PRZIA ’27 Rankings Update Position Breakdown: D-Line

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, Prep Redzone Iowa dropped its updated&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">Class 2028 rankings</a>. Next up is a&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/">rankings update for the Class of 2027</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like we did with the sophomores, we're taking a closer look at the group through position breakdowns. This piece will examine the juniors listed on the defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at some guys doing work in the trenches:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1674573"],"_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-6867d93b23d32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adol operated in the middle of the Bulldog defensive front in 2024 and does not look like a sophomore when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16877172/671faa954c53f0b9b5967a0d">highlight video</a>. The young fella chews up blocks and spits them out. Adol is quick laterally with straight-line burst. In addition to the agility and athleticism, there's power and strength in his game. While there's plenty of present-day production when it comes to Adol, there's excitement for what's to come. His frame is such that it can add mass without the loss of the unique traits that make him successful now. As long as he continues working at his craft and developing physically, Adol has a good chance to reach his sizable ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197453"],"_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-6867d93b23d96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">During an in-person scout of McNeal in the Class 4A state semifinals last November at the UNI-Dome, I saw a prospect packed with potential. It's the Russell Crowe Gladiator meme when watching McNeal's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19489541/66d89326712b2491440d54d2">sophomore highlight video</a>. We see a big kid getting after it with unusual quickness and athleticism for his size, exactly what you look for in a defensive tackle. McNeal fires off of the snap, overwhelming blockers and getting them on their heels early. He also understands his role in absorbing blocks and playing his assignments. McNeal produced, racking up 31 solo tackles, 9.5 tackles and 4.0 sacks. Most importantly, he passes the eye test.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1105159"],"_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-6867d9afdde34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anderson is an exciting prospect. He illustrates that during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19534236/66fab355a015cd20b12efb01">sophomore highlight video</a> of 2024, when he flashes a broad base of talents. Projection makes matters even more exciting, as there's plenty of room for growth before Anderson reaches his significant upside. There's physical and technical development ahead to an already intriguing player who's producing. It's difficult containing Anderson due to his combination of quickness and power. He moves well laterally and in a straight line. Anderson plays under control and within the Black Raiders' scheme. He could help a whole lot of college programs on the interior of their defensive lines and is a potential difference maker on the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1654030"],"_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-6867ecad0af3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Preston-Grady produced as a sophomore in 2024. He contributed 25 solo tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks last season. We see how Preston-Grady gets the job done when watching his 10th-grade highlight video. His combination of athleticism and strength allows the Dodgers to move him around the defensive front. Preston-Grady shows an aptitude for making plays off of the edge or from up the gut. It's smart to keep utilizing him that way until his physical and technical development reveal his best spot. D-End is the current favorite, but his quickness and agility would play up even more at tackle. It will be exciting to see how it comes together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1283377"],"_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-6867efde92a09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Diehl is the real deal, a prospect with current production and potential for much more down the line. Witness that for yourself by watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19761200/67111a510946407610164e9c">sophomore highlight video</a>, in which he does not look like a 10th-grader. He played well beyond his years, which makes the next two seasons and beyond exciting to think about. In 2024, he contributed 12 solo tackles, 4.0 stops for loss and a sack to the cause. Those numbers should rise in 2024. Diehl was physically advanced last year, and with another year of development, he'll be harder to handle. His technique is sound and he plays disciplined football, operating within the Knight scheme. Diehl looks like a great bet to break out this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204514"],"_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-6867f06d82fb6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Feuerbach impacted games as a sophomore in 2024. He posted 28.5 tackles (22 solo, 5.0 TFL) with a sack. Feuerbach was a handful for Spartan opponents, as he shows during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19834396/66eae9dc082bda10871137bd">10th-grade highlight video</a>. It's because he combines strength with athleticism. His power wins him battles in tight spaces. That and active hands help him disengage from blocks. Feuerbach's quickness and agility serve him well when beating the opponent off the snap. His lateral movements and straight-line speed lead to quarterback pressure and the knack for crashing down on the run. With another year of development and coaching in a sound Spartan program, Feuerbach has a great shot of being even more impactful this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->