Defenders Who Exploded on Week 2 Film

***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription*** Time to dive into the film room on the defensive side to take a deeper look into what we saw from week 2 of prospects across the state!   EDGE Lincoln Middlebrook (Bradley Bourbonnais – 2029)   The 6'5” edge rusher brings a great combination of power and explosiveness off the edge.  Great frame and strength.  Runs well for his size and is powerful with his hands.  Definitely and emerging name in the 2029 class.   EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='2083730' first='Jaxson' last='Hutton'] (Providence Catholic – 2029)   Hutton is among the top players regardless of position in the 2029 class.  The 6'1” 220 pound defensive lineman brings versatility being able to play inside and out.  Super explosive off the snap and gets off blocks with his hands.  Mostly playing inside right now his quickness and athleticism really shine.  Think long term he is best off the edge.   EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1854894' first='Micah' last='Lewis'] (Champaign Central – 2027)   Smooth 6'1” edge rusher that is technically sound.  Breaks down the offensive player and makes the play or does what is needed to help someone else make it.   EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='2088825' first='George' last='Kalkounos'] (Fremd – 2027)   The Butler commit is a 6'3” defensive end who is super quick off the ball and uses his hands great to evade offensive lineman.  Killer spin move along with up and unders.  Has a repertoire of pass moves in his bag and sets the tone against the run on the edge.   DL Noah Hanson (Huntley – 2027)   Interior defensive lineman that plays with good pad level and a super high motor.  Gets push up the middle forcing the QB into rushing passes.  Brick wall in the run game.   DL KJ Crite (Kankakee – 2029)   Crite is among the best defensive players in the sophomore class.  The 6'3” versatile prospect can play up and down the line.  Mostly lining up as a three technique in this game.  Effective in the run game both taking on blockers and getting off them for tackles at or near the line.  The athleticism really pops.  Think he is best as an EDGE long term unless he bulks up.    DT [player_tooltip player_id='2244784' first='Zeke' last='Langan'] (Carbondale – 2027)   The 6'1” 250 pound defensive tackle who is strong and compact.  Plays low to the ground winning the leverage battle against offensive lineman.  Runs well for his size and consistently was making plays in the backfield.  He had 6 tackles with 4 behind TFLs.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1956527' first='Romeo' last='Mccollum'] (Normal Community – 2027)   Mccollum brings athleticism on the edge as a 3-4 end for Normal.  Bats down passes, sets the edge, and uses his hands well to move offensive lineman.  Crashes down the line of scrimmage to make plays against the run.   LB Will Mette (Loyola – 2027)   Boston College commit is a monster flying to the ball.  Makes impactful plays creating turnovers with his speed and explosiveness.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='791528' first='Christian' last='Cordova'] (Mt. Carmel – 2028)   Cordova has added strength and is now playing outside linebacker.  Sound form tackler that brings his man down in space.  Sound technique and movement in space.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1150293' first='Cooper' last='Beaty'] (Plano – 2028)   The Plano 6'2” 205 pound linebacker is one of the most consistent performers in the state on the defensive side week in and week out.  On defense he racked up 8 tackles and 1 TFL in week 2.  Middle linebacker also shows off his athleticism offensively as a running back going for 100+ yards.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='2077747' first='Julian' last='Stump'] (DePaul Prep – 2028)   Stump is a 6'0” outside linebacker who had 10 tackles and a sack against Lane Tech.  Wraps up low and gets through traffic to make the tackle.  Burst rushing off the edge when getting after QB.  His recognition skills were impressive.  Sets the edge when he needs to and gets off blocks very well.   LB Chance Chesney (Burlington Central Catholic – 2028)   Instinctive linebacker who can get after the quarterback as a rusher or spy on the second level.  Moves well in space and is sound fundamentally.  Creates turnovers with his ability to separate the opponent from the ball.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='2252273' first='Mick' last='Smith'] (Morris – 2027)   Smith is a thumper at the linebacker position.  Blows up plays with his physicality and explosiveness attacking the ball carrier.  Gets off blocks well to make the play.   LB Rogan O'Neil (Kaneland – 2027)   Strong bodied and athletic linebacker who makes plays in the heart of the defense by diagnosing plays and running to the ball.  Form tackler who hits and wraps up in the hole.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='2105134' first='Bradyn' last='Hostetler'] (Waubonsie Valley – 2027)   The 6'1” senior linebacker knifes through the defense making plays in the backfield.  Instinctual in the run game along with getting pressure on the QB moving him off his spot.  Wraps up ball carriers down low.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='2227122' first='Cruz' last='Evans'] (Glenwood – 2027)   Evans is a versatile defensive back that can really run.  Can play both corner and free safety.  Went up top over the middle as a centerfielder for a pick.  Drives on the ball carrier making tackles in space with physicality.   DB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='2140284' first='Kruz' last='Jackson'] (Centralia – 2028)   Jackson is a versatile two way athlete.  At corner and safety he is an effective guy covering in space along with tackling in the open field.  Offensively the slot wide out has sound hands and is effective going over the middle and moving the chains.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='2169776' first='Hendryx' last='Goetz'] (Oak Lawn – 2027)   Goetz is a versatile defensive back playing a number of different positions.  Plays with physicality on the edge in the run game along with setting the edge coming up from his nickel spot.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='2105793' first='Khalil' last='Hannah'] (DePaul Prep – 2027)   Corner from DePaul Prep that at 5'9” has ball skills down the field making acrobatic picks and plays on the ball.  Good positioning and footwork down the field.  Smooth athlete that has a ton of skills as a corner.   DB Connor Kern (Yorkville – 2028)   Kern makes plays on the backend including picking a pass over and then running it back for a long return.

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Time to dive into the film room on the defensive side to take a deeper look into what we saw from week 2 of prospects across the state!

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Defenders Who Exploded on Week 2 Film

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