Staunch Defensive Efforts of Week 5

We did a deep dive into the defensive stats from Week 5 and found several athletes who not only put together great performances, but some of the best weekly performances we have seen in all of the 2025 season. We have something for everyone. High tackle numbers, backfield disruption, QB pressure and sacks, and big plays in coverage. This week's recap is also a heavy focus on uncommitted seniors, so coaches make sure you really take the time to check out those athletes and get the rest on your boards for further scouting. This is going to be a fun one to watch and break down, so let's get into it!    Stats: 14 Tackles   We start off with a senior LB who put together a show in Week 5! CJ more than doubled his total tackles on the season with this performance after spending time playing QB to help his team. Now back at LB, CJ is thriving. The 6'1" 205 lbs senior plays primarily ILB and proved to be very stout vs the inside run. CJ is a sure tackler who quickly ends plays. He also does really well staying clean on the inside, whether it be with subtle lateral movement or showing off his strength to battle over the top of an OL to get into the gap to make the stop. The senior also plays some RB, so make sure to take a look at his tape for a good look at the versatile athlete.      Stats: 7.5 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 3 TFLs   Daylon is one of the top defenders in the Class of 2026, and one of the very best uncommitted athletes in the Class. Week 5 bolstered those claims as he was living in the backfield with 3 sacks and 3 TFLs. I love the tape as much as I love the stat line. It shows off the variety of ways that Daylon wins. The senior makes plays with his high effort and motor in pursuit. That showed up on play 1. The big man also showed off some effective short area agility to get around OL looking to kick him out on the edge. Also effective was his hand use. Both strong and always working, Ward was able to keep hands off of himself while maintaining space to then burst past the OL. Against a pass heavy offense, Daylon was able to consistently collapse the pocket and effect plays.      Stats: 3.5 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU   Menomonee Falls was able to secure an impressive win in Week 5, and in the process we saw several impressive performances on offense and defense. The athlete we are focusing on here is an up and coming DB talent. Kaleb did really well in coverage. He was able to read and react to the QB, and close quickly to break up the catch. His INT came on a great high point with the receiver right there battling for it. Kaleb is able to so quickly transition out of his backpedal and accelerate with little wasted movement. Kaleb also impressed me with how aggressive he was as a tackler and run supporter from the outside. He used that same speed to attack RBs and make tackles. The long, lean CB is developing well and contributing in key ways. I'm excited to watch him over the next year.      Stats: 8.5 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 2.5 TFLs   There is a legitimate DE/TE talent dominating at Johnson Creek. Evan Malueg looks the part of a college athlete with his 6'4" 215 lbs frame. A frame that has plenty of tape showing him whoop opponents on defense with his length, power, and some quickness. Evan is able to generate power off the snap that he uses to quickly either get the OT off balance and/or get their hands down. At the same time we see the nimble footwork to move laterally while engaged so that he only has to beat half a man on his way into the backfield. His ability to set the edge against the small schools he faces looks unfair on tape as he can quickly toss the OT aside or shrug them off to make the tackle. The impressive senior also turned two catches into two touchdowns in Week 5. Don't overlook this kid!      Stats: 9.5 Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 3.5 TFLs   Trey had one of the most disruptive weeks as a pass rusher that we have seen in 2025 during their game against Hortonville. Trey's best football is ahead of him, but the raw talent and tools on his tape should have coaches very excited. He has a very long frame with a ton of room to continue to fill out his frame. The senior wins with an explosive first step and very active hands. I love the body control he shows while rushing the passer as well. It allows him to quickly change direction and counter off initial moves. OLB/Edge position coaches need to take a look at this kid.      Stats: 3.5 Tackles, 4 PBUs, 1 INT   Taeden is new to my radar, but this performance in Week 5 quickly launched him onto it. Now we are here to make sure others know about him as well. The junior dominated in zone coverage showing off a high level of awareness and play recognition. Over and over we see him see plays develop and instantly go make a play before they finish unfolding. I also was really impressed with awareness of who was in his zone while still watching the QB, then closing quickly when the ball was on the way. Taeden did a great job playing the ball in the air too. I'm quickly becoming a big fan of the mental and physical tools he brings to the CB position. Definitely keep an eye on him. I know I will be.      Stats: 11.5 Tackles, 1 TFL   In his first game back from MCL surgery, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1220673' first='Aydon' last='Fickell'] put on a show. In his Week 5 tape we see the range to go across the formation as well as the quickness to knife through traffic and make tackles against the inside run game. The knee operation clearly hasn't cost him any mobility. The senior really makes sure the ball carrier feels him too as he lowers his shoulder and runs through the hit. It was also great to see how well he got through traffic while avoiding blocks. Not an easy task, especially for a kid listed at 6'4" 235 lbs. Aydon is one of the top LBs that is uncommitted in the Class of 2026.      Stats: 5.5 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 2 TFLs   An underclassman who has been on our radar for about a year already that is putting together a strong sophomore season is [player_tooltip player_id='1628012' first='Damarion' last='Moreno']. Kenosha Bradford is having great success overall and in part it is from younger athletes stepping up where needed. Damarion plays the game at 100 MPH. Coaches love to see that, and they will also love to see the way he plays just as fast through his tackles. The kid has outstanding closing speed and range to his game. It has allowed him to fly around the front seven, off the edge, or play in coverage and be effective at all of it. We are already seeing him line up all over the field too. Athleticism, physicality, and versatility are all coming together really well. Keep an eye on the underclassman over the coming years.      Stats: 8.5 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 3 TFLs   Reid is putting together a really productive and impactful final season for New London. The senior really impressed me early in his tape with his ability to set the edge vs the run. We see him battle OTs to stay outside and contain, and we also see an example of him taking on pulling guards, attacking their inside shoulder, and making the TFL himself. Reid also made multiple flashes plays that showed off the range to chase down plays after getting into the backfield with that raw power of his. Give the under the radar senior a look.

We did a deep dive into the defensive stats from Week 5 and found several athletes who not only put together great performances, but some of the best weekly performances we have seen in all of the 2025 season. We have something for everyone. High tackle numbers, backfield disruption, QB pressure and sacks, and big plays in coverage. This week's recap is also a heavy focus on uncommitted seniors, so coaches make sure you really take the time to check out those athletes and get the rest on your boards for further scouting. This is going to be a fun one to watch and break down, so let's get into it!