The Line Wisconsin Session 2: Top DL performers

Although the first session brought many great athletes to the table <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/the-line-wisconsin-session-1-best-ol-performances/">(offensive line</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/the-line-wisconsin-session-1-best-dl-performances/">defensive line)</a>, after seeing the names that were left over, I knew that the second portion of The Line Wisconsin was going to bring the juice. I was not wrong as the talent during the back-half of the event was even more impressive than the first. Here are my top performers from session 2’s defensive line group. 2022 DE [player_tooltip player_id="65775" first="Tyler" last="Hendricker"], Peotone, IL (6’4” and 228lbs) @TylerHendricker I’ve seen Hendricker at other camps this offseason and wasn’t overly impressed, but what he did on Saturday was impressive. He had an explosive first step, great hand placement and competed all afternoon. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366775779355484163?s=21 Hendricker has a very good frame, one where he looks lean and could easily put on 25-30 extra pounds and still maintain his flexibility and speed. This was an eye opening performance for me, as I will be watching him much closer when the season starts in a few weeks. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115242" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/3DB4DA7E-1FF6-400F-8F3C-2E0129706C25-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 DT Jake Paulline, Metea Valley, IL (6’ and 295lbs) @Jake_Paulline A classic middle of the defense nose tackle, Paulline can do more than just occupy  offensive lineman. He was one of the strongest players in attendance, and with solid hand placement, used that strength to his advantage. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366777988470177792?s=21 Paulline has a perfect body type for a DT, he’s big, but not too big. He’s pretty nimble for his size as well, going through drill work he looked very light on his feet. Once again, Paulline had an impressive performance. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115244" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/38ACF365-8BFE-4871-AE6F-BB35CAA82102-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 DE [player_tooltip player_id="20912" first="Connor" last="Murphy"], Glenbard South, IL (6’2” and 236lbs) @ConnorM42407009 I have seen Murphy twice in the last 2 weeks, once at EFT and on Saturday. Impressive in both but when he went through 1v1’s, Murphy was almost unstoppable. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366781848651767810?s=21 Murphy has the whole package, strength, speed, footwork, hands and a fantastic attitude. He took reps mainly from the left side, but when he moved inside, it didn’t matter, Murphy was still dominant. Once he hits the field again, schools will start to notice how talented he is. Murphy is going to blow up this spring. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115246" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/C34F0698-5212-4EFE-BEE1-4FD70C4A1988-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2021 DT Jason Winston, Phoenix Military, IL (6’ and 298lbs) @JWillBall1 A casualty of multiple events, Winston went unsigned for his class. Part of this has to do with no fall season and not getting any new film. Winston had a very good day, consistently showing hand placement and fast feet that allowed him to get by offensive lineman. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366784220429967371?s=21 An impressive wingspan helps Winston use his hands to create distance, then the speed shows up to blow past his opponent. During drill work he also showed good change of direction. Unfortunately he won’t play this spring, but certainly has the capability to help a school in the future. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115247" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/3076B63F-5AAA-4844-881D-AB1C438658F7-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 DE Boston Bower, Huntley, IL (6’1 and 231lbs) @boston_bower An extremely hard worker, Bower has been trying to take advantage of the long offseason and work on his game. The hard work has paid off, as Bower seems to have reached another level this weekend. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366787377444880387?s=21 A solid lower half enables Bower to use his strength to give lineman fits, but he also has speed off the edge to do the same. He’s added on good weight, showing upper-body strength that he didn’t have previously. I fully expect Bower to have huge sophomore year and get on the radars of many schools. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115251" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/42064A53-3529-4423-A79B-0FBB6B1C0629-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 DE Cole Silzer, Lockport, IL (6’2” and 228lbs) @SilzerCole1 I got clued in to Cole by his baseball coach, who I have know for many years, but this was the first time I had seen him live and came away impressed. Great size and athletic ability, Silzer uses his hands to get defenders off his body, then his speed to pursue the quarterback. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366790216795701251?s=21 Silzer looks skinny, his frame will give him the ability to add on more weight. He’s very technical in his movements, showing that he has soaked up all his coaching. I am excited to see what Cole will do this spring. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115253" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/A41DFC24-EE2F-4D21-B854-BBCEC4A55906-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 DE Danny Novikas, Mount Carmel, IL (6’2” and 201lbs) @DNovickas_2023 Although on the smaller side at the moment, Novikas still showed significant upside. He uses his quick get-off to fly past tackles, but that’s not all. Solid handwork when he can’t use his speed, Novikas has a good spin move as well. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366793604648337408?s=21 As he grows and gets stronger, his array of pass-rush moves will improve, right now he’s much more finesse than power. This coming season will be telling, especially if he can hold his own against bigger opponents. There also is potential Novikas ends up as a linebacker, depending on his growth. Either way, he’s a guy that should be on radars heading into the season. 2022 DE Kaleb White, Fremd, IL (5’8” and 207lbs) @Kaleb_White84 Another undersized prospect that has been working extremely hard during the offseason was White. I have seen him before but he really showed well during the event. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366822304920043520?s=21 White’s speed was noticeable, as he was quicker than many of his opponents. Not only that, he used his strength to bullrush and the killer spin move shown above. What White lacks for in size, he more than makes up for in technique and IQ. Very good day for him on Saturday. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115254" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/F82BC8D0-0050-4F41-AA92-441D86E342E2-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 DE [player_tooltip player_id="65768" first="Xavier" last="Slayton"], Crete Monee, IL (6’2” and 239lbs) @SlaytonXavier One of my favorite players in the class, Slayton is an extremely hard worker. I’ve seen him at multiple camps during the offseason and after each one he’s left a positive impression. Strength, speed and an array of moves, Slayton was one of the best ends during the event. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366824484892794890?s=21 He’s got great size already, with potential to add on more strength as he gets older. Footwork and hand placement are impressive and Slayton has plenty of room to get better too. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115255" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/435F0663-28CC-471E-92EA-913394D82234-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Cody Silzer, Lockport, IL (6’2” and 225lbs) @codysilzer The twin brother of Cole has just as much ability, but the similarities are eerie. Both use a dual-hand swat to disrupt offensive lineman, and use their speed to get past them. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366830300148469766?s=21 Although a bit smaller, Cody also has a great frame, plenty of room to add on good weight. He has great bend with strong hands, plenty of speed and a willingness to improve. The duo will terrorize opposing quarterbacks this spring. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115256" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/155B9EBC-0DDE-46F7-B7C0-19105CD61F19-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 DE [player_tooltip player_id="56452" first="Kendis" last="Ledbetter"], Sioux Fall, SD (6’1” and 242lbs) @KendisLedbetter This young man showed a lot of ability during individual drills, then unfortunately broke his hand during the testing portion prior to 1v1’s. That didn’t stop Ledbetter from continuing to compete, showing his toughness even though he was in a lot of pain. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366832840135106564?s=21 His get off was impressive during the event, Ledbetter showed solid handwork before the injury and an explosive first step. I would have loved to see what he could have done with both hands, but that will have to wait until he recovers and hits the field next. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115258" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/666DFC57-870F-454B-BAFB-FB9286DB8119-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 DE Aiden Morgan, Davenport Assumption, IA (6’1” and 202lbs) @aiden_morgo Morgan is a player I had never seen before, but came away impressed with his quick get off and leg drive. He’s got plenty of room to add on more good weight, which will make him a better player when that happens. I love the fact that he’s also a wrestler, the skills translate over to the gridiron. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1366838261725995013?s=21 During individual drills, he showed very good footwork and drive, while keeping his hands active. I wish he was closer to me to see him live, as Morgan would most likely impress.