Defensive Standouts Across WI: Week 2

Week 2 brought out some dominant defensive efforts. We saw LBs and DLs living in the backfield as they disrupted plays and made sacks or TFLs. We saw DBs that were unbelievable ballhawks including one that grabbed 3 INTs in a weather-shortened game. We also have a strong collection of uncommitted and under the radar senior talent that college recruiters and coaches are going to want to make sure they know about. Let's dive into this loaded group!    Stats: 12 Tackles, 2 TFLs   Thomas is an under the radar talent who is putting together another dominant season at DE/OLB. The senior made plays as a stand up LB and as a DE with his hand in the dirt. Thomas is a great fit on the edge. He has the athleticism to pursue out to the sideline without letting ball carriers get outside his containment. His first step quickness gave him the ability to shoot gaps and cross the face of the OL before they could get leverage to cut him off. Lackey also possesses the strength to set the edge when offenses try to kick him out. Thomas is a unique talent on the edge. You can trust him to set the edge and make plays against the run, rush the passer, or drop into a zone and easily slide laterally and change direction. I highly recommend giving the talented defender a look.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ThomasL84303153/status/1829923175255228854 </div></figure>     Stats: 5 Tackles   Quone is a monster holding down the middle of the Middleton defense. He now weighs in well over the 300 lbs mark, yet the senior NT is pretty light on his feet as he uses lateral quickness to position himself in ways to win battles with leverage. The senior DT also has the hands of a heavyweight boxer. Hands that have an impressive initial punch. They also allow him to easily control and shed OL. Quone also has sufficient mobility to corral QBs/RBs within the tackle box. Keep an eye on the force in the middle of the Middleton defense.      Stats: 15 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 PBUs, 4 QB Hurries   What a performance from the sophomore ILB. Cayden demonstrated excellent instincts throughout his entire highlights. He was quick to find the ball and read the flow of the OL and then move with that flow to maintain his gap. Cayden also did a great job of playing downhill while flowing so he could meet the ball near or at the line of scrimmage. The sophomore was a sound tackler that ended forward progression when he made contact. In space, Cayden demonstrated excellent lateral movement and change of direction. His range is a great fit for the LB position, easily pursuing sideline to sideline. Cayden is looking the part as a sophomore on varsity. Check out the tape!      Stats: 3 INTs, 1 Tackle   I believe the Menomonie vs Marshfield game was called early due to weather, but that didn't stop junior CB [player_tooltip player_id='1570950' first='Renner' last='Stoll'] from putting together a career day in Week 2. The CB was an impressive ball hawk throughout the game. He flashed impressive closing speed to jump routes. The ball skills looked natural as he plucked the ball out of the air. Renner did a good job of becoming the WR while the ball was in the air. On a couple of the INTs he basically became the receiver, finishing the route with the positioning to be able to go up and get it easily. Great day from the junior CB! Check it out!      Stats: 11 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Pick Six   Taylor looked like an intriguing LB/Nickel prospect in his Week 2 highlights. Isaiah is at his best playing in space off the edge. Out there he can flash the easy range, lateral agility, and change of direction. He also got to flash the quick hands, awareness, and playmaking abilities on his pick six. Taylor did a great job of playing the run attacking the edge. He was able to avoid blockers and then close on the ball carrier with a quick burst. Isaiah is also a very good tackler, ending plays with hard hits and wrapping up to ensure the ball carrier can't run their feet for more yards. Don't sleep on the senior LB.      Stats: 10 Tackles, 3 PBUs   Alex was a key contributor towards Germantown's shutout Week 2 victory, and he looked impressive throughout his highlights. The junior CB is very aggressive at the catch point and that led to multiple broken up passes. In his off coverage, the junior did a great job of reading the receiver and the QB then instantly accelerating to close on the pass. The junior both showed great hand placement to breakup passes and hard hitting tackling to break up passes. Having reliable tackling out in space is a big time bonus for defenses and Alex gives Germantown that alongside being an effective zone corner. Check out his highlights and keep this kid on your radars.      Kevin put together a great Week 2 on special teams and defense. The big play DB/KR averaged 33 yards per return on 3 returns, setting up the offense to control to pour on the points like they did. Nevin has a big frame with plenty of athleticism. Those two paired together to allow him to deliver big hits on defense. That culminated in the highlights on a hit where he exploded through the receiver, and sending the kid's helmet popping off. The senior has excellent range that allowed him to make the INT in zone coverage at the end of the half also. Nevin did a great job of running the route for the receiver and making the over the shoulder catch. It looks like Poppy recently came over from Chanhassen in MN, so he is a new, talented 2025 prospect to get to know.      Stats: 10 Tackles, 2 TFLs   Jackson and Pewaukee made the trip down to Iowa to meet up with Moberly HS for a game and one of the state's top LBs delivered a strong showing. The ILB is doing what we have been so impressed by for over a year now. Showing a great downhill trigger when he reads run, flying through gaps and closing in a flash on ball carriers. Multiple times he was able to beat RBs through the hole and make the tackle for loss. Jackson has great instincts for the position. The senior easily picks through the front seven as he works towards the ball. He is able to shed blocks with strength and has the agility to make defenders miss. Servais is one of the top uncommitted senior LBs in WI.

Week 2 brought out some dominant defensive efforts. We saw LBs and DLs living in the backfield as they disrupted plays and made sacks or TFLs. We saw DBs that were unbelievable ballhawks including one that grabbed 3 INTs in a weather-shortened game. We also have a strong collection of uncommitted and under the radar senior talent that college recruiters and coaches are going to want to make sure they know about. Let's dive into this loaded group!