What Defenders Made an Impression in Week 6 on Film?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We dived into the film room to look at week 6!&nbsp; These were some of the defensive prospects that impressed us with the film they posted!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1883430' first='Bryce' last='Baxa'] (Yorkville – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive lineman goes 6'2” and 240 pounds.&nbsp; At defensive end he is powerful using his hands and runs well after the ball.&nbsp; Quickness vs the run making tackles at or near the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Jack Gilardi (St. Ignatius – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like the combination of speed and power that the defensive end brings.&nbsp; Burst to the ball and pursues.&nbsp; Hits really hard.&nbsp; Plays with all out effort and good technique.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Ethan Brooks (Wheaton Academy – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior 6'0” 200 pound EDGE player that is quick off the ball.&nbsp; He got to the quarterback for a sack using his speed around the end.&nbsp; Puts constant pressure on the QB.&nbsp; Like how he plays against the run on his side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='801714' first='Logan' last='Popovich'] (Bishop McNamara – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 6'1” 270 pound defensive tackle was effective getting in the backfield in week 6.&nbsp; Pushes up the middle of the pocket with his raw strength on the bull rush.&nbsp; Got pressure on the quarterback shedding the center and putting pressure on the passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Liam Pagan (Willowbrook – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This big bodied defensive tackle is 6'4” and 300 pounds.&nbsp; Powerful pushing up the middle and being disruptive in the run game.&nbsp; Blows up plays and gets tackles for loss.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Wyatt Brandt (St. Charles North – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brandt is a middle linebacker that flows well to the ball.&nbsp; He is smaller, but does a nice job of getting through traffic making tackles.&nbsp; Makes the stop in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1344909' first='Noah' last='Swaw'] (Tinley Park – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'1” 220 pounds this junior plays the run on his side well getting off blocks and making the tackle.&nbsp; Plays assignment football and attacks the ball when the opportunities present themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Niko Mann (Hinsdale Central – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'1” linebacker from Hinsdale Central had 3.5 tackles in a little bit over a quarter of play vs York.&nbsp; Identifies and diagnoses well against the run getting to the ball carrier making tackles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Will Mettee (Loyola – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ramblers linebacker runs very well sideline to sideline.&nbsp; Stout vs the run in between the tackles as well.&nbsp; Flies to the ball and takes quality angles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1907595' first='Ethan' last='Albertson'] (Huntley – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong linebacker that does a nice job of getting off blocks and making tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Jonathan Diaz (Oak Lawn – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diaz is an undersized middle linebacker that gives it everything he has.&nbsp; Slices through the offensive line to bring down the ball carrier.&nbsp; He blocked a kick going over the middle of the line.&nbsp; Core special teams player.&nbsp; Runs really well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='537245' first='Jayden' last='Marshall'] (Crete Monee – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshall is one of the more intriguing corners in the class.&nbsp; Against Thornridge the Crete corner flew to the ball in the endzone for a fumble recovery for a TD.&nbsp; Really like how fluid he is changing directions and tackles well on the perimeter.&nbsp; Also is a high level cover guy that knocks down passes around the receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1743262' first='Kobe' last='Lewis'] (Ridgewood – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solid tackler in the secondary that wraps up low.&nbsp; Solid instincts and flows well to the ball.&nbsp; Rallies to the ball to help teammates finish off tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Denzel James (Hinsdale South – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James is a 2026 defensive back that brings good length and fluid athleticism.&nbsp; Made a nice play on the ball downfield along with tackling low.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1902831' first='Triston' last='Wesley'] (Champaign Central – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 5'11” corner brings good length and instincts to the table.&nbsp; Blew up a bubble screen for a tackle for loss.&nbsp; Breaks hard on the ball and tackles in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='718741' first='Cornell' last='Conely'] (Simeon – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conely is an impactful player on both sides of the ball.&nbsp; Liked how he covered ground on the back end in week 6 for a pick six.&nbsp; The safety has range and can separate the ball from opponents when needed.&nbsp; Also had 106 yards of total offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->