SLUH vs De Smet: Impact Players On Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The saying that defense wins championships it true. It also wins each individual games as you eventually have to stop your opponent at crucial times. Here is a breakdown of top defenders in SLUH's win over De Smet last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SLUH </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1598541' first='Anthony' last='Busby'] Jr. (6'1" 215) had himself a big game after picking up an offer from Nebraska earlier in the day. Busby is a high energy defender who flies to the ball and can cover a lot of ground in the process. He's strong, physical and has good speed that he closes in and delivers a big hit with. He showed himself to be the playmaker worthy of his Cornhusker offer and Mizzou offer he landed the following day on a game day visit with his 9 tackles and sack he recorded. His play fired up his fellow defenders the entire game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jr. Bills have another D1 LB who stepped up big in 2026 (6'1" 215) Kent State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1316176' first='Kendall' last='McNutt']. He is similar in size to Busby and a strong, physical defender in his own right. McNutt is a good athlete who also is very proficient in in pass coverage along with being a thumper against the run, and helped shut down the Spartans offense in both areas with his play on the entire game. Kendall finsihed the game as SLUH's leading tackler with 11 total tackles and added a timely pick to help his team in victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up front on defense the Jr. Bills were led by senior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1706004' first='Sebastian' last='Tate'] (6'3" 266) who is committed to Indiana State. The athletic Tate provided pressure all game long in helping disrupt the offensive flow of the Spartans along with helping to control the line of scrimmage against the run. Sebastian's quickness and speed make him a tough match up for lineman. He has good strength and is just starting to come into his own as a player after showing a lot of promise the past three years. His best football is ahead of him and he continues on an upward trajectory. He finished the game with six tackles and a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DE SMET</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The number two ranked player in the PRZ 2026 class [player_tooltip player_id='1112565' first='Titan' last='Davis'] (6'5" 260) lived up to his ranking with a dominant performance in the tough loss. Titan played his heart out showcasing the skills that led him to being a highly coveted recruit and ultimate Michigan commit. He used explosive power, strength, quickness and burst to disrupt and put pressure on the SLUH offense in helping to keep things close in the first half. He did his part to the tune of 9 total tackles and a sack with numerous hurries. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of top defensive backs in the 2028 is cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='1221278' first='Kolby' last='Dotson'] (6'0" 165) who had a terrific performance in the game. Dotson is lockdown cover with good speed and hips who has impressive ball skills and quick hands. He's physical off the line and against the run too. He uses good burst to make plays with his man and to help his teammates. His 9 tackles he finished with were among the tops on the team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the surprises was 2026 LB [player_tooltip player_id='849721' first='Emmanuel' last='Scott'] (6'1" 225) who has really stepped up at the position this year and proven that he is a college prospect schools should take a good look at. I have scouted him as a running back since he was a freshman, but the move to defense has served him and his team well. Scott uses his speed and his skills he had as a RB transfer over well to the other size of the ball with his ability to read plays and change direction chasing ball carries. He has good size and is very strong and delivers a big hit on contact. Scott ended the game as the Spartans leading tackler with 12 stops overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->