Predicting College Value for Five DTs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Interior D-Linemen don't grow on trees. This is a position that is typically very sought after by colleges. You need to be physical, explosive, and you've got to have a ton of muscle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's almost time for the Class of 2026 to really get evaluated. In a couple of months, most non-D1 colleges will be stepping on the gas with their Class of 2026 recruiting efforts. All of the defensive linemen in this article have a chance to get recruited, the question is- where? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["563421"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1616107,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67a0109704a87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Braedyn does NOT play on the interior at Riverview, though I suspect his college upside will be at defensive tackle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On tape and when I watched him against River Rogue, Braedyn immediately impressed with his size and physicality. Not all 6'2" 220's are the same, but Braedyn's 6'2" 220 is very well put together. In addition, I love his ability to anchor, keep his eyes in the backfield, and stop the inside run. There were several instances on tape where the opposing tackle fails to move him, then Braedyn makes a quick move and stuffs the hole. Finally, I don't think Braedyn has the size or quickness needed to be a great college defensive end. His main draw is his power, and that power, I suspect, will be best utilized on the interior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If he's firm-set on playing DE/EDGE in college, Braedyn is a Division 3 prospect. If he's willing to play as a DT, I could very easily see him being a highly-touted GLIAC prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18034777/673418a14907b00f822489dd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a015389dd33"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1205770"],"_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-67a0109704af2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Andrew has the motor needed to be a great Division 2 football player one day. The question is, will D2s offer? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right now, I have Andrew as a Division 3 prospect with a lot of potential to rise to D2. I see Andrew being a phenomenal DT in short-yardage run-likely situations. Against the inside run, he typically does a nice job of anchoring down, keeping his eyes in the backfield, and moving where the RB moves. Though, he's not agile enough to be a great pass rusher or run stopper outside the tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll see how Andrew fares at offseason camps. If he moves well and performs OK during 1v1 periods, he should earn D3 attention. Typically, with players who are stronger than they are fast, their tape outperforms any workout in pajamas. No problem with that- I'm just saying coaches will likely be impressed with the tape. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17797163/6752068607263e1895b38846' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a015389dd96"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284973"],"_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-67a0109704b3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have a lot of information on Carson, and he's a very interesting prospect to evaluate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm mixed on his tape. On one hand, Carson has moments of good explosivity and has good size. On the other hand, there aren't too many truly standout plays on tape. My testing numbers back the explosivity up- a 106 inch broad jump is quite good, but Carson is around average in other categories. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stand out at camps, flash that explosiveness, etc, and Carson is a Division 3 prospect. Right now, I have him as a fringe D3 / NAIA prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16741840/66ef29086172dc78fbdf2920' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a015389ddef"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1158862"],"_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-67a0109704b82"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gavin is a player I've watched closely over the past year. In late 2023, I first watched Gavin's tape and came away very impressed. Now, I think he's leveled out as a fringe Division 3 prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gavin's best trait is his hands. No doubt about it- Cass Tech knows how to coach violent hands into their defensive linemen. Also, there's a few instances where Gavin gets off the ball quickly. Though, since he was a rotational player this season, I can't be confident in predicting D3 offers. He's a good high school player who has college upside, but right now, he'll probably fall a bit in the rankings. <br>I'm still excited to watch Gavin this offseason and I hope he's able to earn good offers! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18117734/674f3a9f9405b796319dc8aa' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a015389de4d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1264428"],"_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-67a0109704bf6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lastly, we've got [player_tooltip player_id='1264428' first='Grayson' last='Fuller'] from EGR. This is actually my most difficult eval on this list. I unconfidently list Grayson as an NAIA prospect. The biggest thing is that I don't see a ton of standout plays on tape, and I've ONLY watched his tape. I have not watched Grayson in person, and an in-person evaluation could sway my opinion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In short, Grayson is a solid run-stopper who has flashes of solid hands and effort. Though, his overall confidence and play speed needs to be improved. His size indicates great upside, and there's still plenty of time for Grayson to improve and become a phenomenal college football player- there are some GREAT programs at the NAIA level! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18030745/66d5e51d47410d035354fef2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a015389de8f"} /-->