Shut-Down Specialists: Week 2’s Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other day, I went over some offensive playmakers. Today, I will be discussing defensive ballers from week 2!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["504133"],"_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-66e1eb2c316b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pyatt has been on fire to start the season. Measuring in at 6'2 215 pounds, he currently leads all Colorado players in tackles, averaging 15 per game. In week 2 against Fairview, Pyatt had 16 total tackles (9 solo, 7 assisted), 3 TFL, 0.5 sack, and 3 QB hurries. Pyatt has very good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, speed, and good change of direction. Pyatt is a hungry dog, consistently creating plays across the field. His very good strength stood out to me. A couple examples include: he shed 2 blocks and still tackled the ball carrier; he also pushed the center 5-10 yards back from the line of scrimmage with his powerful legs and drive. Pyatt is a phenomenal run stopper who plugs up the middle. He IDs which gaps to rush through resulting in a TFL. He'll use a low pad level to get leverage against the OL or TE. Pyatt also has the athletic ability to cover WRs/ TEs in pass coverage. Pyatt is an impressive player who looks to continue demolishing the competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297857"],"_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-66e1eb2c3171a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hernandez had an impressive game against Littleton. The defensive end had 11 total tackles (5 solo, 6 assisted), 6 TFL, 4.0 sacks, and 1 FR. Littleton did not have any answers for Hernandez as he was a game wrecker on the defensive line. Hernandez has good athletic ability due to good speed and acceleration. He has a quick burst of acceleration at the LOS, being able to bend his body around the tackle. He uses a low pad level to out leverage the OL, and uses his good hand placement to move them out of the way. Enzo has a good bull rush to knock the OL off their anchor. Sometimes he was left unblocked, and would get an easy hit on the QB. Against the run, he would come off the block and wrap up the defender. Hernandez is an intriguing player to watch, as he's only in his junior year putting up these numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283704"],"_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-66e1eb2c3175c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arvada West has a plethora of ballers, and we happen to have 2 on the list today. Sanchez and Pyatt are two top tier linebackers covering the middle for A.W. Sanchez had a nice night against Fairview, accounting for 15 total tackles (7 solo, 8 assisted) and 1 FR. He has good athletic ability due to good speed, acceleration, and change of direction. Good sideline to sideline speed too. Sanchez's competitive toughness was on full display. He'd be consistently helping his teammates finish tackles, or rush across the field to get the tackle. He watches the QB's eyes leading him to the ball carrier. If it wasn't Pyatt wrapping up the ball carrier, it was Sanchez. He excels at stopping the run. Putting an end to the ball carrier's journey right when they step in his path.  I'm looking forward to seeing what else Sanchez has in store for the remainder of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["978207"],"_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-66e1eb2c3179a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Niedringhaus was a tackling machine this past weekend against Columbine. The 6'3 220-pound interior defensive lineman had a total of 16 tackles (1 solo, 15 assisted), and 4 TFL. Niedringhaus has good athletic ability due to good acceleration, solid change of direction and speed. John has very good strength, and that is shown right when you throw on the tape. He starts with a good initial quickness out of his stance. Creating contact first, he uses a low pad level and good hand placement to move the OL.  He also uses his powerful legs to drive through the offensive line and double blocks. His competitive toughness was on full display. He was continuously helping teammates finish tackles. He wasn't being a lone ranger, instead helping where he was needed for the betterment of the team. Niedringhaus does the dirty work that is needed from the DL, watch out for him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["979152"],"_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-66e1eb2c317d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shuss continued where he left off last year for Legend. The 6'2 198-pound safety was all over the place against Columbine. He had 22 total tackles (2 solo, 20 assisted), and 1 TFL. He was used in a multitude of ways this past game. They had him at the LOS rushing, in the box, or as a deep safety. When Shuss was in the deep safety position, he would still be one of the first players to make contact with the ball carrier. He has very good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, change of direction, and good speed. He's able to stop and pivot on the dot, redirecting himself towards the ball carrier. His very good strength was on display, he would throw defenders down with ease or hit them hard. Shuss was consistently stopping the run or helping his teammates stop the run. He's a very a good tackler, and would wrap up defenders towards their center of gravity. He even made some plays on special teams, sacking the placeholder on the fake field goal. Shuss is a phenomenal safety who deserves more eyes on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->