The Rize: Scouting Notebook on Defensive Line, Part 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, June 27, 2026 Prep Redzone Next was back-in-action in Jackson, New Jersey, as they hosted "The Rize." A double-session prospect showcase, this event drew middle school prospects from all across the country to see how they stacked up against their national counterparts. Each prospect was personally hand-selected by middle school guru&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/AlPopsFootball">Al Pops</a>&nbsp;to compete and attend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As per usual, I attended and report to you my positional notes for the position group referenced in the title of this article. My evaluations are through the lens of a high school coach and talent evaluator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow me on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for the latest New Jersey high school football prospect news and not miss a beat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1396266"],"_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-6a4e31ad2b60c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A Jersey product crossing over into Philly to play his high school ball, Anthony Santiago made his return to a Prep Redzone event to defend his regional MVP award. The most glaringly obvious element to Santiago's game that stood out to me was his absolutely great get off. This get off allowed Santiago to threaten with speed, get offensive linemen on their heels, and often open up a two-way go for him to terrorize quarterbacks when pass rushing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1841663"],"_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-6a4e31ad2b696"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A prospect destined to play along the interior of the defensive front was Niikai Jackson. Jackson showed power and presence when competing; however, I think some good is to be had should he elongate his stance. A bit narrow and tight, I think by bringing his feet further from his hands will afford Jackson the opportunity to have more power, explosion, and balance than he already showed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1866664"],"_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-6a4e31ad2b6ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is no coincidence that Robert Champman showed one of the more advanced, skilled moves on the day. Showcasing a rare ability to bend and get low, I watched as Chapman sped rush the corner, dipped his shoulder, and got through clean and untouched. Why this comes as no surprise? Chapman is the son of a former NFLer, thus reinforcing the adage that the apple does not fall far from the tree.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1590698"],"_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-6a4e31ad2b754"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Off of the heels of a Pop Warner national championship berth, [player_tooltip player_id='1590698' first='Edward' last='Mitchell III'] is as hot of a prospect as they come. Mitchell showed that he understands leverage, often working to get his hands above his eyes and into the grill of his matchup. He was particularly good doing this with the long arm. I do, however, want to see Mitchell work block shedding move off of this long arm. With nobody able to touch him due to his extension and all opposing leverage lost, he is in prime position to be able to shed, come off free, and finish more plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2079124"],"_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-6a4e31ad2b7bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Being one of only two participates from the class of 2032 (current 6th graders going into 7th grade), Aiden Autagavaia showed that he represents for his entire graduating class. For a defensive lineman so young, Autagavaia was highly exceptional at stacking his pass rush moves and countering off of them - in fact, I might go as far to say that he was amongst the best at camp to do so. Having said that, should Autagavaia continue this trajectory, expect his stock and rankings to dramatically rise over the next three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Rize Event Coverage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/the-rize-scouting-notebook-on-defensive-line-part-1">Defensive Line, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/the-rize-scouting-notebook-on-defensive-line-part-2">Defensive Line, Part 2</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/the-rize-scouting-notebook-on-defensive-line-part-3">Defensive Line, Part 3</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/the-rize-scouting-notebook-on-offensive-line-part-1">Offensive Line, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/the-rize-scouting-notebook-on-offensive-line-part-2">Offensive Line, Part 2</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/the-rize-scouting-notebook-on-linebackers-part-1">Linebackers, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/the-rize-scouting-notebook-on-quarterbacks-part-1">Quarterbacks, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/the-rize-scouting-notebook-on-quarterbacks-part-2">Quarterbacks, Part 2</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/the-rize-scouting-notebook-on-receivers-part-1">Receivers, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/the-rize-scouting-notebook-on-receivers-part-2">Receivers, Part 2</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/the-rize-scouting-notebook-on-running-backs-part-1">Running Backs, Part 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->