State Finals: Underclassmen Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What prospects made an impact at the State Finals?&nbsp; We examine them by class including here in <strong>State Finals: Underclassmen Defensive Standouts</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1334146' first='Namari' last='Anderson'] (Montini - 2027)<br></strong><br>Anderson has next along the defensive front for Montini.&nbsp; The top 10 sophomore goes 6'3” 270 pounds with a frame to add on more strength.&nbsp; Played both defensive tackle and end in this game.&nbsp; Was excellent against the run holding his ground, getting off the block, and making tackles.&nbsp; Long arms with good quickness.&nbsp; Physical with his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL/OL <a>[player_tooltip player_id='1598836' first='Gannon' last='Dunker'] </a>(Lena-Winslow - 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dunker is a 6'1” 250 pound lineman that has a strong frame.&nbsp; Liked how on the defensive side he made a big play early in the game against the run.&nbsp; Tackles in the hole and wraps up down low.&nbsp; As a left tackle he plays with a lot of physicality.&nbsp; Probably projects best on the defensive side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL/OL Preston Shultz (Lena-Winslow - 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schultz stands at 6'1” 255 pounds.&nbsp; Like how mobile he was on the defensive side getting to the outside a couple times to make tackles.&nbsp; Holds up well at the point of attack.&nbsp; Also plays right tackle on the other side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL <a>Hunter Wahtola </a>(DePaul Prep - 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 6'3” 245 pound sophomore popped to us from the very beginning of the 4A title game.&nbsp; At his defensive tackle spot he has great size, strength, and length.&nbsp; Good pass rusher that showed some moves along with a powerful bull rush consistently getting pressure on the pocket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL <a>[player_tooltip player_id='1335224' first='Caleb' last='Brown'] </a>(East St. Louis - 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Super bright future for Brown!&nbsp; He is a defensive tackle that is equally effective vs both the run and pass.&nbsp; Gets off blocks making tackles in the backfield on TFL.&nbsp; Great pursuit for a defensive tackle.&nbsp; Plays with a high-motor.&nbsp; That combined with his physical tools and skill set make him a star in the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1682021' first='Caleb' last='Tucker'] (Mt. Carmel - 2028)<br></strong><br>At 6'4” 330 pounds Tucker is an absolute dynamite prospect!&nbsp; The massive defensive tackle is adequate at taking on blocks for his linebackers to make plays, but he can also get off them taking on double teams against guys several years older and still making the tackle vs the run.&nbsp; Also loved how he put consistent pressure right up the middle in the QB's grill.&nbsp; Super star talent potential down the line!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='498273' first='Phillip' last='White'] (East St. Louis - 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really liked what we saw out of this young linebacker in the 6A title game.&nbsp; Forced a fumble, blew up a screen pass, and overall showed great instincts.&nbsp; Rangy linebacker with speed went right around the left tackle for his strip sack!<br><br><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1335357' first='Raheem' last='Floyd'] (East St. Louis - 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ton of upside with this 2027 defensive back.&nbsp; He had a pair of pass break ups in the endzone including one against Taylor on an in breaking route along with another he had to knock down high pointing.&nbsp; Also jumped a route in the redzone for an interception showing great instincts and burst!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='476341' first='Tavares' last='Harrington'] (Mt. Carmel - 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and rangy corner that has a lot of long term potential.&nbsp; Broke up a pass on a comeback route.&nbsp; Shows good instincts and was active in run support coming up making tackles.&nbsp; Was called for PI once in the endzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->