Defensive Studs Standing Out

Offense tends to get a lot of the glory, but defense wins games and championships. Below are some of the best defensive performers so far this season that are helping their squads and boosting their own personal stock!    Leland has been a great performer to start this season, helping Gaylord stay unbeaten through 5 weeks! He plays with a relentless motor, and clear football IQ, consistently demonstrating how to set up offensive linemen and just how to win his rep. What stands out on tape so far is his great use of hands, along with an elite change of direction. He doesn't tip off his next move, keeping offensive linemen lunging and guessing. He lulls them to sleep before exploding with a burst and uses a violent chop along the way to finish getting by. He has been working hard over the last couple of years of becoming a true pass rush specialist, and it appears that hard work is paying off, allowing him to develop into a disruptive and high energy EDGE.     Gavin has opened the 2025 season on a strong note. His highlights so far show discipline, play strength and a relentless motor. As a pass rusher, he is able to win with speed and agility. He possesses a strong first step, using quickness to get outside, or use great body control to counter back inside. He sets up the offensive lineman selling one thing, then making an abrupt cut to beat the blocker almost untouched. What stands out to me is his motor in the run game. He reads and closes quickly, and is able to make a good wrap up tackle. His highlights show him making plays from the back side just because of his sheer determination to make the play. The mix of pass rush and pressure while remaining disciplined in run support makes Gavin a really well rounded EDGE guy.     Through the first 5 weeks, Elliott has exceeded my expectations and established himself as a two-way stud. Offensively, he has been productive at WR, displaying strong ball skills and reliable hands to win contested catches. However, defensively I think he has been even more impressive. He shows an aggressive, downhill mindset stopping the run as he flies up from the safety position with physicality. His closing speed and ability to diagnose plays quickly makes him get to the point of attack ready to make the play. He stays square to the line of scrimmage, takes good pursuit angles and brings the power with him. Elliott is a versatile player that is continuing to raise his stock.     Big. Physical. Nasty. [player_tooltip player_id='1615784' first='Christopher' last='Brownlee'] embodies everything you want in a power back and linebacker. Offensively, he displays good vision, and a punishing brand of football that consistently bullies defenders and gets those tough yards. Defensively, he's absolutely a ton setter for Swartz Creek. Great play strength and always a violent intend. He's a force in the run game, filling gaps and leveling ball carriers, but he has gotten way more comfortable dropping back into coverage and showing off reliable hands to get the interception, or delivering thundering hits over the middle to separate receiver from ball. Last year what I saw from him was a great run stuffer between the tackles, but he has been able to really elevate his game this season, setting the edge, refusing to let ball carriers turn the corner and showing off his ability in pass coverage as well. Back in February in a different article, I projected Brownlee as a breakout LB candidate, and so far he is absolutely proving me correct so far.     After finally seeing Jackson a few weeks ago in person, I came away really impressed. His physicality and technique absolutely stood out, even among a really solid defensive front for St. Johns. He plays with a strong lower half, allowing him to control his gap and remain a constant run stopping force. He keeps his pad level low and keeps himself in leverage to win reps against some solid offensive line play. He understands how to use his hands and disengage with linemen, using chop or swim moves, then hitting them with a burst to get them out of position and get him into the backfield. His highlight tape over the first few weeks backed up my in person evaluation. A well rounded defensive lineman who is able to generate pressure up the middle in passing downs, while controlling the interior run gaps with ease. I'm really looking forward to what Armstrong and his St. Johns team can accomplish the rest of the season!

Offense tends to get a lot of the glory, but defense wins games and championships. Below are some of the best defensive performers so far this season that are helping their squads and boosting their own personal stock!