Defensive Prospects That Shined on Tape in First Half of Season

There has been a ton of tape we have gone through from the first four weeks of the season.  Check out some of the defensive prospects who have shined!   DL [player_tooltip player_id='975570' first='Darieon' last='Prescott'] (Bolingbrook – 2028)   Prescott is one of the best sophomores in the state.  Long and smooth athlete that gets QBs off their spots and uses his length to make it difficult to throw around.  In the run game he can take on blocks and run after the ball carrier for the tackler.  Elite burst and bend off the edge getting to the passer.  Turns speed into power as a pass rusher.  Plays with a high-motor and relentless pursuit.   DL Alijah Martin (Mt. Zion – 2027)   Martin goes 6'2” 265 pounds on the defensive line.  The nose guard has good strength and power up front.  Explosiveness getting up field as a pass rusher.  Uses his hands very well.  Consistent push up the middle.  Makes plays in the run game shedding blockers.  Good athlete.   DL Jack Gilardi (St. Ignatius – 2026)   The 6'3” 230 pound defensive lineman is a physical end vs the run.  Sound technique against the run.  Quick moves getting in the backfield.  Flashes vs the pass with some power and pop off the edge.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1688887' first='Khristaan' last='Moore'] (Crete Monee – 2028)   Moore goes 6'0” and 245 pounds as a defensive tackle that showcases quickness off the snap.  Good athlete that can run after the ball.  Gets up field and makes plays vs the run for TFL.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1691153' first='Tye' last='Thurmond'] (Bradley Bourbonnais – 2026)   Thurmond went for 4 sacks and 7 TFL in the first four games of the year.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1400018' first='Anthony' last='Adams'] (St. Patrick – 2026)   The big and strong defensive end from St. Patrick can get after the QB with his power on the EDGE.  Plays with a good motor and lays the hammer on the passer.  Intimidating presence up front.  Can also slide inside to DT and rush.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1636694' first='Kaden' last='Dangman'] (Lincoln Way East – 2028)   This sophomore 6'0” 250 pound defensive tackle is very powerful with his hands.  Gets good push right up into the QB's face.  Has some pass rush upside.  Runs well for a defensive tackle.   DL Ethan Brooks (Wheaton Academy – 2027)   Rangy 6'0” 200 pound defensive end that has bend getting to the QB.  He can fight through double teams.  Gets off the ball quick.  High motor player who attacks the ball.  Core special teams player.  Also contributes as a tight end.   DL/OL Aiden Jarvis (Hononegah – 2026)   As a defensive tackle he is quick off the ball and gets in the backfield to make plays.  Good pass rusher with power/explosiveness combo.  Jarvis is a left guard on the offensive side that can pull and is mobile in space.  Technically sound on the interior.   DL Aiden Hennings (Lincoln Way Central – 2026)   Hennings is a 6'4” 250 pound defensive lineman that is tough against the run as a defensive tackle.  Gets off the block and into the backfield for the stop.  Nice technique and use of his hands.  Like the pass rush potential with his quickness and strength inside.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1399965' first='Munkh' last='Tsog'] (Glenbrook South – 2026)   The 6'4” 260 pound defensive lineman brings good size and skill to the table.  Power rusher that loves to bull rush right through the tackle.  Nice spin move as well.  Gets off blocks to make tackles vs the run with his strong hands.   DL Jacob White (St. Patrick – 2028)   White is a 6'1” 265 pound defensive lineman that has good strength and length.  His long arms help his bring in the ball carrier.  Does a nice job getting off blocks in the run game.  Gets in the backfield making big plays.   DL Curtis Blanden Jr (Urbana – 2026)   Blanden is a massive human at 6'4” 340 pounds.  The defensive tackle is a pretty good athlete for his size.  Showed some ability to get up field.  Physical vs the run.  Also plays on the offensive line where he is a pancake machine!   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1538096' first='Jalen' last='Byrd'] (Lincoln Way Central – 2026)   Byrd has racked up 30+ tackles, 5 TFL, and a pair of forced fumbles through the first four weeks of his senior campaign.   LB Niko Mann (Hinsdale Central – 2026)   Mann has 1 interception, 1 QB hit, 2 QB pressures, and 8 tackles early in the season.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1651580' first='Jake' last='Cantal'] (Maine South – 2026)   The Maine South linebacker has put up big numbers defensively with 35 tackles, 3 pass break ups, and 3 TFLs through four contests.  Major part of holding opponents to under 70 yards a game on the ground.   LB Wyatt Brandt (St. Charles North – 2026)   This linebacker has racked up 33 tackles, 6 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 pass break up, and 4 QB hits in his first four games of his senior season.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1570757' first='Derrick' last='Pomatto'] (Joliet Catholic – 2027)   In the first four weeks Pomatto has 45 tackles including 5 TFLs and 1 forced fumble.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1178871' first='Logan' last='Oros'] (Wheaton Academy – 2027)   This linebacker shows good instincts attacking downhill breaking through the line for TFL and hits on the quarterback.  Also shows off his athleticism on the offensive side playing wide receiver.   LB Will Mettee (Loyola – 2027)   The Ramblers middle linebacker is a strong build defender that runs to the ball with purpose.  He is one speed all the time flying to the ball and making tackles.  Good instincts and feel in the run game.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='812644' first='Leroy' last='Prothro Jr'] (Mt. Carmel – 2029)   The 5'9” corner has a smooth backpedal and can react well to the ball in the air.  Smooth athlete that plays with good technique displaying it on the JV level.   DB Reid Williams (Libertyville – 2027)   Williams cut in front of wide out over middle for INT.  His feet are constantly moving!  Sound tackler in space.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='1689437' first='Nick' last='Elstner'] (Lincoln Way West – 2028)   This sophomore safety closes on the ball reading the QB's eyes breaking in front of receiver for interception.  Physical coming up min the run game tackling very well in one on one situations.    DB [player_tooltip player_id='1545314' first='Tommy' last='Westrom'] (Neuqua Valley – 2026)   Westrom is a defensive back that is best as a nickel or safety.  Tackles well and is solid in coverage making plays on the ball.  Cuts off angles for the QB to throw the ball.    DB [player_tooltip player_id='1774379' first='Evan' last='Shanks'] (Antioch – 2026)   Through the first four weeks the Antioch defensive back has 10 tackles, 7 pass break ups, and 1 interception.   DB AJ Garcia (Lockport – 2026)   Garcia is a 5'11” defensive back that has only allowed four catches through the first four games of the season.  He has 15 tackles, 2 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='1885363' first='Conor' last='Gibbs'] (St. Ignatius – 2026)   Gibbs is a cornerback that brings physicality on the outside.  He is super tough and scrappy.  Solid footwork.  Does a nice job of getting his hand around the receiver to break it up.    DB [player_tooltip player_id='1571670' first='Charlie' last='Palmer'] (Lincoln Way East – 2027)   The LWE strong safety knows how to lay the hammer with his hits over the middle.  Forces fumbles and separates the ball from the opponent.  Missile flying to the ball making the tackle.    DB Chris Whetstone (Hampshire – 2026)   Like how this safety takes good angles to the ball.  Tackles well in space and has range as a centerfielder making interceptions jumping in front of receiver.  Also has some explosive ability as a kick returner.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='1635618' first='Will' last='Molloy'] (New Trier – 2027)   Molloy is a safety that runs to the ball making big plays.  Also has juice as a kick returner.  Like how he is a core special teams player on coverage units.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='1570789' first='Mick' last='Rapinchuk'] (Downers Grove South – 2026)   Through four games the free safety has 26 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, and 2 pass break ups.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='1361840' first='Rick' last='Miller'] (New Trier – 2027)   Miller is a defensive back that in four game has 14 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 7 passes broken up.   DB Ryan Mullen (Wheaton St. Francis – 2027)   Mullen is a corner that can run and cover downfield making plays on the ball in the air.  Crisp footwork in coverage.   DB Brayden Howland (Batavia – 2027)   Howland is a 6'2” 185 pound safety that likes to play near the line of scrimmage blowing up the run game.  Very sound tackler.    ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1355668' first='Ty' last='Jackson'] (Pekin – 2026)   The 5'8” two way standout has racked up 600 all purpose yards along with 5 scores through four weeks and been very impactful on the defensive side with 33 tackles, 2 TFL, and 5 pass break ups.   ATH Bryce Ellens (Glenbard West – 2027)   Ellens on the offensive side is a running back that can catch it out of the backfield and is best getting in space using his speed and elusiveness.  Slippery with ball in hands.  On the defensive end the corner can blitz off the edge closing in on the QB.  Hits with power laying the hammer as a tackler.  Physically bringing the ball carrier down.  Solid in coverage as a press corner that uses his hands well.   ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1661734' first='Keysan' last='Taylor'] (Rockford Guilford – 2027)   Taylor is our top ranked ATH in the state's junior class.  Defensively he has been a monster early in the season as the 6'4” 225 pound force has had 15 tackles, 6 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 3 pressures, and 4 pass break ups.  On the offensive side he has been a mismatch with 12 catches for 243 yards and a touchdown.   ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1287066' first='Langston' last='Smith'] (St. Rita – 2026)   As a corner he shows solid instincts on the back end making plays on the ball.  Tackles low.  Smith is a fluid athlete offensively that is good with the ball after the catch.  Makes impactful plays on gadget type plays getting him on the move and in space.

There has been a ton of tape we have gone through from the first four weeks of the season. Check out some of the defensive prospects who have shined!