Allen Eagles Team Preview: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're back analyzing Allen's top prospects and today we're focusing on the defensive side of the football. As I explained yesterday, this is a talented 2024 roster, one that will most certainly be in contention for the state championship in 6A. The Eagles have an abundance of college-level talent ready to show what they got in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>LB: Mitchell Neu, 5'11" 185, Senior</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neu had great production in 2023, accounting for 104 total tackles and 11 tackles for loss. He's disruptive, has exceptional burst after reading run, he's got the slip to avoid second-level blocks and takes great angles to the tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>DB: Cam Clark, 5'10" 170, Senior</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile defensive back who can play both corner and safety, he's got a quick trigger when reading run &amp; looks to get downhill and deliver the boom as a secondary support player. I love his toughness and how well he reads the quarterback's intentions as a third-level center fielder. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>NICKEL: Don Quist, 6'3" 190, Senior</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quist is a destructive block shedder out on the perimeter, he's got terrific lateral quickness that he uses to retrace into tackle lanes and is sporty enough to kick up and play at the third level as a safety. He could project as either a nickel or strong safety at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='977529' first='Lebron' last='Bauer'] 5'11" 170, Junior</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough cornerback prospect who's comfortable working out of a pedal and will eat up short-intermediate routes. He's got great closing burst, can provide reliable run support as a cut corner on the edge, and plays with supreme confidence if left on an island on his own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>EDGE: [player_tooltip player_id='1479528' first='Jace' last='Johnson'], 6'3" 215, Junior</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's not much tape on Jace, but in what I was able to dig up, you see a guy with a great first step, a quality motor, and the ability to run the hoop off the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>EDGE: Josh Shaw, 6'3" 210, Junior</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shaw's effort is off the charts, this young man plays like a banshee through the echo of the whistle. He chases the football on run away, he's got the upper-body strength to get physical against opposing pass protectors, and has the slip to detach and cause havoc as a pass rusher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>LB: Ja'Prei Wafer, 5'11" 210, Junior</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A thumper that loves contact and will step up between the tackles &amp; stun a back in his tracks. He's got quality playmaking ability, shows enough wiggle to evade second-level blockers, and does a good job of staying on a ball carrier's back hip &amp; not overpursuing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='1517021' first='Kai' last='Wheaton'], 6" 160, Junior</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kai can go up, climb the ladder, and go get the football at its highest point. He plays a patient/calculated brand of football at his cornerback position, he isn't easily fooled and does a good job of staying over the top of receivers and breaking upwards on the football in zone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>DT: Devin Palmer, 6'2" 270, Junior</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Devin has a sturdy anchor that allows him to sit back and eat up opposing double teams, he's got the natural upper-body strength to push-pull overly aggressive blockers, he can unlock his hips, punch on a rise, and generate serious jolt out of his stance. This kid is a nightmare to block 1 on 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>DE: Okenna Ozumba, 6'4" 210, Sophomore </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This young man was a highly productive pass rusher at the lower levels, equipped with excellent speed, violent finishing ability, and a relentless playing style tracking down quarterbacks behind the line. I like how he gets his hands up if he can't get to the quarterback and will swat the football away. He's got to add some weight to be effective against the run, but I love the upside of this kid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->