Week 1 Defensive Top Performers IL

Eric Bergman August 31, 2025 @ 10:13 PM

Zayne Justice – 2028 DE, St. Teresa Justice made his presence felt in the backfield with 2 sacks against Urbana. The young defensive end showed flashes of his potential, using quickness off the edge to create constant pressure. For a 2028 prospect, he already has the frame and motor that coaches look for, and his performance in Week 1 was an early statement that he'll be a force moving forward.;   Elliott Rogers – Monmouth-Roseville, DB Rogers had a game to remember, pulling down 3 interceptions in his team's win over Mercer County. His ability to read the quarterback and jump routes gave the Titans' defense a huge lift. Plays like that not only change momentum but also give confidence to the entire defense, and Rogers proved he can be a difference-maker on the back end.   Gavin Rodriguez – Plainfield Central, LB Rodriguez turned in a monster performance with 19 tackles against Waukegan. He was all over the field, diagnosing plays and finishing with authority. His toughness and physicality set the tone for the Wildcats' defense, and when a linebacker racks up nearly 20 stops, it shows just how dominant he was in controlling the game from sideline to sideline.   [player_tooltip player_id='1334149' first='Drake' last='May'] – 2027 LB, Macomb May piled up 14 tackles in his matchup against Rushville, showing why he's already one of the more reliable linebackers in his class. He plays with a high motor and has the instincts to always be around the football. His performance helped keep the defense steady throughout the night, and with his size and athleticism, May is the type of linebacker opponents will have to account for all seaso

Zayne Justice – 2028 DE, St. Teresa
Justice made his presence felt in the backfield with 2 sacks against Urbana. The young defensive end showed flashes of his potential, using quickness off the edge to create constant pressure. For a 2028 prospect, he already has the frame and motor that coaches look for, and his performance in Week 1 was an early statement that he'll be a force moving forward.;