Film Room: Week 2 Defenders Who Caught Our Attention

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With week 2 in the books we went back to take a look at the film of several week 2 standouts on the defensive side of the ball!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Alijah Martin (Moline – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked what we saw from this 6'2” 265 pound defensive tackle.&nbsp; Quickness off the ball. With good size and strength. Sheds blocks in the run and has pass rush ability getting upfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1883430' first='Bryce' last='Baxa'] (Yorkville – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'2” 240 pound defensive tackle is one to track in the 2028 class.&nbsp; Quickness off the ball and plays with a high-motor.&nbsp; Gets off blocks and is already garnering double teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1855277' first='Kenyada' last='Lane'] (Champaign Centennial – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'10” 260 pound defensive tackle was stout in the run game against Champaign Central getting off blocks to make tackles.&nbsp; Also flashed as a pass rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1688530' first='Evyn' last='Bell'] (Evanston – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell is a defensive end that uses his hands well to get off blocks shedding them in the run game along with get up field after the QB.&nbsp; Good athlete that plays with a motor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1310366' first='Moussa' last='Mbengue'] (Moline – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mbengue is a big body up front at 6'4” who sheds blocks and uses his hands well to get off blocks stuffing in the run game.&nbsp; That included a big goal line stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1549620' first='Blake' last='Pohlman'] (Montini – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'3” freshman has a chance to be a good one down the line.&nbsp; Good strength and plays the run well.&nbsp; Gets through the trash to make the tackle.&nbsp; Plus athlete.&nbsp; Making impact already on varsity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Dajuan Hester (Neuqua Valley – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The young 6'0” 260 pound defensive tackle gets push up front.&nbsp; He can take on a double team and still get the tackle vs the run.&nbsp; Puts pressure on the QB as a pass rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1883066' first='Vance' last='Holmes'] (DePaul Prep – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Combo linebacker/safety that runs so well sideline to sideline.&nbsp; Great speed pursuing the ball.&nbsp; Sound technique and tackles low.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Kwasi Butler (Marian Catholic – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler is a slot corner that has instincts attacking the ball.&nbsp; Tackles well in space and gets off blocks to make the stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1883307' first='Duke' last='Matiyow'] (Barrington – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Instinctual corner that makes plays on the ball in the air.&nbsp; Breaks on short routes and goes after the ball in the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1358093' first='Mariano' last='Velasco'] (Oswego – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Velasco drives on ball in zone coverage which resulted in an interception for a pick 6.&nbsp; Explodes to the ball blowing up plays.&nbsp; Also is a smooth route runner on offense grabbing 4 balls for 40 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1685298' first='Jayden' last='Scott'] (Bloom – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott is a free safety/slot corner.&nbsp; Tackles well in space with sound technique.&nbsp; Has some range to game which he showcased high pointing an interception on the sideline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Jakub Maka (Lemont – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sprinted from middle of field back to sideline for an interception showing excellent instincts and ball skills.&nbsp; Reads QB's eyes.&nbsp; Physical on the perimeter.&nbsp; Makes tackles downfield.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1883428' first='Jack' last='Mackey'] (Neuqua Valley – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore has quick reaction to the ball in the air.&nbsp; Cut in front of a deep ball over the middle for an interception.&nbsp; Also proceeded to rip the ball away from a defender running the ball in the box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1743262' first='Kobe' last='Lewis'] (Ridgewood – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'9” defender jumped on a fumble for a recovery.&nbsp; Core special teams player.&nbsp; Tackles well in space on the perimeter vs receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1880398' first='Paiden' last='Buckner'] (Lane Tech – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'1” defensive back has good size.&nbsp; Jump screen pass route for pick six.&nbsp; Covers well downfield.&nbsp; Tackles on his side of the ball in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Silas Steffen (Morton – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steffen racked up a pick six, 4 tackles, and several deflections against Marian Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Andrew Hoffmann (Neuqua Valley – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoffmann is a strong bodied safety that tackles downhill as he flies to the ball.&nbsp; Flashes in coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Roderick Johnson (Phillips – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smaller defensive back that is super aggressive going after the ball knocking down passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->