Front Seven Defensive Prospects With Strong Early Season Tape

We continue our look at mid-season film with some defensive prospects that are making noise in the front seven.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1224224' first='Gavin' last='Neil'] (Marian Catholic – 2026)   This 6'3” defensive lineman from Marian Catholic is a three technique that can really get up field.  Loves the up and over move as a pass rusher.  Consistently lives in the backfield.  One of the better interior pass rushers we have seen this season.  His quickness off the ball is incredibly impressive.  Great use of his hands.  Makes plays in the backfield for TFLs as well.  Committed to Boston College.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1052814' first='Kameron' last='McGee'] (Brother Rice – 2028)   McGee is one of the truly special edge players in the state.  At 6'3” 238 pounds with an 83 inch wingspan he has everything physically you could ask for.  Big time pass rusher off the edge that can win inside or outside.  Uses his hands to quickly get the tackle off him.  Explosive attacking downhill in the run game as well.  Beats blockers to their spot consistently with his speed.  He attacks down the line of scrimmage and takes straight line angles in the run game.  Even when the ball gets past him he has the speed and motor to make the tackle.  Absolute FREAK!   DL Ohimai Ozolua (Romeoville – 2027)   The 6'5” 255 defensive lineman is seeing his stock rise including landing an Iowa offer recently.  Good bend rushing the passer and brings a ton of juice off the snap.  Gets up field and after the quarterback.  Plays physical against the run.      DL [player_tooltip player_id='1409250' first='Kendrick' last='Crite'] (Kankakee – 2029)   This 6'3” 220 pound freshman is definitely one to keep an eye on.  He is an edge player that can stand up rushing the passer.  Burst off the snap.  Long arms and does a nice job of using his hands to get off blocks.  Good against the run getting down the line.  Projectable frame with a good motor.    DL [player_tooltip player_id='1540122' first='Troy' last='Culbertson'] (Andrew – 2026)   This defensive end has good strength and plays with a high motor.  Very active hands getting off blocks.  Defends well against the run getting down the line.  Solid pass rusher with a nice combination of speed and power.  Mixes up the moves as well.   DL Zehki Mcculler (Cahokia – 2027)   This 5'11” defensive tackle in the metro east has 25 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.  Combination of quickness and strength on the interior.  Pushes the center back getting penetration into the backfield disrupting everything along with making tackles.  Very good run defender that gets off blocks and brings down the back.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='801886' first='Travis' last='Dudycha'] (Huntley – 2026)   At 6'4” 225 pounds this edge player has good strength, smarts, and instincts.  Gets down the line for stops in the run game.  Takes on the block and can get off it to make tackle in run.  As a pass rusher he shows some flashes with his burst off the edge.   LB David Khamoo (Niles West – 2026)   This senior 5'11” outside linebacker has racked up 32 tackles, 1 sack, 1 PBU, 1 safety, and 9 TFLs through the early part of the season.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1334149' first='Drake' last='May'] (Macomb – 2027)   One of the most productive linebackers in the junior class has 20 tackles and 1 TFL so far this season.  Through five games he also has 201 rushing yards and 2 scores.   LB Caden Considine (Byron – 2026)   Considine defensively has been a standout with 24 tackles including 6 TFLs in the first four games.  Offensively he also has 18 carries for 326 yards and 10 touchdowns.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='840005' first='Axel' last='Boecker'] (Wheaton Warrenville South – 20260   Boecker has been a beast defensively racking up 57 tackles in five weeks along with 2 FLs, 2 QB hurries, and 1 sack.   LB Taylor Atkins (Kenwood - 2026)   Gets after the quarterback on blitzes and closes the ground quickly.  Fills in the holes in the run game.  Runs down back in screen action.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1328984' first='Austin' last='Collins'] (Lincoln Way West – 2027)   Collins is a middle linebacker who takes excellent angles to the ball.  He identifies the play and pursues the ball.  Physical tackler.  Contributes on special teams units.   LB Bryce Cloudt (Lexington – 2026)   The 5'10” linebacker is posting big numbers with 40 tackles and 3 PBUs leading a defense that has only given up 20 points in four games.   LB Will Mettee (Loyola – 2027)   Like what Mette brings in coverage over the middle along with his all out intensity!  Runs super hard in a straight line to the ball taking excellent angles to the ball carrier.  The middle linebacker plays with good technique and speed.  Hits very hard and has range.   LB Kameron Love (Kenwood – 2026)   Linebacker that can play on the second level or come off the edge.  He attacks the ball with speed and is a good pass rusher that applies pressure and gets sacks.  Reads well against the run identifying where the back is and making the tackle.  Impact player getting in the backfield.  Good instincts!   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1344909' first='Noah' last='Swaw'] (Tinley Park – 2027)   The south suburbs linebacker is having a big junior season.  Good size and length making plays coming off the edge.  Blows up running plays.  Pushes blockers back and gets to ball carrier or QB.  Burst off the snap when rushing the quarterback.    LB [player_tooltip player_id='1168262' first='Elliott' last='Dahlberg'] (Minooka – 2026)   The Minooka middle linebacker has been a beast so far this season racking up an insane 49 tackles in five games to go along with a touchdown.   LB Josh Meyer (Plainfield North – 2027)   This linebacker hits with force.  He is good at diagnosing where the ball is going in the run and stuffing it for short runs.

We continue our look at mid-season film with some defensive prospects that are making noise in the front seven.