2027 Breakout Defensive Line Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have our Prep Redzone Exposure Series happening on April 25th! It's a great way to get verified drills times and live evaluations from myself and fellow Prep Redzone scouts. Use my code MattTate10 at checkout for a discount.&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2207/register/exposure-series-colorado">Click here to register!</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Chris Hays","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"194","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Basalt","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e40d7a4ea3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hays measures in at 6'1 195-pounds playing TE/DE for Basalt. Hays plays varsity baseball as well. He had 85 total tackles (27 solo, 58 assisted), 10 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 18 QB pressures, 3 FF, 1FR with 7 receptions for 73 yards. Hays has good athletic ability due to his very good lateral quickness, good acceleration, speed, and balance. Good initial quickness with good hand speed to engage the OL. Hays demonstrates a quick get off with very good block shedding. Does a great job pushing the pocket create pressure on the QB. Once he gets free from the block, he'll use his good tackling to wrap up the RB or QB behind the LOS. Good bull rush to knock OL off their anchor. Keep an eye on Hays moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1855516"],"_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-69e40d7a4eb19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Knezel plays DE/OT for Trinidad including running track. Last season, he had 76 total tackles (45 solo, 31 assisted), 10 TFL, 3 sacks, 10 QB pressures, 2 FF, and 1 FR. Knezel pairs a low pad level with very good strength to consistently out leverage and out muscle his opponent. Good hand placement and hand strength. Knezel uses his swim move and bull rush to combat opposing offensive lineman. Good get off with good block shedding. He has strong tackling and doesn't let running backs to gain extra yards on him after contact. Look for him to continue to build his stock this off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1635046"],"_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-69e40d7a4ebb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Simmons-Adams measures in at 5'11 190-pounds playing DE/WR. Last season, he had 12 receptions for 176 yards, 40 total tackles (13 solo, 27 assisted), 8.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 3 QB pressures, with 1 FF. He has good athletic ability due to very good speed, jumping, good acceleration, and change of direction. Simmons-Adams is explosive bursting out of his stance. Once he gets hold of the OL, he uses his very good hand strength to throw them to the side. He has a powerful bull bush compared with a nice swim move. Relentless pursuit and doesn't stop till the play is complete. As a receiver, he demonstrates good release. He has a large catch radius. After the catch, he uses his smooth feet and elusiveness to gain yards. Simmons-Adams is like a bowling ball with a head full of steam charging down field. Exciting two-way prospect to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2142764"],"_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-69e40d7a4ec5a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith measures in at 6'3 205-pounds. He has prototypical size for an off-ball / edge rushing linebacker. Last season, he had 58 total tackles, 8 TFL, 6 sacks, 4 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble. He has good athletic ability due to his very good balance, good speed, lateral quickness, and acceleration. Smith demonstrates good read and reaction speed. He has good sideline to sideline range. Does a good job stuffing gaps at the line of scrimmage. When he's lined up on the edge, he shows his good bend. Good get off and block shedding. Disengages with his blocker and uses his relentless pursuit to chase down the QB. Smith puts his arms up to create pass deflections. Good tackler too. I'm excited to see how he does this camp season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->