PRZ IL IHSA 7A All State Team: Defensive Edition
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Kicking off the new year, we’re releasing our All State teams which have been compiled after hours upon hours of film eval on each player. This is an extensive process that looks at the top 40 teams in each classification…
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Continue ReadingKicking off the new year, we’re releasing our All State teams which have been compiled after hours upon hours of film eval on each player. This is an extensive process that looks at the top 40 teams in each classification and doing a deep dive into each player on each team – yes I do mean each player which is why it takes a long time to complete. After going through this process of breaking down film and analyzing it, I have decided where each player is listed as either 1st Team, 2nd Team, and Honorable Mention. With 7A football, there are a lot of young men that you can make an argument for being on this list as the talent runs deep on this level. These are my picks after the film eval where you can see hidden gems being picked over those that may have D1 offers etc. based upon their skill set. Without further ado, let’s dive into PRZ IL IHSA 7A All State Team: Defensive Edition.
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1st Team
DL
Highlights
- Active hands a point of attack – can blow up plays in backfield consistently
- 2 gap defender & isn’t afraid to take run blocker head on to make tackle in hole
- Quick out of stance
- Mix of swim move & bull rush – gets to QB for pressure/sack
Highlights
- Slips blocks well to disrupt plays in backfield
- Can crash off edge beating offensive tackle to turn point for QB pressure
- Active hands at point of attack – uses to disrupt plays in backfield
- Can crash into B gap to disrupt plays in backfield
Highlights
- Edge rusher gets to turn point before OT is set to block & closes on QB quickly for sacks
- Quick 1st step out of stance
- Active hands at point of attack to slip blocks – disrupts plays in backfield
- Bull rush to drive OT back collapsing pocket & disengages for QB sack
LB
Highlights
- Triggers downhill quickly in close space
- Comes off edge blitz & closes quickly for QB sack
- Drives legs through whistle when wrapping up tackle
- Good change of direction – covers sideline to sideline well
Highlights
- Closes quickly coming on blitz through A or B gap blowing up plays on backfield
- Triggers downhill quickly in close space
- Rangy closing quickly covering sideline to sideline
- Transitions well from zone drop to close on QB scrambling in an instant as force player
Highlights
- Triggers downhill quickly in close space
- Works gap to gap well
- Not afraid to deliver heavy hit
- Closes quickly to make open field tackle in flat – rangy
Highlights
- Holds down perimeter well – disengages blocks to secure open field tackles in flat for loss/no gain consistently
- Works gap to gap well
- Heavy hitter – not afraid to lower shoulder
- Triggers downhill quickly in close space
DB
Highlights
- Fluid flip of hips – transitions quickly staying on WR hip to make play on ball for PBU
- High points 50/50 ball for INTs or PBUs
- Closes quickly in run support making open field tackles in flat & on perimeter
- Covers sideline to sideline quickly – can come from opposite hash to make play on ball
Highlights
- quick reaction to secure INT off tipped pass
- Can close quickly to secure open field tackle in flat & on perimeter
- Plants foot & goes – drives on tackle in flat forcing PBU
- Flies to the ball – good change of direction
- Good break on routes & has good technique
Ethan Tierney
Ethan Tierney
- Can jump crossing routes for INTs & high points for INTs too
- Ball hawking safety that can close quickly – covers sideline to sideline well
- Good eyes & good break on routes making a play on the ball
2nd Team
DL
Nicholas Dorn
Nicholas Dorn
- Edge rusher scrapping off edge for pressure/sack – can also counter inside if OT oversets for QB sack
- Takes pulling run blocker head on jolting defender upright – blows up play in backfield
- Can hold C gap control before closing on ball carrier for TFL or no gain
- Can close on QB quickly once he escapes pocket for pressure
Joe Barna
Joe Barna
- Scapes off edge both in pass rush & in runs support – once he turns corner he closes quickly making play in backfield
- Active hands at point of attack – bats OL hands down to slip blocks disrupting plays in backfield
- Not afraid to deliver heavy hit on QB when coming on pressure
Highlights
- Active hands at point of attack – gets after it playing through whistle
- Speed rush has relentless effort through whistle – results in QB sacks & pressures
- Can close quickly once he turns the corner
- Bull rush – drives OT back collapsing pocket for QB pressure
- Quick 1st step paired with active hands at point of attack for QB for pressure/sacks
- Can disengage blocks to secure tackle on outside tackle runs for no gain/loss on play
- Takes backside pursuit for chasedown tackle
- Good swim move in pass rush – can counter inside to B gap or take edge
LB
Highlights
- Triggers downhill quickly in close space – both on inside & outside tackle runs
- Can get hand in throwing lane for PBU when dropping to hook/curl zone drop
- Disengages blocks to secure tackle in hole
Highlights
- Can close quickly on screen to blow up for TFL & does same thing if QB tries to escape pocket
- Not afraid to lower shoulder delivering heavy hit
- Force player on QB rollouts – delivers heavy hit on QB as he’s getting ball off
- Flies to ball – rangy getting involved in run support well
Highlights
- Triggers downhill quickly in close space
- Can work gap to gap
- Rangy – can cover sideline to sideline
- Can jolt run blocker upright to secure tackle in hole for no gain
DB
- Zone coverage – can close quickly on seam route & go up for 50/50 ball forcing PBU
- Plays alley well – closes quickly and makes open field tackles for no gain/TFL
- Good transition & break on routes to make play
- Also is a deadly return man & good WR too
Highlights
- Can jump route in flat for INT
- Stays on WR hip in man coverage taking away option on crossing route – if ball is forced can punch through forcing PBUs
- Can close quickly to secure open field tackles in flat
Tyler O’Connor
Tyler O’Connor
- Good break on ball in redzone closing quickly to high point ball for INT off fade route
- Can jump routes as 2 high safety forcing INTs on crossing routes
- Can come on blitz out of nickel corner closing quickly for QB sack
Honorable Mention
DL
Hyson Bey-Biue 23′ Moline
Rocco DiLeonardi Rocco DiLeonardi 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Geneva | 2024 State IL 24′ Geneva Twitter
Andrew Zook Andrew Zook 6'4" | 235 lbs | DL Yorkville | 2023 State IL 23′ Yorkville Twitter
LB
Cooper Caraway 24′ Normal Community Twitter
Anthony Palano Anthony Palano 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Buffalo Grove | 2024 State IL 24′ Buffalo Grove Twitter
Tommy Diamond Tommy Diamond 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Geneva | 2024 State IL 24′ Geneva Twitter
Joseph Kingsbury Joseph Kingsbury 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB St. Rita | 2023 State IL 23′ St. Rita Twitter
DB
Vernon Malone Vernon Malone 6'1" | 160 lbs | DB Bradley Bourbonnais | 2023 State IL 23′ Bradley-Bourbonnais Twitter
Michael Cervantes 23′ Buffalo Grove Twitter
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Use Code JordanAmaskane30 for 30% OFF your subscription today!
Be sure to follow @hddngemscouting & @PrepRedzoneIL regarding news & information for IHSA Football