Around the Metro: Pass Rushers Flying Under the Radar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no denying having a dominant pass rush is a luxury in today's game. The defensive line has become an intriguing position group and has generated quite the buzz in the Kansas City metro as of late. Particularly prospects coming off the edge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable edge rushers that come to mind are [player_tooltip player_id='519316' first='Jayden' last='Woods'], [player_tooltip player_id='442716' first='Charlie' last='Woleben'], and [player_tooltip player_id='570191' first='Lincoln' last='Stueve']. While those three are regarded as some of the top prospects for this position, the metro has an abundance of players that can also get after the quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this fourth installment of ‘<em>Around the Metro'</em> we preview two seniors with next-level potential, a couple of unranked juniors looking to build off a strong sophomore campaign, and one sophomore that showed promise in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class of ‘25</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1114816"],"_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-66b39e8ce6785"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Olathe East Hawks had a stifling defense in 2023. Part of the reason this unit was so successful was the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='1114816' first='Josiah' last='Young']. He debuted in our rankings last month and is likely to move up in the next update. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound edge rusher broke out in 2023 with 60 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. Young is currently on the radar of a few Division II programs, and could draw more interest with another <em>All-State</em> caliber season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["442611"],"_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-66b39e8ce67f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blue Valley could potential have the top defensive line in the state this season. Folks already know about [player_tooltip player_id='570191' first='Lincoln' last='Stueve']. But there's a new face on the Tigers' roster that people need to know about ahead of the ‘24 season. [player_tooltip player_id='442611' first='Nico' last='Cocumelli'] transfers across town after a solid junior year with Blue Valley West. During his junior year, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound defensive end racked up 33 total tackles and five sacks, earning him <em>All-League</em> honors. He and Stueve will be an exciting pass rushing duo this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class of ‘26</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1363887' first='Roch' last='Emanuel']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Piper","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b39e8ce68b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1363887' first='Roch' last='Emanuel'] is the first of two unranked Kansas City, Kansas prospects highlighted in this report. Emanuel has received quite the praise for being a massive righty on the mound with a fastball hovering around 90 mph. However, he hasn't received nearly enough recognition for being a force at defensive end. He was a breakout sophomore in 2023, piling up 60 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and five sacks. Emanuel could be a special pass rusher if he continues to develop on the gridiron.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Bre'Naj Price","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Schlagle","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b39e8ce695a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Programs from the Meadowlark Conference unfortunately don't receive the same amount of coverage that surrounding leagues in the metro do. Which leads to prospects like Bre'Naj Price flying under the radar. Price doesn't exactly fit the mold of a traditional defensive end, but there's some upside to his game. He was a <em>2nd Team All-League</em> selection in 2023 after accumulating 63 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. With another strong season, Price could earn himself a spot in our rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class of ‘27</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1277775"],"_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-66b39e8ce69ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wrapping up Part IV of <em>‘Around the Metro</em>' is [player_tooltip player_id='1277775' first='Henry' last='Houser'] of Blue Valley North. He was featured back in May as a player to watch out for this season, and we're reiterating that with kickoff now under a month away. From a physical standpoint, Houser has what it takes to be a contributor for the Mustangs at the varsity level. He's a sophomore that could compete for a starting job at defensive tackle or defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->