2025 Standout Ranked DL Check-In (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Use Code PRZWV30 at checkout for 30% off your subscription!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're already over halfway through the 2024 season in the blink of an eye and it's time to spotlight some of our ranked athletes. Here's an update on some of our ranked DL who have performed well to this point of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["487106"],"_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-671fb0bebd847"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our #1 ranked defensive lineman in the 2025 class [player_tooltip player_id='487106' first='Trevor' last='Bigelow'] has helped spearhead a stingy Fairmont Senior defense that is allowing just 6.5 points per game through the first 8 games of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bigelow is on the shortlist for the Stydahar Award as the state's top lineman of the season and has been a dominant player for the Polar Bears for multiple years now. He's an athletic defensive end with the potential to keep growing into an interior lineman at the next level where he has an abundance of D1 offers to this point. Bigelow is a very powerful athlete with great strength and physicality off the end whose quickness off the ball will surprise opposing tackles. He'll be a steal at the FCS level if he ends up there and should develop into a future high-level college player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16654396/6707f32e135b421cc8edd3be' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671fb0bebdb21"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908107"],"_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-671fb0bebdb76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2025 Hurricane TE/DL [player_tooltip player_id='908107' first='Shalik' last='Hampton'] has been having a great season on offense for the Redskins as a big-bodied receiver and is leading a loaded receiving group in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'3 230 jumbo athlete is averaging 20 yards per catch on 31 catches for 620 yards and 14 touchdowns in 8 games this season and looking like the former #1 TE prospect in the class before moving to DL in our rankings. Hampton hasn't gotten as much run on defense this season because of that offensive success, but we still believe that's his highest-ceiling position in college. His length and athleticism bode well for a future along the defensive line at the D1 level, but with his play on offense this season it wouldn't surprise us if he gets a shot at TE at the next level first. Hampton is a rare talent in WV with his size and athleticism with more D1 opportunities sure to come soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19487806/66faa7a4342e1bec1efbe637' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671fb0bebdb9b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["450992"],"_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-671fb0bebdbda"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another 2025 defensive lineman who has been dominant for years now is Bridgeport's [player_tooltip player_id='450992' first='Wes' last='Brown Jr']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's one of our favorite prospects in this class, and he is still being undervalued by college programs to date. Brown Jr remains an FCS-level talent in our eyes and those programs need to get on him ASAP. He's a game wrecker as an interior defensive lineman which is a rare trait at that position in this state. Brown Jr is an explosive athlete and may just be the most powerful player in the state this season. He moves really well for his size and his quickness off the line is just as impressive as his strength and power. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16033625/66fb42849c17e34893b5ed0f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671fb0bebdbf9"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["487112"],"_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-671fb0bebdc32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='487112' first='Zavier' last='Pollard'] was a great addition to an already-loaded Martinsburg roster this off-season and he's stepped right in as their best defensive lineman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Davidson commit is another highly impressive interior DL prospect who is athletic and powerful. Pollard may have the quickest first step among the interior defensive line group in the state this season and can split the guard and center at a high level. His wrestling background aids his play in leverage and hand use while also making him a sure tackler. Pollard gets consistent penetration into the backfield and is versatile in being able to stop the run and rush the passer from the interior. He has the potential to have a great college career as he continues to fill out his frame. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16076656/66eef36b0338c2a1ab2e46cf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671fb0bebdc50"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908108"],"_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-671fb0bebdc89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bridgeport added a tremendous athlete to their program for this season in [player_tooltip player_id='908108' first='Carter' last='Zuliani'] who has been receiving the D1 attention that we said he was deserving of for a while now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zuliani has received FCS offers from Youngstown State, Eastern Kentucky, Mercyhurst, and VMI as more programs are seeing the potential we saw in him. He's flip-flopped between TE and DL in our rankings, and we still believe he could play either at a high level for a D1 program. In Bridgeport's single-wing offense, Zuliani has been more of a focus on defense this season but don't overlook his upside as a pass catcher and blocker on offense too. His 6'6 length can't be taught, and he has the athleticism to pair with it that will allow him to develop into a high-level defensive end in college too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13931938/66f9994d1743cf0430998e7e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671fb0bebdca7"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->