4 Defensive Recruits Taking Their Game To New Heights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've got 4 defensive recruits today who are off to an awesome start to the year and have a bright future lying ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='293302' first='Nylan' last='Brown'] - Ben Davis - LB - 5'11" 230lbs - 2024</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is one of the best LBs in the state and this past Friday against IMG, he had one of his best games yet. He's a big LB who is physical and does a good job adjusting to whoever he's playing. To see him elevate his game and rise to the challenge of a team full of 3, 4, and 5-star recruits was a sight for sore eyes. Brown was easily one of, if not the best defensive player on the field Friday night. He was hungry, angry, and playing like it was his Super Bowl. He had TFLs and was creating pressure and hampering the running game. He did a good job getting off blocks and playing violent. I was on the field during the game Friday and he was impressing some of the Power 5 coaches who were there. Brown had 89 solo tackles alone last year and 20 QB hurries. He's already on pace to blow those numbers out of the water while still getting better. His 13 tackles on Friday are going to help that cause as well. A big game against the best competition he'll face. Brown is one of the best LBs in the state for a reason and Friday against IMG, he proved he not only belongs with the big dawgs but will stand out against them too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@Nylan_Brown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='334064' first='Mark' last='Zackery IV'] - Ben Davis - DB - 6'0" 165lbs - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zackery is a DB that everyone in the country is getting to know and performances like Friday will only help accelerate that process. He's now playing offense and making big plays for the offense as well as the defense. I didn't know he was playing receiver until I saw him out there, and he looks fantastic. He's such a smooth athlete and transitions his body in and out of breaks with ease. He's the same explosive athlete who can cut on a dime and knows how to get open because he understands coverage. He had a fantastic TD reception as well. On defense, he's able to tackle in space and is the fastest player on the field so he's able to run down anyone. He's all over his receiver like glue and does a good job erasing them from the game. I believe he also recovered a fumble down in the Red Zone as well. Either way, it was still a stellar performance from Zackery and you can see why coaches all over the country are interested in the Giants star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@MZackery_</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='992375' first='David' last='Curl III'] - West Lafayette - LB - 6'1" 210lbs - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Curl is not only off to a good start, but he's putting himself on the map for a few different reasons. First off, his production is off the charts right now. He's all over the field and does a good job diagnosing what's in front of him. He's a much better athlete than offenses expect and can run with most offensive guys. He's run down QBs in the backfield and does a good job creating pressure when he blitzes. He's listed at 6'1" but he certainly seems bigger than that and has a frame that looks like he could keep developing over the next few years. He's on Special Teams blocking punts, on kickoffs running down the return man, and is a high motor relentless type of player and you can see that on his tape. I appreciate his effort because it's truly down after down and he never takes a snap off. Through 4 games he's got 41 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 4 hurries, 1 Pass deflected, and 1 fumble recovery. It's been a big start for the year for Curl and I'm now a big fan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@Curl_III</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='801622' first='Hayden' last='Miller'] - St. Josephs (SB) - ATH - 5'11" 170lbs - 2024</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller is coming off of a game where he hit the trifecta. A TD on offense, a TD on defense, and a TD on Special Teams. To impact the game in all 3 phases is incredible, to be a good enough athlete and player to score in all 3 phases is impressive. To do it all in 1 game is even more rare and impressive. Miller certainly got eyes on him after Friday. His rushing TD alone was fantastic. He cut upfield, got to the second level, hit them with a spin move and went out the backdoor. He was gone and nobody was catching him. His pick 6 was all him and even more impressive than his TD run. He read the QB's eyes and came flying down from his Safety position and picked it off. He then turned into Barry Sanders making everyone miss, cutting back across the field, getting the corner, and diving into the endzone for 6. His 85-yard punt return TD was impressive as well. He got the ball and immediately made a man miss, cut back across the field, picked up a block, and was gone. Miller's an impressive athlete. He's elite with the ball in his hands and is fun to watch. After Friday, he's certainly got my attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@H_Miller01</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->