Week 1 Defensive Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The nonconference slate continues for most teams in the Natural State. Here are a few defensive players to watch in week one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1331362' first='Ducy' last='James']-Edge-Sylvan Hills-6'3” 225-Pounds-2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sylvan Hills defensive lineman is a prospect who gets into the offensive backfield with impressive consistency. Has a good blend of speed and power to cause plenty of trouble for opposing offensive linemen. James is a player to watch this week against Maumelle. He is an edge rusher that opposing quarterbacks must be aware of on the field. He has the potential for a big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reece Hammons-Edge-Farmington-6'0” 230-Pounds-2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reece Hammons lived in the Mountain Home backfield last Friday. He uses his speed well to shed blocks and get into the opposing offensive backfield. Hammons can pressure the opposing quarterback or defend against the run. He is the type of player who does not give up on a play. Hammons is a player to watch when the Cardinals take on the War Eagles of Rogers Heritage on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1855182' first='Garrett' last='Wolfe']-Linebacker-Bentonville-5'11” 195-Pounds-2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bentonville senior linebacker is coming off of a season where he earned all-conference honors. Wolfe does a great job of reading the play and puts himself in a position to make a play on the ball carrier. He has the speed to defend against the run or the pass. Wolfe and the Bentonville defense have a tough matchup ahead of them this week against the Conway Wampus Cats. Wolfe is a player to watch out for this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1354197' first='Bryer' last='Hackler']-Linebacker-Greenwood-6'1” 225-Pounds-2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2028 is loaded with talented prospects on the defensive side of the ball. Hackler is a linebacker who is always around the football. He reads the play well and has no problem defending against the run or the pass. Hackler has the quickness to get sideline-to-sideline in pursuit of the ball carrier. Hackler is facing an explosive offense in the form of Pulaski Academy. He is a player to watch out for this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1516821' first='Mario' last='Brownlee']-Linebacker-Arkadelphia-6'0” 205-Pounds-2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1516821' first='Mario' last='Brownlee'] has been one of the most consistent linebackers in the state over the past few years. Brownlee has a rare mix of speed and power and will defeat blocks to get to the ball carrier. He is able to drop back into coverage to defend against the pass. Meanwhile, he can come off of the edge and get into the opposing offensive backfield with impressive consistency. He is a player to watch out for this week against Hot Springs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->