Why These 2029 Defensive Linemen Will Be Successful

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 2029 class of defensive linemen has a wide variety of players. Strength and powerful gap fillers to athletic and speedy edge rushers with deep bags of moves, each one of these guys bring something different to the table! Today we'll be focusing on something unique that allows these guys to have a big impact on their teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1707522"],"_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-6a654012401d7"} --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gym Rat</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Merrick is one of those guys that you always know right where he is. If he has a spare moment, he's throwing weight and continuing to build his body. This has allowed him to be one of the most physical players I have seen in this 2029 class. I have never seen him be legitimately beaten strength vs. strength. He has the right mentality and has continued to push himself and evolve his body. I have no doubt he will be successful just because of that kind of work ethic and the flat-out addiction to getting stronger. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687604"],"_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-6a65401240258"} --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cerebral</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's one thing to be big, fast and strong (which Ike is all of those) but it's another thing to understand the game within the game. He has a deep bag of tools, and he completely knows when and where to use them. He knows how to set up the speed-to-power moves, he knows how to figure out a tackles weakness quickly and has the ability to exploit it until he can be stopped. I absolutely love Ike's game and the way he has become a complete student of the game. This is a "Saturday Guy" in the making, and I think this fall he will show his full array of skill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1585688"],"_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-6a654012402ad"} --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Discipline</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One word that pops in my mind when I watch Oscar's film is discipline. He doesn't leave his assignment, he doesn't get too far up field and he makes the plays that come his way. He is still aggressive and loves to play spoiler and grab TFLs, but not at the risk of leaving voids in the defense and getting out of position. He is a heads up kid that sees how offenses are attacking, and understands his purpose on how to stop it. It's an extraordinary talent to stay as disciplined as he does play in and play out, but that is a great trait this early in his career! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1629380"],"_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-6a654012402f3"} --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gap Control </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Halston is a big body with broad shoulders and a strong lower half, which allows the Napoleon native to completely control the inside and shut it right down. He stays low and fights through blocks well. He sees plays coming his way and is able to shed blocks and make the plays that come to him. It's a defenses best friend to have a guy that can line up over the ball and completely shut down the run game between the guards, and that is Halston's specialty! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->