Regular Season Defensive Players of the Year
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A look at the three best players on the defensive side of the ball from the 2022 season. Defensive Players of the Year Blake Purchase Blake Purchase 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Cherry Creek | 2023 State CO ,…
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Continue ReadingA look at the three best players on the defensive side of the ball from the 2022 season.
Defensive Players of the Year
Blake Purchase Blake Purchase 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Cherry Creek | 2023 State CO , Cherry Creek Bruins (LB)(Sr.)(12) – While it might not shock readers to see Purchase, the number 1 player overall in the class of 2023, make this list but he was easily the state’s most dominant pass rusher in 2022. The blue-chip prospect and future Oregon Duck was an absolute force throughout his senior season, accounting for 43 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, a state leading 15 sacks, 5 pass deflections, and a forced fumble. When you watch Purchase’s 2022 season on film, you can see he displays excellent awareness to identify different blocking schemes and quickly react. Good understanding of how to identify perimeter blockers, attack their outside shoulder, and shed the block to prevent the ball carrier from gaining the edge. Also displays elite explosiveness out of his stance to drive down-hill towards the ball carrier/blocker. Maintains a good, low pad level at the point-of-contact that allows him to generate great pop/strength when delivering a tackle. Also displays good hand technique at the point-of-contact to neutralize the blockers hands. All of these traits being displayed in pass rush scenarios, with the opposing tackles routinely being overwhelmed by his speed, explosiveness, size, and technique. Purchase has reaffirmed his standing as the top player in the state with his sheer dominance from the beginning of 2022 through to the end of the season, and will look to close his last year as a Bruin with another 5A state title before heading off to Eugene to dismantle offenses in the Pac-12.
Kyle Solawetz, Evergreen Cougars (DB)(Sr.)(3) – Solawetz was, undoubtably, one of the most consistently dominant DBs in the state over the course of the 2022 season. Looking at the season totals for the senior Cougars’ DB, Solawetz has accounted for 28 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, an eye-popping 8 interceptions with 2 being returned for touchdowns and a remarkable 24 pass deflections while also adding 353 yards receiving and 5 receiving touchdowns on 35 receptions (10.1 YPR) on the offensive side of the ball. Just watching Solawetz’s defensive tape from the 2022 season, you can see he is the prototypical ball hawk at DB, displaying an uncanny ability to find the football in coverage. A combination of great foot speed, lateral agility, and tracking ability while the ball is in the air allow him to shut down most of his side of the field. Outstanding athlete with excellent first step explosiveness out of his backpedal that allows him to hit top gear quickly when working deep coverage, easily being able to run with most boundary receivers. Tall, long DB (6’1, 160 lbs) that knows how to use his length whether in press coverage at the line or jamming the receiver at the top of their stem when playing off-coverage. Shows a good understanding of how to bait opposing QBs into throwing to his side, routinely capitalizing when the ball is thrown his way. Displays requisite ability to form tackle at the point-of-attack when making contact with the ball carrier. Solawetz isn’t currently ranked on any recruiting boards but has more than enough talent and athleticism to play at the collegiate level as he looks to finish his last season as a Cougar with a 3A state title.
Isaac Engle Isaac Engle 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Highlands Ranch | 2023 State CO , Highlands Ranch Falcons (LB)(Sr.)(9) – As heartbreaking as it is to type it out, this is the last piece I’ll be writing about Engle, but it’s certainly an honor that he’s more than deserving of considering how objectively dominant his senior season was. With that being said, however, his final season as a Falcon was certainly one to remember, as he registered an all-world line of 155 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries with one being returned for a touchdown, 8 pass deflections, and 5 interceptions while also blocking a field goal on special teams if his defensive dominance wasn’t enough. When you watch Engle’s 2022 season on film, you can see his relentless motor is the first thing that stands out. High energy LB that never gives up his pursuit on a ball carrier, even when working backside and chasing ball carriers that are well down field. Great physicality at the point-of contact with would be blockers, using a combination of a low pad level, good hand placement, and strength to shed blockers and make the tackle or continue his pursuit. Rarely takes bad angles, often chasing down faster ball carriers because of this trait alone. Good understanding of gap responsibilities to fill would-be running lanes and take away space for the ball carrier. As stated in many of my previous writings on him, Engle is currently rated the number 9 LB and the number 79 player overall for the class of 2023 despite the Falcons’ struggles this season. As I previously stated in my Week 10 – Defensive Players of the Week piece a week ago, Engle has easily been my favorite player that I’ve written about since I began writing for Prep Redzone. How much he’s developed as a player over his career at Highlands Ranch and how much his recruiting buzz has grown with him has been an absolute blast to write about. Whatever program takes a shot on him, at any level, will be getting a future leader in their locker room and I’m sure I won’t be the only person following his career when he goes off to play collegiately somewhere. I wish him nothing but the best in all his future endeavors.