Built To Hunt: Front Seven Defenders Who Finish

<p>Great defenses are built around relentless pursuit. These defenders combine athleticism, toughness, and high football IQ to consistently arrive first and finish violently around the football.</p>    <p>Russell is a high-level processor who thinks and plays fast. His read-and-react skills allow him to flow downhill and stay near the ball.</p>   <p>Physically, he has a solid blend of size and athleticism. His lateral quickness is exceptional, and he can clean up perimeter-based schemes. He also has the sideline-to-sideline range and quickness to beat blockers and ball carriers to the spot consistently. However, his competitiveness through every rep is what distinguishes him and makes him one of the better backers in the state.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DerrickRussel22/status/1985088372231069748?s=20 </div></figure>   <p></p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Bates is a burst-based hybrid defender. He has the speed, burst, and mentality to be effective in multiple alignments. Dynamic is a simple way to describe his game. He's highly explosive in space and can generate splash plays as a rusher, backer, or rover.</p>   <p><br>What's unique about Bates' game is his combination of explosive speed and quickness. It's uncanny how he can maintain velocity after the cut. Similar to a running back, he has the balance to control his explosiveness and find the ball. Though he's listed as a linebacker, Bates projects as a playmaking box safety who, with technical refinement, can be a high-level contributor.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TyrekeBates/status/2049169058629579073?s=20 </div></figure>    <p>Law is a disruptive lineman who flashes tremendous upside every time he's on the field. His frame immediately stands out. He has a solid frame, long arms, and the size to matchup anywhere on the line. Not only does he look the part, but he also has the athletic profile to generate disruption on a routine basis.</p>   <p>He consistently pressures offenses with a quick first step and generates push when generating speed to power. He also shows solid play strength to hold his own in the run game. In addition to his athletic profile, Law has a clear motor that generates splash plays and second-chance opportunities. Look for Law to build on his previous campaign and continue to be productive with his opportunities.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Cordarro_law/status/1993072827562430832?s=20 </div></figure>    <p>Wade possesses the modern athletic profile that's needed today at linebacker. With sideline-to-sideline range and the closing speed to be dynamic in space, Wade is a second-level player who can affect the game phases.  With minimal false steps, he's able to diagnose run concepts, allowing him to play even faster than his natural speed allows.</p>   <p>Though he moves with urgency, he maintains awareness of his assignment and shows strong fundamentals when tackling. When pursuing the ball, he has the speed to create angles and the twitchiness to slip blocks.  This athleticism gives him legitimate upside in man coverage. Wade is a name to keep an eye on this upcoming season and should gain traction by the end of the year.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Damianwadejr27/status/2044239643030303022?s=20 </div></figure>

Great defenses are built around relentless pursuit. These defenders combine athleticism, toughness, and high football IQ to consistently arrive first and finish violently around the football.