Exploding Off the Line: NY Exposure Top Performing DLs

Out of all of the position groups at the NY Exposure Series, the defensive linemen may have been the most talented across the board. There were very few flaws in their game, and there were studs from inside out. Throughout the day the coaches put these players through a battery of tests and drills, and they each rose to the occasion and delivered. Here were the defensive linemen that left a lasting impression from this past Saturday in Warwick, NY.    D'Angelo Dixon put together one of the stronger performances among defensive linemen throughout the event, earning him a spot on my 1st Team All-Camp list. He consistently came off the ball with urgency and low pad level, forcing offensive linemen to react immediately. Whether lined up inside or working off the edge, D'Angelo showed the ability to turn the corner effectively to generate pressure. His hand usage was especially impressive, as he repeatedly knocked blockers off balance with forceful swipes and heavy hands that prevented linemen from locking onto him cleanly. Between his effort and physical tools, Dixon showed the traits of a disruptive defender with significant upside.     A member of my 2nd Team All-Camp team, [player_tooltip player_id='2177664' first='Logan' last='Murtlow'] put together a strong showing as one of the more reliable interior defensive linemen at the event. He played with excellent strength at the point of attack, refusing to give up ground in the trenches. Logan's ability to lock out offensive linemen and control space with his hands allowed him to stay active and disruptive throughout live reps. He also flashed a bull rush that drove interior blockers backward into the pocket, giving us a glimpse of the pressure he can create in the backfield and how much he can throw off the timing of a play.     [player_tooltip player_id='2103330' first='Brody' last='Minshell'] stood out with how surprisingly quick and explosive he was for his size at the NY Exposure Series. He consistently showed active hands at the line of scrimmage, tossing blockers' hands away and preventing offensive linemen from getting clean leverage on him. Once engaged, he did a great job shedding blockers on his way into the backfield, flashing the combination of power and quickness that will make him a problem for offensive units in the fall.     A versatile defender upfront, [player_tooltip player_id='2205574' first='Joshua' last='Feldicsko'] can line up anywhere across the defensive line and find success. A big bodied defender with strong hands and power at the point of attack, Joshua excelled at using his bull rush to collapse space and get into the backfield. He did an excellent job keeping offensive linemen off his frame, extending blockers away from his body and controlling engagements with leverage. When the season rolls around, Joshua will be tying runners up in the hole, as he showed an excellent ability to shed blockers quickly and give himself a clear path to the ball carrier.     Daniel came into the camp viewed primarily as a tight end prospect, but it didn't take long for him to make noise after working in with the edge rushers. Another All-Camp member, Daniel's powerful build and strong base immediately translated well to the defensive side, where he flashed the ability to play with force. He consistently pressured blockers with an aggressive approach and active feet, showing a natural feel for attacking off the edge despite limited exposure at the position. The combination of grittiness and burst makes Daniel a name worth knowing as we head into the preseason.     [player_tooltip player_id='1367149' first='Quadir' last='Truluck'] delivered one of the top all-around performances among defensive linemen during Saturday's action in New York. During the live work against the O linemen, he applied pressure with an explosive first step that consistently forced offensive tackles into recovery mode. He showed advanced pass rushing traits throughout the event, using his bend and flexibility to stay low off the edge. Quadir also did an impressive job using leverage and shoulder dip techniques to work past blockers, pairing his speed with physicality and effort on every rep.

Out of all of the position groups at the NY Exposure Series, the defensive linemen may have been the most talented across the board. There were very few flaws in their game, and there were studs from inside out. Throughout the day the coaches put these players through a battery of tests and drills, and they each rose to the occasion and delivered. Here were the defensive linemen that left a lasting impression from this past Saturday in Warwick, NY.