge or within the interior depending on how his 6'1" frame builds out. In terms of skills, Eastman hit an excellent stutter step that rendered his matchup flatfooted. Once he picked his gap to attack, Eastman neutralized his opponents hands with a swat and, for good measure, hit a swim move to ensure he won the rep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After not getting an opportunity to get my eyes on him at the PSR Big Camp Series where he suited up as a tight end, I finally got to see Piscataway's [player_tooltip player_id='1212502' first='Riley' last='Wingate'] live in-person, albeit at defensive end. Wingate easily made one of the best reads of the afternoon. Reading a low hat, Wingate immediately swam the leaning offensive lineman to get through untouched into the backfield and close out for an easy sack..... Another 2025 graduate, Elizabeth's [player_tooltip player_id='1258507' first='Elian' last='Salazar'] blazed the second-best forty time amongst defensive lineman at 4.70. The 6'3" road runner also showcased some skills to go along with his speed. Salazar, who already won the Iron Peak Combine's positional MVP award back in April, did a nice job of getting his hands on his matchup each time out. As he grabbed cloth, he aggressively threatened the outside shoulder of his matchup with speed, only to shed and take the inside lane as it opened. Although he got home on this particular rep, my only want for Salazar is to take that inside rush lane with a strong, aggressive rip to ensure he does not get tangled up when doing so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Positional Breakdown: Defensive Tackles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ascending from the valley, specifically Wayne Valley, was the Indian's [player_tooltip player_id='1301810' first='Diego' last='Cruz']. Cruz showed flashes of outstanding pass rushing ability, particularly from the defensive tackle position. Something Cruz did that got me particularly excited was how he managed to stack pass rush moves after his first attempt was stifled. Cruz loaded up with a powerful rip that got caught. Instinctively, Cruz countered to a spin and pin. As Cruz keeps working to turn the corner and run the hoop, he will eventually get home on this move..... From North Hunterdon came [player_tooltip player_id='1301811' first='Luke' last='Testa']. The big 6'3" prospect showed that he can change direction and accelerate well, as evidenced by his 4.53 pro agility - ranking him within the 92nd percentile amongst his peers who were in attendance. With as much size, power, and explosion he is capable of achieving, Testa did an awesome job of hitting rip moves, both left and right, to win his matchup. He also showed moments where he was able to work his hips and get them around quickly along the offender's edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Anthony Van Curen Football Camp Coverage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/instant-reaction-[player_tooltip player_id='1203247' first='Anthony' last='']-van-curen-football-camp/">Instant Reaction</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-quarterbacks/">Top Combine Performances, Quarterbacks</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-wide-receivers/">Top Combine Performances, Wide Receivers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-running-backs/">Top Combine Performances, Running Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-tight-ends-amp-fullbacks/">Top Combine Performances, Tight Ends and Fullbacks</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-offensive-linemen/">Top Combine Performances, Offensive Linemen</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-defensive-linemen/">Top Combine Performances, Defensive Linemen</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-linebackers/">Top Combine Performances, Linebackers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-defensive-secondary/">Top Combine Performances, Defensive Secondary</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-middle-schoolers/">Top Combine Performances, Middle School Athletes</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-the-offensive-eye-test/">College-Ready Bodies, Offense</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-the-defensive-eye-test/">College-Ready Bodies, Defense</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-running-backs-vol-i/">Positional Breakdown: Running backs, Volume I</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-cornerbacks/">Positional Breakdown: Cornerbacks</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-centers-and-offensive-tackles/">Positional Breakdown: Centers &amp; Offensive Tackles</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-quarterbacks-vol-i/">Positional Breakdown: Quarterbacks, Volume I</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-wide-receivers-vol-i/">Positional Breakdown: Wide Receivers, Volume I</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->