Strengths: Technically sound, run stopper, pursuit
Weaknesses: First step quickness
Trey Bixby is a 6’4”, 230-pound defensive end from St. Edward High School in Lakewood, OH. He committed to Minnesota over offers from Penn State, Michigan State, Cincinnati, and Arkansas among other Power Five interest. Bixby carries a 5.8, four-star Rivals ranking and is the first commit of the 2022 class.
At 6’4”, 230+ pounds already as a high school sophomore, Bixby has great size for the position early in his career. Trey is incredibly sound technically given his young age. As an unblocked defensive end in read option scenarios he probably gets his hands on the tackle and keeps his body square to the line which allows him to get down the line on the running back or get to the quarterback if he keeps. In run-stopping scenarios he demonstrates how to long arm offensive tackles to keep them away from his body and actively comes under approaching blockers to either force a tackle or force the play to bounce outside. I also love the pursuit I see out of Trey as he constantly pursues ball carriers down the field for tackles.
As Bixby develops so will his pass rush arsenal. The active hands he displays in rush situations makes me believe he will continue to progress in that regard. I am looking forward to seeing Bixby build physically with his explosion which will help his general get off the ball quickness and his pass rush abilities.
Trey undoubtedly has a high athletic ceiling and a lot of football in front of him before he even steps foot on a college campus. I see him as a strongside defensive end in the Gophers scheme that excels against the run and as a solid pass rusher. It is hard to see where he might land on the depth chart a few years before he is on campus, however the Gophers should be excited to get Bixby this early on in the process to be a pillar on the recruiting trail.
Weaknesses: First step quickness
Trey Bixby is a 6’4”, 230-pound defensive end from St. Edward High School in Lakewood, OH. He committed to Minnesota over offers from Penn State, Michigan State, Cincinnati, and Arkansas among other Power Five interest. Bixby carries a 5.8, four-star Rivals ranking and is the first commit of the 2022 class.
At 6’4”, 230+ pounds already as a high school sophomore, Bixby has great size for the position early in his career. Trey is incredibly sound technically given his young age. As an unblocked defensive end in read option scenarios he probably gets his hands on the tackle and keeps his body square to the line which allows him to get down the line on the running back or get to the quarterback if he keeps. In run-stopping scenarios he demonstrates how to long arm offensive tackles to keep them away from his body and actively comes under approaching blockers to either force a tackle or force the play to bounce outside. I also love the pursuit I see out of Trey as he constantly pursues ball carriers down the field for tackles.
As Bixby develops so will his pass rush arsenal. The active hands he displays in rush situations makes me believe he will continue to progress in that regard. I am looking forward to seeing Bixby build physically with his explosion which will help his general get off the ball quickness and his pass rush abilities.
Trey undoubtedly has a high athletic ceiling and a lot of football in front of him before he even steps foot on a college campus. I see him as a strongside defensive end in the Gophers scheme that excels against the run and as a solid pass rusher. It is hard to see where he might land on the depth chart a few years before he is on campus, however the Gophers should be excited to get Bixby this early on in the process to be a pillar on the recruiting trail.
