The Best Early Season Defensive Performances I Scouted

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's officially playoff season in Michigan, with District Championships in just a couple of days. Looking back on the regular season, I watched a lot of great defenders. Here are five insanely good defensive performances I watched early this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1217538"],"_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-6723ada9d2bfc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've watched Jacob a few times in person, and he's a major standout every single time. His performance against Davison still stands out in my mind. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have yet to see a more dominant defensive tackle this season. Through four quarters, Jacob consistently plugged up the inside run while showcasing impeccable motor + effort on every passing down. On top of that, he's got ideal size and power for a defensive tackle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I strongly believe that Jacob will quickly develop into a dominant player for Grand Valley State. GV got themselves a steal! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["600132"],"_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-6723ada9d2ca2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Xavier's Week 1 performance against Cleveland Heights still stands out to me. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've seen a lot of players with similar size. 6'5"+, long arms, relatively thin. In the vast majority of cases, players with that same size profile have D1 offers while still looking incredibly raw. Not Xavier. While he still has room to grow, I was very impressed with his violent hands, motor, and tackle radius. This is a prospect with little quit, and someone who knows how to maneuver his body to win blocks. He's a P5 prospect in my eyes and I'm looking forward to seeing where he ends up committing!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1290459"],"_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-6723ada9d2ce4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although very undersized, DeWayne is absolutely balling out at the high school level. His week 1 performance against Davison still sticks out in my mind, and honestly, so does last year's state championship performance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You'll find few defensive linemen / EDGE rushers that fire off the ball as quickly as DeWayne. I've seen him go up against some highly-touted linemen, and more often than not, DeWayne's speed wins over the offensive lineman's superior size and reach. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although I don't know what position DeWayne will play in college, I am confident that he can still succeed as a third-down pass rusher up to the D2 level. Troy Hairston II (Seaholm grad, played CFB at CMU, now on Texans) was an undersized linebacker who grew into a phenomenal defensive lineman at CMU with a similar size profile. I really, really hope that DeWayne has a similar story of success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["566881"],"_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-6723ada9d2d23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nathan is still the best linebacker that I've watched all season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He does everything at a very high level. Not only does Nathan react extremely quickly, but he also does it with excellent anticipation and elite athleticism. There was one redzone play that Saline ran (outside pitch/screen) where I watched Nathan immediately sprint toward the ball carrier and get a big TFL. Absolutely elite run stopper, and a very, very good pass defender. All with ideal size alongside elite athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prospects- watch Nathan's tape if you want an example of a true future D1 LB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1246940"],"_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-6723ada9d2d61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Drew was another big early-mid season defensive standout. I really like how he was utilized against GR Catholic Central, and I loved his effort throughout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Drew was sent on several blitzes, and he became a free rusher numerous times. Having free reign to the QB, Drew came away with some sacks, QB hits, and some important QB pressures. Because of Drew's pressure, the GRCC passing game never left ground floor. I've seen some other tape here and there, and it seems that Drew's had an overall great season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I honestly expect to see Drew and ND Prep play at Ford Field in a couple of weeks! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->