Opening Week Defenders Who Caught Our Eye on Film

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em><br><br>Defenders were making impactful plays all across the state!&nbsp; Here are a few we were able to see on film from week 1!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1115779' first='John' last='Breton'] (Hinsdale Central – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more under recruited 2027 edge players in the class is Breton.&nbsp; The burst around the edge and relentless motor were on full display.&nbsp; He can really run and bend on his way to the QB for sacks and TFLs.&nbsp; Powerful with his hands.&nbsp; Huge fan of what he can become after a couple years in a college weight program!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1549620' first='Blake' last='Pohlman'] (Montini – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top sophomore in the state is a big and physical defensive end that plays the run well getting off blocks and making the play through traffic.&nbsp; The physical tools are so intriguing!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='2145777' first='Arione' last='Edwards'] (Brother Rice – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwards is playing JV but make no mistake he is one of the premier sophomores in the state.&nbsp; Powerful hands in the run game getting off blocks.&nbsp; Batted a pass down at the line of scrimmage.&nbsp; Put a big hit on the QB and stuffed in the run from his defensive tackle spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Bryce Baxa (Yorkville Christian – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baxa is a run stuffing defensive lineman that also opened holes in the run game &nbsp;as&nbsp; lead blocker.&nbsp; Played quite a bit on the edge where he showed quality pass rush moves getting after the QB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='2140235' first='Omari' last='Hogan'] (East St. Louis – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hogan was a major contributor in the Flyers win in matchup of #1 vs #2 over Mt. Carmel.&nbsp; His speed to the ball and instincts reading what is in front of him while wrapping up the ball carrier is impressive.&nbsp; Good patience and burst to the ball carrier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='287360' first='Graham' last='Burt'] (Geneva – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Geneva 6'0” linebacker was effective in coverage along with pursuing the ball running down the QB multiple times.&nbsp; Good movement skills shuffling either way breaking down opponents in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Brock Rubicz (Lake Zurich – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The linebacker quickly diagnoses plays getting through traffic to make the play.&nbsp; His ability to run sideline to side line to make plays will be valued at the next level.&nbsp; Sound tackler that also flashed covering in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Quintin Bulley (Shepard – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior corner is effective playing in both man and zone.&nbsp; Made multiple plays driving hard on the ball to break up passes in week 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Chet Morris (Aurora Christian – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'0” corner drives hard on the ball to make tackles.&nbsp; Physical corner that gets up into his man right from the snap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1941205' first='Ryan' last='Kennedy'] (Bremen – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive back that flies to the ball taking quality angles from his safety spot.&nbsp; Wraps up well and can run sideline to sideline making the play.&nbsp; He takes a direct line approach to the ball carrier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Chase Williams (Hoffman Estates – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breaks well on the ball driving to break up the pass along with make the tackle if they did bring it in.&nbsp; Fluid athlete that has some projection at corner for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1880398' first='Paiden' last='Buckner'] (Lane Tech – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior defensive back for Lane Tech is a corner that has nice length and good athleticism.&nbsp; Makes plays in zone as a boundary corner batting down passes in the air.&nbsp; Shields the receiver from making catch and uses the sideline as his friend.&nbsp; Smooth back pedal with not lot of wasted movement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->