PRZ-NE Stock-Up Showcase DL- Edge MVP - Top Performers

The Prep Redzone New England Stock-Up Showcase took place on February 7, 2026, in Connecticut. The event featured many talented athletes. These athletes participated in athletic combine drills. They competed at an elevated skill level. Coaches and PRZ scouts present at the event worked together. They selected one MVP. They also chose four top performers for each position group once the event concluded. In this report, I will highlight the Defensive Line - Edge players who received MVP and Top Performer recognition. I will detail the standout skills each player demonstrated during the competition.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/040A0275.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2124333" /></figure>    Richardson is a player with explosive athleticism and a high motor, making him a disruptive presence in the backfield. His fast feet stand out immediately. He is quick off the snap and closes gaps rapidly. He changes direction with agility uncommon for his size. This allows him to penetrate the line effectively, often beating blockers to the point of attack. Complementing this is his strong hands, which he uses to control engagements and shed blocks.   Richardson doesn't rely on raw power alone. He employs a mix of moves, including swims, rips, and bull rushes, to vary his approach. This keeps offensive linemen off-balance and helps him consistently win reps. In this event, he dominated. He won the majority of reps against quality opposition. This speaks to his consistency and competitive edge. His combine performance was equally impressive—he was a standout in all drills and earned MVP honors, underscoring his athletic upside. At 6'2" and 280 lbs, he has the frame to add good weight without losing speed. He projects as a versatile DL who could play 3-tech in a 4-3 scheme. He could even slide outside in odd fronts. Overall, his talent was on display impressing coaches and scouts all day.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/MG_0467-crop-3648x2396-1770946357.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2127285" /></figure>     Pacheco's showcase performance was dominant, earning him a spot as one of the Top 5 performers overall. His explosive quick first step stands out immediately. This allows him to penetrate gaps quickly and disrupt plays in the backfield before they develop. His hand usage is particularly violent and effective; Pacheco employs heavy, powerful strikes to shed blockers, combining swim moves, rip techniques, and bull rushes in a varied arsenal that keeps offensive linemen off-balance. This mix of moves was evident in 1-on-1 drills, where he won the majority of his reps against quality competition.   Based on the showcase evaluation, no glaring weaknesses were apparent in Pacheco's game—his youth and raw upside make him a clean prospect at this stage. That said, as with many underclassmen, he could occasionally over-rely on his athleticism rather than refined technique in sustained reps, potentially leading to balance issues against more polished offensive linemen in live game scenarios. Film from the event showed moments where he could improve pad level consistency to maintain leverage, especially when transitioning from pass rush to run defense. These are minor nitpicks typical for a sophomore and not red flags, but areas to monitor as he accumulates more experience.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/jaxon.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-2124340" /></figure>     Gootnick's performance was dominant across the board, showcasing a blend of athleticism, technique, and competitive fire that stood out among his peers. Gootnick plays exceptionally low, maintaining leverage throughout his rushes. His flexibility and bend around the edge were impressive, allowing him to dip under tackles and turn the corner effectively. This low center of gravity makes him tough to redirect or knock off balance. As a pure speed rusher, he's at his best on the edge, exploding off the line with a lightning-quick first step that consistently beat offensive linemen to the spot. His burst was evident in both 1-on-1 drills and combine testing, where he separated himself as one of the top performers. Despite his frame, Gootnick demonstrated functional strength to hold up against bigger blockers. He wasn't overwhelmed in bull-rush scenarios and showed the ability to stack and shed, using his hands actively to disengage.   Gootnick's field vision is a standout trait—he reads plays well, anticipates blocking schemes, and adjusts on the fly. This awareness contributed to him winning the majority of his reps in competitive drills. He displayed a solid mix of moves, including speed-to-power conversions, inside counters, and arm-over techniques. This versatility kept blockers guessing and led to consistent pressure. Gootnick was a standout in the combine portion, excelling in agility drills, and carried that momentum into competition, where he dominated reps. His Top 5 Performer nod underscores his elite showing in a talent-rich environment.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/aiden-gootnick.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-2124372" /></figure>     Clarck is very strong with a wide base that allows him to anchor effectively against the run. He uses leverage exceptionally well, getting under pads and driving blockers backward. This was evident in reps where he held his ground against larger offensive linemen, showing he's strong enough to handle bigger blockers without being overwhelmed.   Charlotin can play on the interior or edge, making him a flexible piece for defensive schemes. He's particularly effective as an interior rusher, where his power and speed shine in collapsing pockets. His quick first step explodes off the line, often putting him in the backfield before blockers can react. He demonstrated a good bend around the edge, paired with a solid mix of moves (rips, swims, and bull rushes) to shed blockers. His vision is a key asset—he reads plays quickly, anticipates gaps, and adjusts on the fly. This led to him winning the majority of his competitive reps, consistently generating pressure. Power and speed are good for his size, allowing him to pursue plays sideline-to-sideline. In a showcase setting, he looked explosive and relentless.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/MG_0472.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-2124391" /></figure>     Reese's game is built on physicality and athleticism, making him a natural fit for schemes that emphasize edge pressure and run defense. His has several standout traits. Reese plays with a relentless edge, bringing violence and intensity to every rep. He's strong enough to hold his own against bigger blockers, using excellent leverage to maintain positioning and disrupt plays. This was evident in his ability to stack and shed, rarely getting washed out even against heavier offensive linemen. He's particularly effective on the edge, where he thrives in open space. Reese demonstrated good bend around the corner, combining it with violent hands and impressive speed to create separation. His quick first step allows him to explode off the line, often putting blockers on their heels immediately.   Reese shows advanced instincts for his age, using good vision to read plays and react accordingly. He employs a diverse mix of moves—rips, swims, and spins—to beat blockers, avoiding predictability. This versatility helped him win the majority of his competitive reps, showcasing his ability to adapt mid-rep.   Overall, these attributes position Reese as a high-upside prospect that can thrive, especially in 3-4 or hybrid defenses that value twitchy edge rushers. Additionally, while his hand violence is a plus, refining placement could prevent occasional overextensions that savvy blockers might exploit.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/MG_0473.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-2124392" /></figure>

The Prep Redzone New England Stock-Up Showcase took place on February 7, 2026, in Connecticut. The event featured many talented athletes. These athletes participated in athletic combine drills. They competed at an elevated skill level. Coaches and PRZ scouts present at the event worked together. They selected one MVP. They also chose four top performers for each position group once the event concluded. In this report, I will highlight the Defensive Line - Edge players who received MVP and Top Performer recognition. I will detail the standout skills each player demonstrated during the competition.