Stock Up Michigan: Defensive Linemen Who Shined

Yesterday I talked about the offensive line and today I'll be talking about their defensive counterparts. The defensive line had some players shine both on the interior and the outside. They had their work cut out for them facing a strong offensive line group, but I thought they definitely showed some things. So, let's go ahead and take a look at who caught my eye during the showcase.    Malik was the Camp MVP of the defensive line. He was far and away the best defensive lineman on the day. He projects to a stand-up linebacker or wide 9 defensive end. He had the most extensive bag of pass rush tools, but everything works off of his get-off and speed rush. His ability to get off and win the edge was a really tough matchup. He had nice spin and dip counters to win inside if the offensive tackle overset. If Malik can continue to add good weight and get stronger, he'll add another dimension to his game and up his ability to set the edge in the run game versus bigger stronger offensive tackles.     I thought Volpe had the best day of the interior linemen. He combo of size and athleticism created problems for the opposing linemen. His ability to dip and shoot the gap got him some wins. He also showed the ability to push the pocket with power. Dylan has a great start with his combo of size and athleticism. Where his game is going to go to a whole new level is with his hand work. If he can work on his hand fighting and getting more violent hands, he's going to unlock a whole new level of problems he can present to opposing blockers by stringing moves together.     Phillips passes the eye test. Measuring in at 6'2 230 pounds, Phillips has a great frame to build on. He has a nice get-off and power rush. Where I think Phillips can grow the most is in his ability to bend and use his athleticism to win the edge. I thought he gave up on the edge way to quickly and that made it a lot easier on the blockers to anchor and take away his power. I think the flexibility and ability to bend is in there and if he can tap into that, his game is going to skyrocket.     I really liked Arini's game. He's a technician. He always had a plan of attack going into his 1v1 reps. His blend of get-off, hand fighting, and bend made him a tough block. He was easily top 2 at the event in his ability to string together moves. That's huge at the college level, because you can't be a one trick pony at the college level and be successful unless you're elite at that move. Arini just needs to continue to add good weight and get stronger and I'm excited to see what his future holds.     Allen might have had the best power rush of those in attendance. He possesses a strong lower and upper body strength that can knock opposing offensive linemen off their anchor. It was impressive. Setting the edge for him will never be an issue. To go with the power, he is explosive off the snap. Watching him in the drills, he does have violent hands. He tends to go right into long arming and going to the power way too much. If he can continue to work on and trust his hands more, he's going to diversify his moves and make himself a much more formidable pass rusher.     Young displayed good bend and athleticism. He has active hands and shows the ability to dip and bend to shoot the gap. Young just needs to continue to add good weight and get stronger. It will help his ability to string together his moves and anchor in the run game versus bigger and stronger offensive linemen.     Gavin was one of the better testers of the group. He possesses good explosiveness which was on display on his very strong 9'3 broad jump. He had solid times in the 40-yard dash and L drill. In 1v1's he showed he can win the edge with his speed. He does some good things with his hands. I like the size and athletic profile. He has the frame to continue to add good weight. If he can just continue to get stronger, I think his game will open up for him a lot.     Hammer showed a strong get-off. He's explosive and has good lateral quickness. In 1v1's he showed the ability to dip and bend and has active hands. I like Brody's bag of pass rush tools. Where he can grow is being more decisive in how he plans to attack the blocker. He showed some hesitancy in how he wanted to attack depending on what the blocker did and that cost him both time getting to the QB and gave the blocker time to react to his moves. The talent is there, if he can tighten up the rest, he definitely has the ability to play at the next level.

Yesterday I talked about the offensive line and today I'll be talking about their defensive counterparts. The defensive line had some players shine both on the interior and the outside. They had their work cut out for them facing a strong offensive line group, but I thought they definitely showed some things. So, let's go ahead and take a look at who caught my eye during the showcase.