Scout’s Notebook: D-Line from PRZ NXT MS Combine, Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My event coverage from April 5ths Prep Redzone Next Middle School Combine in Jackson, New Jersey continues with a position-by-position breakdown of each prospect that I was able to record notes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For continued coverage and updates, be sure to follow me on <a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">X/Twitter.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A defensive line prospect that understands that the low many wins was [player_tooltip player_id='1296756' first='Jayden' last='Trainer']. Trainer was consistently lower than his matchup, allowing him to win a number of his matchups without doing much other than having superior leverage... There might not have been a more technically advanced defensive line prospect than [player_tooltip player_id='1619559' first='Zyonn' last='Virgil']. When I was observing one of the indy periods I saw Virgil activating his hips the most, relative to his peers. Once he was competing he hit an absolutely gorgeous double-handed wrist grab. As he got his hips through, he finished. I actually pulled Virgil aside, complimenting this move, and encouraging him to finish and convert by dipping his shoulder low to get past untouched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1277801' first='Nadir' last='Smith'] was another prospect who was a little hippy, too. Smith shows that his hips were quick to activate, allowing him to often gain the edge. Furthermore, Smith also demonstrated a swipe move that he was awfully effective at using... Reading his visual key well, [player_tooltip player_id='1045778' first='Mekhi' last='Bonner'] was able to adjust to what was in front of him. Bonner threatened matchups with speed, but knew to counter when his opponent overset, giving away the inside. Like candy from a baby, Bonner took that inside path whenever he saw it available.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Closing out is a prospect who is <em>almost </em>there: Charlie Hughes. Hughes showed that he can bull rush, threaten the edge with speed, and also read and know when to take the inside. A lot of times, he had his opponent beat; however, in order to convert and finish he <strong>must </strong>work a move and activate his hands. The defensive line coach in me had to pull Hughes aside at one point and remind him that the offensive player cannot block what he cannot touch - use your hands to keep his off of you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Event Coverage: Prep Redzone Next Combine Series – New Jersey</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/prz-next-combine-series-5-offensive-lineman-im-excited-to-see">Event Preview: Offensive Linemen</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/prz-next-combine-series-5-defenders-im-excited-to-see">Event Preview: Defenders, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/prz-next-combine-series-5-more-defenders-im-excited-to-see">Event Preview: Defenders, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/prz-next-combine-series-5-quarterbacks-im-excited-to-see">Event Preview: Quarterbacks</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/prz-next-combine-series-5-offensive-skills-im-excited-to-see">Event Preview: Offensive Skills</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/instant-reaction-prep-redzone-next-combine-series-new-jersey">Post-Event Instant Reaction</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/the-offensive-eye-test-prospects-physically-ready-to-compete-now">Offensive Eye Test</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/the-defensive-eye-test-prospects-physically-ready-to-compete-now">Defensive Eye Test</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/workout-warriors-defensive-players-top-combine-scores">Top Combine Scores, Defense</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/workout-warriors-offensive-players-top-combine-scores">Top Combine Scores, Offense</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-d-backs-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-1">Defensive Back Notes, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-d-line-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-1">Defensive Line Notes, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-o-line-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-1">Offensive Line Notes, Part 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->