Film Room: Uncommitted Defensive Linemen in ’25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we work our way to the end of June, we are closing in on the recruiting dead period that runs from June 24-July 24. College coaches will be evaluating what they saw from prospects the last few months. Prospects will be training for their upcoming seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state has been fortunate in the amount of college offers already extended to student-athletes in the 2025 Class. Some guys already have locked up their spots for the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plenty of other dudes still are searching for homes. Let's take a look at seven senior-to-be defensive linemen still on the market:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1243529' first='Tyson' last='Shivers'], 6-3, 215, Boone</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16085111/6535e6e40c53d705b457a9e7">Junior Highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shivers might intrigue some college coaches as a tight end. Although he only caught seven passes as a junior last season, they were good for 92 yards. He looks fluid at the position with definite upside if given more opportunities there. He's already shown difference-making ability on defense. He delivered 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks as an 11th-grader. He comes off of the edge in the 3-man front, proving effective standing up or with his hand on the ground. He's quick laterally and in rushing the quarterback while also being physical against the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1277268' first='Isaiah' last='Bassett'], 6-3, 215, Ankeny</strong> <strong>Centennial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15083919/65cfb00cf5699b107c8b5862"><strong>Junior Highlights</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm really not sure what the holdup is on Bassett in terms of why more colleges aren't involved. Like with Shivers, it probably has to do with him not being the right dimensions physically for some colleges. That doesn't explain the absence of others. Take a look at the video linked above. He's fast and physical. Bassett explodes off of the snap and shows excellent lateral quickness. He'll need to add strength and to his pass-rush repertoire on the next level. Most incoming freshmen need development and the upside here is significant. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1279966' first='Ter' last='Kuany'], 6-3, 220, Urbandale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16284777/65543742a677ce0d90ef65ac">Junior Highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You might be recognizing a pattern so far when it comes to the height and weight of these guys. Kuany is listed as five pounds heavier than Bassett and Shivers but they share similar skills sets and needed development. They also compete against top competition most weeks. Kuany consistently finds ways to get off of blocks. He can beat opponents with speed off of the edge. Kuany also separates with strong hands and power up top. He already has a variety of pass-rushing moves and an idea on the right time to use them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1280014' first='Jack' last='Vinyard'], 6-4, 225, Waukee Northwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15944263/654e98bfc11a7e045c424726">Junior Highlights</a></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vinyard is listed a shade bigger than the first three guys on this rundown, but he looks a lot like them on his highlights. He shines from the outside out of three- and four-man fronts. He also can slide inside, offering the versatility coveted by college coaches. His athleticism would play up more from an interior spot if he develops that way physically. Whether rushing the passer or defending the run, Vinyard keeps his head up and his eyes on the target. It keeps him in plays longer, which leads to him finding his way to the ball a lot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1279983' first='ArShawn' last='Hubert'], 6-1, 235, Davenport West </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16640246/65fa98235797f10560937cce">Junior Highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being undersized for his position, Hubert gets the job done with strength and good technique. He plays fast and works hard. An end in West's 3-4 defensive alignment, Hubert is sound fundamentally and plays under control while delivering plays. He could fit on the outside in some schemes or inside for others. That latter would require bulking up, but his frame could comfortably add mass without losing his impressive agility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='476216' first='Markel' last='Zapiensz'], 6-2, 255, Columbus</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15789504/65d413b664e0b10b80c9cdb9">Junior Highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Shivers, college coaches could view Zapiensz as a tight end. He can deliver big plays, as evidenced by his two receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown in '23. Other staffs might like what they see from him on defense, where he produced, 3.0 sacks, 5.0 tackles for loss and 14 solo stops last fall. Zapiensz lines up at end for Columbus. There, he shows traits that could keep him on the outside or play well sliding inside. He brings upper- and lower-body strength to field, playing with good leverage and his head up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1213553' first='Cohen' last='Bloemers'], 6-1, 245, MOC-Floyd Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18079118/655a7495da50f3043809bf68">Junior Highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I could see Bloemers fitting on either side of the trench in college. As a nose guard in the Dutchmen's three-man front, he's eats up blockers and frequently disrupts the proceedings for the offense. He frees up the guys behind him so they can make tackles when he doesn't. Bloemers is quick sideline to sideline and disengages from O-Linemen regularly. The skills that lead to success on defense also would work on offense at the next level, most likely on the interior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->