2024 DL’s Breakdown
This class of defensive lineman in the state of Tennessee caught my attention. I made it my duty to check them out. I can’t wait to see the ones I haven’t witnessed firsthand, in person. Let’s take a quick view…
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Continue ReadingThis class of defensive lineman in the state of Tennessee caught my attention. I made it my duty to check them out. I can’t wait to see the ones I haven’t witnessed firsthand, in person. Let’s take a quick view at who this class has to offer at defensive lineman.
Grant Winegar – DE – Volunteer HS
Winegar packs plenty of power. He often put tackles on skates and walked them back to the quarterback. There are instances of Winegar stiff punch knocking linemen back and opening the interior rush lane. He often takes these wins to the tackle’s inside shoulder. Winegar approaches linemen with active footwork that allows him to choose which shoulder to attack.
Elijah Phillips – DT/DE – Giles County / @GilesFootball
Phillips does a great job to set the edge and uses his length to stack and shed, often closing a rushing lane plus making the tackle for a stuff. He shows great understanding and execution of run defense assignments and excels on scrape exchanges, where his explosive first step and fluid hips allow Phillips to contort his body and knife through a gap to penetrate. In addition, Phillips has great closing burst and sideline speed, allowing him to track down horizontal runs with ease.
Emanuel Russell – DE – Pearl Cohn HS
Russell regularly maintains a low pad level. He has a solid anchor to set the edge and can even fight hands while stacked to shed cleanly. Russell boasts an excellent first step and twitchy, sudden change of direction ability. As a pass rusher, he can win with pure burst and stellar bend. That said, he has flashed a variety of hand moves and creative counters.
Keegen Scruggs Keegen Scruggs 6'1" | 250 lbs | DL Centennial | 2024 State TN – DT – Centennial HS
Displaying a tremendous understanding of leverage, Scruggs gets under blockers consistently. He has great upper body strength to extend and twist, enforcing his will on opponents. In obvious passing situations, he uses his get off and close quarter quickness to stress centers laterally. Getting under blockers and driving his legs allows him to push the pocket consistently.
Brandon Myers – DE – Briarcrest Christian
Myers is a fairly explosive mover with good speed and change of direction ability. He has the bend to corner and flatten to the passer. Likewise, he can work under a blocker’s reach. He has the lower body strength to work through full-man at times. That said, Myers primarily wins with his nuanced skillset and creative attack.