Samuel Lateju
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Brendan Mankarious | Prep Redzone Scout
Another Mercer County prospect,
Samuel Lateju
Samuel
Lateju
6'5" | 225 lbs | DL
Lawrenceville | 2025
State
NJ
, is comes in as our fourth defensive lineman in the rankings update. An edge player, Lateju has a very quick get off that explodes. We see that he can turn power into speed and is exceptional when attacking the soft shoulder. Something I genuinely love, Lateju appears jubilated when he is making big plays all over the field. Technically, Lateju does a great job of getting his hands on and extended while keeping his feet moving forward. This allows him to consistently establish a new line of scrimmage in the backfield and force backs to slow down or bounce. Versus read option he surfs well and plays at good depth. He does tackle a bit high when pass rushing and is more upright when standing off the edge. I want to see Lateju take on pullers using the wrong arm rather than extending his arms. Lateju plans to suit up for the Wisconsin Badgers in the fall of 2025.
Prior Overall Ranking: 51
New Overall Ranking: 16
New Positional Rank: 4
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Read EvaluationEarnest Daniels | Prep Redzone Scout
Samuel Lateju, a 6’5” and 230-pound edge rusher, possesses solid athleticism, although not as explosive as some of his counterparts. His strengths lie in his pursuit to the football, adept use of hands to defeat blocks in the run game, and smooth change of direction, showcasing his overall athleticism and agility. Lateju typically plays as a stand-up edge rusher, offering versatility in his approach to the position. However, his future success at the collegiate level hinges on his ability to refine his pass-rushing techniques. Currently lacking a defined pass rush plan and effective use of hand techniques, Lateju will need to develop a repertoire of moves to complement his adequate first step. Despite playing for Lawrenceville and not being widely recognized, Lateju holds offers from reputable schools like Duke, West Virginia, Wake Forest, Cincinnati, and Syracuse. With the right development and consistent improvement, Lateju has the potential to emerge as a formidable force on the edge, leveraging his athleticism to become a dominant presence in the future.
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Read EvaluationEarnest Daniels | Prep Redzone Scout
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