Front 7 Forces: 6 WPIAL Defenders Ready for Big Seasons

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["619264"],"_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-6a87b0c2a2a14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='619264' first='Brennan' last='Kostyak'] is an impressive edge defender. He has good size (6'2"), athleticism, and strength. As a pass rusher, he has some of the best film I have seen this year. He gets off the ball quickly and is so explosive. Offensive tackles struggle to stay in front of him. He also has good closing speed, and when he sees an opening in the backfield, he is explosive enough to make plays. He also shows a good ability against the run. Kostyak is a difference-making edge defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2250258"],"_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-6a87b0c2a2abd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2250258' first='Dkota' last='Harris'] is a one-man wrecking crew as a lineman on both sides of the ball. As a defensive tackle, he is impossible to block. He had 60 tackles, which is a ton for a defensive tackle. That shows how much he gets into the backfield. The offense's best chance at blocking him is double-teaming him. Even that they can struggle with. On offense, he is a good offensive lineman. He fires off the ball well, and he dominates defenders. He is especially good against defensive tackles on down blocks. Harris is a good two-way lineman in the 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WPIAL CHAMPIONSHIP and STATE SEMIS 6'2 300 pound OL DL 60 tackles 2 sacks (only started 4 games due to senior orientation team) <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/protecttheQB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#protecttheQB</a> <a href="https://x.com/Bears4LyfeDC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bears4LyfeDC</a> <a href="https://x.com/bears_hc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bears_hc</a> <a href="https://t.co/jkJ3KpTuVR">pic.twitter.com/jkJ3KpTuVR</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2250258' first='Dkota' last='Harris'] (@HarrisDkota) <a href="https://x.com/HarrisDkota/status/1994991213192073394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["952750"],"_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-6a87b0c2a2bd7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='952750' first='Landyn' last='Stikkel'] is an outstanding linebacker prospect. His ability to make plays all over the field is impressive. He is excellent at seeing the ball and then coming upfield to make tackles. He looks like he is shot out of a cannon the way he makes tackles in the open field. He also plays well in space. He also has excellent fundamentals. He reads his keys to make plays. He is equally good at playing in coverage against the pass. Then, on offense, he is a playmaker. He played tight end as a blocker and as a receiver. He catches the ball well in the open field. He also ran the ball well. Stikkel is a highly talented player in the 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='952750' first='Landyn' last='Stikkel'] <br>C/O 2027 6'0 210 <br>84 Total Tackles <br>270 All purpose yards 7 Total td<br>LB/H<a href="https://t.co/h3pMYGevLM">https://t.co/h3pMYGevLM</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='952750' first='Landyn' last='Stikkel'] (@LandynStikkel) <a href="https://x.com/LandynStikkel/status/1987984738389520571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["916222"],"_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-6a87b0c2a2c2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='916222' first='Xavier' last='Smith'] is a good defensive prospect in the 2027 class. He has good size (6'1") and athleticism. Playing as an edge and outside linebacker, he was outstanding last season. As an edge, he fires off the ball well. He uses his athleticism to give offensive tackles fits. He then uses his hands well to engage with offensive tackles. He has a good motor. He is constantly chasing plays all over the field. Then, as a linebacker, he shows a good ability to make plays in the open field. Smith is a good player. He is lined up for a big Senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season Film 🎥 ‼️<br>Hempfield Area High School<br>C/O 2027 | LB<br><br>Full Film Link👇<a href="https://t.co/85F1iitjP4">https://t.co/85F1iitjP4</a><br><br>Film Snippet 👇 <a href="https://t.co/fPzVnPxDUr">pic.twitter.com/fPzVnPxDUr</a></p>&mdash; Xavier “X” Smith (@xavierJsmith_) <a href="https://x.com/xavierJsmith_/status/1995898129669931192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1181783"],"_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-6a87b0c2a2c7b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1181783' first='Christian' last='Harris'] is a lightning-quick edge defender. He gets off the ball quickly to make plays. He can make so many plays because of his athleticism. His ability to use his strength is also impressive. He keeps control against the offensive line by using that strength. He also shows a motor that never quits. He had 6 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. That's because of his athleticism and his motor. Harris is a big-time edge defender. His athleticism and strength are impressive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Full JUNIOR Season Highlights!<br>-Team Captain <br>-First Team All Conference <br>-84 TOT , 6 Sacks ,15 TFL's<br>🎥 : <a href="https://t.co/2W8panrdgl">https://t.co/2W8panrdgl</a><a href="https://x.com/NHIndiansFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHIndiansFB</a> <a href="https://x.com/Mr_LTroke?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mr_LTroke</a> <a href="https://x.com/WPIAL_Insider?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WPIAL_Insider</a> <a href="https://x.com/wpialsportsnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wpialsportsnews</a> <a href="https://x.com/AthleticTraumaU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AthleticTraumaU</a> <a href="https://x.com/DArealCoachBill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DArealCoachBill</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachirishodea?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachirishodea</a> <a href="https://x.com/headdogpound?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@headdogpound</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachkeithclark?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachkeithclark</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1181783' first='Christian' last='Harris'] (@CjHarris_27) <a href="https://x.com/CjHarris_27/status/1989487989995589693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1180771"],"_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-6a87b0c2a2ccd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1180771' first='Jameson' last='Garvin'] is an awesome linebacker prospect. He has the size (6'1") and athleticism to make plays all over the field. He is a true sideline-to-sideline player. He makes plays all over the field. He is also a good tackler, especially in the open field. He rarely misses tackles in the open field. He also had 19 tackles for the loss. He made many tackles in the offensive backfield. Garvin is a good athlete who can do it all on the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Honored to be named team captain for this upcoming season! <a href="https://t.co/wAR1eoZa09">https://t.co/wAR1eoZa09</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1180771' first='Jameson' last='Garvin'](‘27 LB/ATH) (@Jameson_Garvin) <a href="https://x.com/Jameson_Garvin/status/2088704040888619107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->