AA Defensive Line Standouts

One of the most promising prospects of our Rochester Lourdes, Olson, is a high-motor edge rusher who I can't wait to see more of. He's patient when playing read options, and because of this, Olson is often able to stop them for a loss behind the LOS. He possesses a quick first step off the line and has a variety of moves in his bag that he can use once he's engaged with an offensive lineman. His speed and bend make him a dangerous weapon, especially in AA. If he can pack on some weight, Olson is going to be a problem next season.     A former PRZ combine All-Camp team member, Staub is part of a hyped up Triton squad that is looking to make a splash in 2025. He's surprisingly agile for such a thick kid, but his power remains evident as well. He fights constantly through blocker after blocker and is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier. His work, particularly off stunts, is impressive. Even if he doesn't get to the QB, Staub can command multiple blockers at the same time, freeing up lanes for other pass rushers. He's a tough kid to displace from the LOS. I'm a big fan of Staub's potential ahead of his senior year.     A thick DT two-way starter boasting an uncommonly large frame for AA football, Barker is a small school athlete whose stock I could see rising continuously throughout his prep career. There are very few DTs who can take up as much space as Barker does, because that kid can completely close off a run lane. He's particularly potent as a run stopper. Barker can shuck offensive linemen aside with ease and works down the line well. If he puts up some solid junior tape this fall, I could see Barker nabbing some NSIC offers and some FCS attention.     A 2028 athlete who is in a great position to have a breakout varsity debut season this fall, Horsman is a two-sport athlete who sees action on both sides of the ball. He's got a great build for a freshman and moves really well for his 200+ lb frame. He's got a litany of film on both sides of the ball, and despite being a bigger AA underclassman prospect, has upside as an edge rusher, but likely also possesses the size to be bumped to the IDL. Horsman has a good bend around the edge, especially for his age. He's consistently able to pressure the QB, and I can't wait to see more of him in 2025.     Hailing from one of the most underrated out-state schools in terms of recent talent production, Midge is a thick defensive end with a nose for the ball. Midge has surprising speed for a 250 lb athlete, and because of his size, he does have the ability to play between the guards as well. Perhaps one of the best parts of his game is his ability to keep offensive linemen at bay while he works down the LOS. Midge is a diamond in the rough, a small-town prospect that needs more attention heading into his senior year.     A do-it-all 2028 athlete who plays on both sides of the ball and is involved in a litany of other activities, Draper is a kid who I could see taking a big leap during his sophomore campaign. On his tape, Draper boasts a very quick first step, as well as some of the best pursuit out of any prospect in his class. He does a great job of getting underneath bigger offensive linemen's pads, and he can utilize that wrestler's sense of leverage to work through some of those mammoths up front.     Healy is a big and athletic defensive end who frankly looks out of place at times playing AA ball. With a menacing 4-point stance, and an extremely athletic get off from the LOS, Healy is a force to be reckoned with coming off the edge. He's got a bunch of pass rush moves in his bag, ranging from hesi-steps to push/pulls, and they're all very effective. His physicality when hawking down QBs is impressive, and I can't imagine it's fun to get hit by him. I'd love to get a closer look during a camp, but on tape, his ceiling appears to be NSIC potential.     An absolute unit of a prospect whom I'm psyched to see during his junior year, Freerksen is a giant DT without any varsity film yet, but his potential for success at that level is clear. There aren't a ton of kids in AA who can match his frame, but what stuck out to me on his film is how mobile he is for that size. This dude was a GAME CHANGER on JV. Freerksen completely erased running lanes and forced offensive linemen to double-team him. He gets a great jump off the ball, and even when multiple blockers are trying to displace him, he doesn't move. With a full season of film on varsity, Freerksen could see his stock skyrocket.