704 Junior Bowl: If It Existed? Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Queen City Senior Bowl honors 80 of the top seniors in the Charlotte Metro Area. Prep Redzone North Carolina takes a look at a hypothetical “704 Junior Bowl” – players that had a strong junior season that would be considered for a selection if such a game existed in the Charlotte Metro Area….</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["823700"],"_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-678704fc2e2ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aiden continues to be a highly regarded player by just about every Power 4 school in the United States. Aiden has visited Oregon, Auburn, NC State, and Ohio State in person. He also recently got an in person visit from New North Carolina Tar Heels Head Coach Bill Belichick. It's safe to say Aiden is probably the easiest Junior Bowl selection I'll ever make. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1002307"],"_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-678704fc2e316"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The speed rushing phenom off the edge is also a talented pitcher in baseball, in case you were not aware. Rodney also received a visit from Coach Belichick at North Carolina, and expressed some excitement about Norte Dame recently. Rodney has multiple Power 4 offers and has the traits to be an elite pass rusher on the next level. He is a no-brainer selection for our Junior Bowl team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["951444"],"_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-678704fc2e368"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is a theme here with our defensive linemen - they are highly covered by multiple Power 4 schools and Andrew is no exception. Along with his aforementioned brother, he also received a visit from Coach Belichick at North Carolina recently. Andrew also picked up his most recent offer from Michigan State and has a ton of schools to choose from as well. His elite size/speed combination along with excellent hand usage at the snap are a few reasons he makes this Junior Bowl team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1165700"],"_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-678704fc2e3b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In watching Manny up close last season, I enjoyed watching him dominate at the line of scrimmage in the running game - that was a new addition to his game as I've seen him be explosive as a pass rusher on film on multiple occasions. Manny's most recent offers have come from Yale, Dartmouth, and Appalachian State. With a 4.4 GPA in hand, Manny will have a lot of choices to play college football. And he's on our Junior Bowl team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1368127"],"_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-678704fc2e403"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A lot of people may not know Dominic as a defensive line force in Charlotte, but trust and believe college football coaches are aware of his talent. Dominic has offers from Liberty, Wake Forest, and Georgia Southern currently. And he has interest from other schools as well. Dominic's physical frame starts the excitement from college coaches and the fact that he can both stop the run and rush the passer well with equal talent make him a potential 3-down player at the next level. And a member of this Junior Bowl team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[308523],"_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-678704fc2e44c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">KJ is another player that I got to observe live last season, and he was a major disruptor in both the running game and passing game. As a run defender, KJ excels in getting his hands on linemen, shedding blocks, and reading the play to get to the football. In passing situations, KJ showed a good ability to play half a man in his pass rush and get upfield pressure with a couple of different pass rush moves. Jacksonville State, Old Dominion, Georgia State, and Georgia Tech are KJ's latest offers. An easy Junior Bowl selection. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["473951"],"_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-678704fc2e495"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Antoine, better known as Sam, is starting to really blow up now coming off of being a defensive line anchor for the state champion Lions. I have been a fan of his for a long time due to his overall strength and run stuffing ability in the middle of the defensive line. Sam being a rock in the middle allows the speed of the Lions linebackers and defensive backs to flow freely and cause havoc all over the football field. Sam picked up his first two offers from Johnson C Smith and Troy Universities, and he's coming off a strong season statistically with 78 tackles and 13 sacks. Proud to have him on this Junior Bowl team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284088"],"_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-678704fc2e4dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chris once again continues to raise havoc up front for the Huskies' defensive line. With a lot of talent up front, Chris was still an impact player with 6 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, leading the interior defensive linemen in those categories. Chris is strong and powerful against the run, and he does a great job pushing the pocket in the passing game - which opens up their talented edge rushers to feast in 1 on 1 pass rushes against offensive linemen who can't double team due to Chris's presence up front. That constant interior pressure is why he is on this Junior Bowl team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["987160"],"_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-678704fc2e526"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another well kept secret is this young man, who came to the 1st year Ballantyne Ridge program from the West Coast, where Damaad had offers from California, Washington, and Nevada - an impressive slate. Damaad recently received an offer from Troy, and I got a chance to see him up close. A lot of teams ran away from him, but his motor is impressive. Even facing double and triple teams, Damaad still managed to make Impactful plays as a pass rusher. He is a high level EDGE player, and an easy selection for this Junior Bowl team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1159997"],"_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-678704fc2e56e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jace has long been one of my favorite players because he is relentless no matter what the score is or the situation for his team overall. Jace played for a team that had a tough season, but you would never tell watching his highlights or watching him live. Jace is an elite pass rusher who has a great first step off the edge. His motor always runs hot and he has some strong leadership traits as well. Jace has over 60 tackles and 14 sacks being the only threat defensively last season for his team. Players like that are special. With offers from Georgia Tech, Appalachian State, and Georgia State just in the new year so far, colleges think so too. Definitely a spot on this Junior Bowl team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->