Dominant Defensive Performances: Week 1

Week 1 is in the books and the season is underway! Teams came out to battle in Week 1. We saw plenty of big numbers on the offensive side of the ball, but the defense was playing fast as loose across Wisconsin as well. Athletes were getting after the QB, making plays on the ball, and stuffing running lanes across the state. Several athletes put together great individual performances that led the way for their team, and that is the tape we are going to dive into today. The defenders that were flying around the field making key plays for their teams.    Stats: 5 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU   Landon had a great game on both sides of the ball in Week 1, but definitely shined most on defense. The DB showed great awareness playing zone coverage. He was able to read the QB loading up to target a receiver in front of him and jump the route perfectly for the INT. He also did a great job of switching receivers when their routes would twist. The small school senior was also a sound wrap up tackler downfield who quickly ended plays when he got his man wrapped up.      Rowan kicked off his senior season with a dominant showing at DE for a loaded Verona defense. The 6'4" 230 lbs DE is a powerful prospect who was able to hold the line of scrimmage against the run game. He took on double teams and used a powerful anchor to not get driven off the line. His high motor flashed on so many of his plays as his extra effort got him in position to make a lot of the plays that he did. The DE also showed off great awareness to disrupt a WR screen at one point of the game. The senior plays with a strong set of hands that kept him clean and disengaged from blocks very effectively. All Rowan needed was a little separation and he has the quickness to get around the OL from there. Rowan is a hidden gem that more coaches need to be aware of.      Stats: 5 Tackles, 2 PBUs   It is great to see Kyler back on the field after his injured junior season. He got things started on a positive note Friday night. The senior did a good job of keeping everything in front of him, seeing the football and attacking it. He was quick to come downhill and make tackles against the run or short passing game. In coverage there is an impressive rep in his tape where he sees the QB targeting a receiver he isn't covering, but has the range to come off his man and go break up the pass with perfectly timed hands. Keep an eye on the senior as he builds his stock with his senior DB tape.      Stats: 4 Tackles, 4 Sacks, 3 TFLs   It was a dominant Week 1 for the Wausau West DL and the tape matches the impressive stat line. Deondre showed versatility with success lining up from DE to NT against Superior. He proved that he could take on a double team and fight his way to split it and still get after the ball. Deondre also showed the quickness that impressed us at camps this summer as he beat one on one blocks Friday night with quick hands and feet. The senior also utilized leverage effectively to get into the backfield and disrupt plays over and over. Bournes finds a way to create disruption in the trenches at a high rate. Give the senior a look.      Stats: 7 Tackles, 2 TFLs   It won't be the 205 lbs senior's home at the next level, but Jake dominated at NT for Sauk Prairie in Week 1. Over and over he was able to win with his quick first step and ability to bend and dip underneath or around IOL to quickly slip through gaps. Once in the backfield the 6'4" athlete has excellent range to chase down plays. Jake was able to flash the power too. We see him bull rush a guard into the backfield, disengage and chase down the ball. Buckles' blend of quickness and power was a big problem for Baraboo because they couldn't get a man on Jake or get him moving where they wanted him. We have been hoping to see Jake take that next step and it looks like it maybe has happened this offseason. Keep an eye on the developing, long junior DL.      Stats: 5 Tackles, 1 PBU, 0 Catches Allowed   Izayah is on his way towards becoming one of the top CBs in WI. in Week 1 he faced off against a talented QB and WRs from Waterford and helped deliver a shutout performance. Izayah is quickly developing the traits needed at CB. His feet are quick and his hips allow him the ability to quickly turn and run on deep routes. His reactive athleticism to route breaks in man coverage is very quick and he has the balance to be able to quickly change direction to stay tight on his man. Angeles also uses that quickness to close on ball carriers and fly in for tackles. You have to love his no hesitation when he comes in to make tackles. The junior is working towards being a very well rounded CB. This is definitely a kid to keep an eye on this fall.      Stats: 5.5 Tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1 FR, 1 QB Pressure   The senior DE put together a great showing in Week 1 of what he could be as a DE at the next level. He has all the length needed with a strong frame that is just starting to fill out. Quinn plays with an effective, quick get off at the snap that allowed him to create consistent disruption and his quick thinking also led to him batting down the option pitch for the fumble recovery. Quinn did a great job of setting the edge Friday night also. He took on blocks without getting kicked out of position, disengaged and would make the tackle himself. The senior also possesses range to pursue out to the sideline. Check him out.      Stats: 10 Tackles, 2 TFLs   Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='227201' first='Parker' last='Schreindl'] is off to a great start in his senior campaign, and is looking like he will be on the rise this season. The senior demonstrated strong instincts that allowed him to quickly diagnose and attack the inside run game. The LB did a great job of playing downhill, and aggressive while also avoiding blocks. It was impressive to see him moving towards the ball while also making linemen miss their blocks. The senior LB also did a great job of moving with the flow of the play to maintain his gap while also attacking the line of scrimmage to meet the ball carrier. This was a great first week against a good opponent for the senior LB.      Stats: 9 Tackles, .5 Sack   The junior LB out of Mukwonago is back and better than ever. Connor is an impressive athlete for the LB position. In coverage he easily slides, drops, or attacks downhill with easy changes of direction. He can be trusted to drop into coverage. Kreger is also effective on the attack. He flies off the edge with a solid first step and he has the range and closing speed to chase down QBs. Connor is an exciting chess piece that can do a lot of things for a defensive coordinator. Check out the film and make sure you have him on your boards.

Week 1 is in the books and the season is underway! Teams came out to battle in Week 1. We saw plenty of big numbers on the offensive side of the ball, but the defense was playing fast as loose across Wisconsin as well. Athletes were getting after the QB, making plays on the ball, and stuffing running lanes across the state. Several athletes put together great individual performances that led the way for their team, and that is the tape we are going to dive into today. The defenders that were flying around the field making key plays for their teams.