Schultz and Safka Lead the Way For Best Defensive Performances

*Johnson30 at checkout gives you a 30% on a Prep Redzone subscription*   Week 2 was the stage for another round of outstanding individual defensive efforts. Many of which were key to teams bringing home their first or second W of the young season. This week's standouts include double digit tacklers, and several athletes who were able to create backfield disruption and production. In this week's article we are looking at front seven defenders and what they put on tape to show college coaches that they are worthy of a chance to play at the next level. Let's dive and break down the tape on this group of talented, uncommitted athletes.    Stats: 17 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 FF   Fast and violent is the name of the game for the Grantsburg ILB. The senior LB brings the heat when tackling, doing a great job of running through his man and driving them backwards and forcefully into the dirt. The tape reps out plays of the senior LB quickly triggering downhill, filling his gap, and/or flying into the backfield to make stops against the run game. He is able to take on blocks and quickly shed to make the tackle. It was a great week of physical run defense by the senior LB/RB. Coaches at the next level need to be on this kid starting today.      Stats: 9 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 Sacks   Safka could not be blocked in Week 2. He was getting into the backfield with his first step quickness and his ability to go from that speed into power on contact. They tried to pull guys to him or run away from him. None of it worked. The senior did really well taking on blocks and not taking himself out of plays by getting too deep in the backfield. The senior was able to shed blocks after setting the edge and still make the tackle at the line of scrimmage. The hand usage was a constant presence in each highlight clip as well. The senior is technically sound and steadily becoming more and more explosive and powerful in the trenches. Give his highlights a watch!      Stats: 9 Tackles, 5 TFLs, 4 Sacks   The senior out of Pius XI in Milwaukee is a new addition to my radar and he breaks onto it with an unreal Week 2 performance. As you can see from the numbers the senior lived in the backfield in Week 2. As you watch through the tape it becomes very apparent that the senior was winning with his quickness, agility, and acceleration. A lot of reps that he won the OL couldn't even get hands on him. Once in the backfield Morgan has the range to chase down the ball very quickly. The kid was a nightmare matchup for the Howards Grove OL who had to try and stay in front of him.      Stats: 7 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 Sacks   The 6'2" 200 lbs Edge defender plays with game-changing first step burst at the snap. The evidence is in the stat line and the tape. RJ was all over the backfield chasing down the ball and making stops for losses. RJ was getting a lot of free access into the backfield because of that speed, but when he had to the senior could flash quick hands to get a free runway into the backfield. The senior is an under the radar athlete that the D3 landscape in WI will want to have on their radars going forward. The highlights are below!      Stats: 5 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 Sacks   This senior DT is an absolute unit, checking in at 5'11" 320+ lbs. Even more impressive than the size is the tape. The senior is extremely powerful, aided by his use of leverage and wrestling background. In Week 2 the senior IDL was rag dolling his opposing OL. Rep after rep you see the superior raw power and heavy hands get the OL off balance and essentially thrown aside. From there Logan was able to flex his surprising quickness as he got after the QB or RB. It is truly impressive how powerful the senior DL is. This is a kid that can be an impact player at the next level. Coaches, you need to dive into these highlights. They are something special.      Stats: 16 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 Sacks   The 5'8" 175 lbs junior is a defender that has a nose for the ball. Ethan plays in the box and on the edge a ton and could fit at the next level as a S/LB hybrid who provides that run support and extra man in the box who also brings some range. Ethan does really well staying clean and getting off blocks, especially for his size. He almost bounces off blocks and then can flash some burst to close on the ball as to not give up extra ground. With his speed and elusive run filling Ethan is a tough defender to get a hat on and it has led to him being very productive on the field.      Stats: 17 Tackles, 1 TFL   Next up we have an 8 Man senior in [player_tooltip player_id='2370856' first='Karson' last='Garner'] who plays LB and QB for Almond-Bancroft. The 6'1" athlete stands out from the crowd with his frame and with the range that he has. He can fill quickly between the tackles and also track down the ball carrier out to the sideline without having to sacrifice yardage with a steep pursuit angle. A-B also trusted Karson to play out over receivers in certain situations as well. Great to see an 8 man player standing out.      Stats: 5 Tackles, 1 TFL   It is quick highlights for Treton this week, but they show a well rounded athlete. The tape starts with multiple clips of his range to get out to the sideline for tackles in the passing game. Then between the tackles Treton has quickness, instincts, and power to diagnose plays and navigate traffic to get to the football and make stout tackles. The junior fills his gap with aggression and runs his legs through contact to drive back the ball carrier. Check it out.      Stats: 6 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack   I'm always impressed when I watch the northern WI senior take the field. His defensive efforts are the focus this week. Mason is a very strong athlete. He does a great job getting hands on, forcing space with his hands and also holding the line of scrimmage with a powerful lower body. The senior's hands are always working and as soon as he has a bit of space or leverage to slip through a gap Mason is going to show off his burst to fly through and get to the football. Chell is an athlete who can hold the line or win through a gap. He is versatile and powerful. Check out the tape for yourselves!

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