Lopes demonstrated an elite get-off, exploding out of his stance with a fast first step that allowed him to win the edge quickly. This speed rush made him a nightmare for offensive tackles, often forcing them into recovery mode before they could set their base. He plays with a high motor and physical edge, consistently engaging blockers with violence and refusing to be moved off his spot. His aggressive style translates well to run defense, where he can shed blocks and pursue ball carriers sideline-to-sideline.

Lopes shows impressive bend around the corner, getting vertical upfield while maintaining leverage. This flexibility makes it difficult for linemen to get clean hands on him, as he dips under punches and redirects with ease. He won nearly every rep, showcasing a blend of power and finesse that overwhelmed opponents. Overall, he was impressive throughout the day, with no drop-off in energy or effectiveness as the tournament progressed. Based on the tournament footage, no glaring weaknesses were evident in Lopes’ game—he was dominant across the board.

CJ was already a well known player in this region, and he has only gotten better from last season. He is stronger, faster, and more versatile. He can get into the backfield from the edge or interior and plays with improved discipline and vision. He gets to the ball carrier from the point of attack or the backside and brings lots of pop when tackling. He has also shown skills on offense; catching TD passes and blocking from the TE position. CJ is all skill and all fire, and should be on lots of NCAA recruiting boards by the end of the season.

CJ has all the tools: Speed, get off, power, violent hands, quick change of direction. He used all of these skills winning most of his reps in Miami. He has a great burst off the ball, and blows past defenders with ease. He can get past blockers of any size and showed most of his bag down in Miami. CJ is the real deal.

Meet Camilo “CJ” Lopes, an edge and defensive line prospect from Bridgewater-Raynham, New England, class of 2026! Standing tall at 6’3″ and weighing in at 230 pounds, CJ has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the field. His film showcases an impressive ability to dominate at the point of attack, where his first step quickness is phenomenal, allowing him to disrupt plays right off the snap. CJ’s hands are a key tool in his defensive toolkit; he excels in using them effectively to shed blockers while maintaining his aggressiveness. As a 2024 MHSFCS Div 2 All-State selection, he consistently demonstrates a powerful bull rush that keeps offensive linemen on their toes. What sets CJ apart is his versatility; he skillfully mixes in various rushing moves to apply pressure on quarterbacks, making him a nightmare for opposing offenses. Coaches and scouts alike are eager to see what he’ll achieve in his upcoming 2025 season. Check out his highlight reel here: CJ Lopes Hud! The future is bright for CJ Lopes, and we can’t wait to see him shine at the next level! 🌟🏈