Defensive backs have emerged as the heartbeat of high school football pass defenses, delivering some of the season’s most commanding performances. From tight man‑to‑man coverage to instinctive zone ...

Edge rush was the original strength of the San Francisco 49ers defensive line, but entering 2021 it has shifted towards the interior. 2019 saw the strength of the 49ers defensive line on the edge.

Quentin Lake, Brian Branch, Andrew Van Ginkel and Kyle Hamilton are among the versatile players who allow defensive coordinators to mismatch offenses. Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; ...

Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years of experience in consumer-facing health and wellness content. Strength training preserves muscle, bone density, and ...