Unrelenting Defensive Efforts From Week 4

We have a great defensive standout recap article for you all this week! It includes 9 defensive players that we have not discussed and analyzed up until this point of the season. That changes today as we turn on the Week 4 tape from their dominant performances. Several are ranked, so it is great to get this updated look at them as well as add a few new names to our list of athletes to add during our postseason update. This group of players revolves around the front seven, getting into the backfield, and hunting down the ball wherever it was on the field. So let's hit play on the tape and break things down!    Stats: 12 Tackles, 1 PBU, 1 QB Pressure   Maks was back on the field after some time away and he returned in a big way. The junior made plays rushing the QB, dropping into coverage, and playing against the run. As a run defender, Maks did a great job mirroring the movement of the RB in backfield and putting himself in position to meet them in the hole for quick stops. Maks also did well avoiding and shedding blocks while playing that inside run game. The '27 LB did well keeping his eyes in the backfield and finding the ball early in the play. Dive into the highlights of one of the better LBs in the Class of 2027.      Stats: 12 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 3 Sacks, 1 FF   The senior DL out of Oshkosh North was a menace in the trenches in Week 4. He was able to be all over the backfield thanks to his powerful surge off the line. A surge that could drive IOL off the ball. Cole uses his length and leverage in partnership to create that push. The senior is violent too. He proved he could split double teams and plays with a high motor that got him past the OL and involved in plays. Once in the open backfield, Cole has the range to fly around and make tackles. You have to love how stout Cole was at the point of initial contact too. The 2026 DL was under my radar, but it is clear he is a mismatch in the trenches that college coaches need to take a look at.      Stats: 6 Tackles, 1 TFL, 5 QB Pressures   Jack had a great night on the edge in Week 4. While undersized for the edge position, Jack has found ways to be a difference maker. A difference maker that can line up right on the edge and also flex out wider and even start as more of a nickel/slot defender. Speed is the name of the game for Jack. He is lightning quick off the line at the snap and accelerates at a high rate. That speed gives him the advantage of angles over OTs. Jack also was able to make several one on one tackles in space. I love the relentless motor and active hands when he does have to battle with OTs before he can get into the backfield. The junior is an intriguing athlete.      Stats: 7 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 Sacks, 2 FFs   If you want to see some elite production then you need to check out Northwestern's [player_tooltip player_id='1894411' first='Gage' last='Nollet']. The DE was extremely impactful thanks to his physical tools. The senior has range, a powerful first step, and was able to turn that initial burst into violent power. Gage did a great job of setting the edge against the run. He was able to stand up OTs and TEs with his initial contact and could use the space that initial strike created to then make the tackle. Gage's hand use flashed on several reps as he was able to stay clean of the OT on his way into the backfield. Gage might be undersized, but he has found ways to consistently effect games.      Stats: 7 Tackles, 1 TFL   The junior LB out of Racine Case already has a ton of varsity experience under his belt, and it has helped him develop outstanding instincts for the position. Erik is extremely quick to diagnose plays, and when he reads plays Erik reacts like he is shot out of a cannon. He closes quickly and makes sound, secure tackles in space. The ILB is talented at picking through and navigating between the tackles while playing against the inside run game. The junior is one of the top tacklers in the state this season, and it is easy to see why when you turn on the tape.      Stats: 8 Tackles, 1 TFL   The senior ILB out of Tomahawk is a thumper for his defense. When ball carriers run into him it is like hitting a wall. There is no forward progression for the RB. There are even reps of Rex doing the same thing to lead blockers and then disengaging and still making the tackle. The senior LB is looking to punish whoever he gets his hands on with the force he can so quickly create with his short area burst and overall strength. Tap into the tape of the hidden gem senior.      Stats: 7 Tackles, 1TFL, 1 Sack   I came away very impressed by the Week 4 tape of [player_tooltip player_id='1230630' first='Jayden' last='Adams']. He plays primarily on the edge and looks very comfortable holding down the edge. He used his length to maintain separation, used quick hands to defeat OTs and get the angle on them, and demonstrated some bend to get underneath OTs while on his path around the edge to get to the QB. The junior has clearly made a big jump in physicality and athleticism compared to where he was a year ago. That has me very intrigued for what he could continue to develop into at the LB position. Check him out!      Stats: 5 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 Sack   Bryce has been a force for Coleman since he was a freshman, making him one of the most productive players in all of northern WI. Bryce thrives with his disruptive play. He is a one gap DL who can win with burst to get through gaps quickly and then show off the range as he chases the ball down. The junior is also showing more and more success winning with power and splitting double teams. The junior is undersized, but he is extremely productive and is widening his array of tools for beating OL.      Stats: 8.5 Tackles, 1.5 TFLs   The Kewaunee defense, and roster as a whole, is a loaded unit. Among the group is senior DB [player_tooltip player_id='1742176' first='Trevor' last='Gauthier']. Just in Week 4 alone we see how he is utilized all over the field. We see him in 1 on 1 coverage split out far from the rest of the formation and still be able to come downhill and make tackles. The senior also plays in the box as a safety and was able to get to the ball through traffic for tackles. Trevor is a hard hitter that lowers his shoulder and runs through the ball carrier. He fits the physicality of the rest of the defense really well. Check him out.

We have a great defensive standout recap article for you all this week! It includes 9 defensive players that we have not discussed and analyzed up until this point of the season. That changes today as we turn on the Week 4 tape from their dominant performances. Several are ranked, so it is great to get this updated look at them as well as add a few new names to our list of athletes to add during our postseason update. This group of players revolves around the front seven, getting into the backfield, and hunting down the ball wherever it was on the field. So let's hit play on the tape and break things down!