Midseason Sophomore Check-In: Defensive Line

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm impressed with the D-Linemen in Michigan's class of 2028. The currently ranked D-Linemen have all impressed, and I think a couple of these guys are way ahead of schedule. Here are my thoughts regarding the tape they've released so far this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1689089"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e587861f2f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I like Elam's development so far this season. Last week, there's no doubt Elem learned a ton after Brother Rice faced off against what was probably the best interior O-Line they'll ever face. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even early in his sophomore season, Elem showed promise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A ton of highlights against a great Dakota squad. Kicking off Elem's tape, he does an excellent job anchoring against the down block, and forcing his way to the running back. Textbook stuff, showing good power and IQ. At 1:03, Elem initially gets pushed back, but he's able to recover and earn the goalline stop. Finally, at 1:23. Elem perfectly counters the attempted down block, shoots the A gap, and meets the RB at the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I already see a ton of promise for Elem as a DT. He's already looking well-coached and physical. With another great offseason, Elem is surely on track to eventually play for a D1 college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23115721/68bc892cf740998158a05703' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e587861f563"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1684283"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e587861f5b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">5 weeks of highlights for Braylen on his Hudl, but no multi-week tape just yet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a solid run stop. Initially, Braylen attempts to crash inside, forcing the RB to bounce outside. Great IQ there, and absolutely something the Heritage staff schemed up for him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against Lapeer, Malone has a good pass-rush highlight and a few good hustle plays. Overall, I like where Malone is at in terms of strength and effort. I hope to see a larger sample size of varsity highlights soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22785023/68c839152a48f2dfd6d8ca10' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e587861f5dd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1609917"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e587861f623"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It looks like Calvin's game has improved this season, just as I expected. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 0:28, Calvin doesn't quite earn the sack, but he explodes out of his stance, and easily gets around the OT with a swim move. Then, at 0:39, Calvin lays a good hit on the tackle before sidestepping him and flattening the QB. Then, plays like 4:53 demonstrate great anchor and power, refusing to be moved and earning the inside stop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GREAT 6-week tape from Calvin. A long highlight tape, but a super quality highlight tape. Zero fluff here. The only thing I'd nitpick is Calvin's bend. Great getoff, great power, and consistently great effort. I'm more confident than ever that Calvin can develop into a Division 1 DT. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20729188/68e15de69175870d02ed106a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e587861f646"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688783"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e587861f68b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Earning any Varsity time at Cass Tech is an accomplishment. At one of Michigan's most storied programs, Antonie is starting to make his mark. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His first two highlights are some of his best. Against an extremely good Toledo CC offensive line, Antoine easily sheds the center's block, rushes the B gap, and earns a quick TFL. Second, great job working downhill against that same center, getting free, and earning another run stop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against Grandville, Antoine did a great job anchoring down. Even when double-teamed, Hall was able to avoid getting pushed back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Super promising tape. Already a very well-coached, strong DT. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22843167/68d1f3668a61b935346c5fb9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e587861f6ad"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688784"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e587861f6f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An immovable object in the middle of the Oak Park defense. His tape kicks off with a couple of highlights against Seaholm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First, White displays awesome power, stuning inside and stopping the attempted QB sneak. With less than a yard to gain, White did an excellent job denying the high-percentage play. At 0:13, White again stands his ground, absorbs a big hit from the guard, and wraps up the RB. A ton more highlights against Seaholm, but in short, White is an absolute brick wall with several run stops. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Same type of deal against other teams. Near-elite anchor, and consistently great effort. One of the better inside run-stopping DTs in Michigan. In order for White's game to reach a new level, he's got to become faster and more explosive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22873783/68dbfab31b4d94661f07d0b1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e587861f712"} /-->