Playbooks
Will Blitz 3 is a Cover 3 zone blitz out of the 3-3-5 Over Wide set that sends the Will linebacker off the edge while dropping the defense into a three deep, four under shell behind him. The blocking scheme for the blitz relies on the Will threatening the weak side edge to draw a hot back or tackle before the underneath defenders wall off the middle and flood the short zones. Your primary read as the defender is the quarterback's eyes and release: confirm the Will gets a clean run at the pocket, then work from the deep middle third to the underneath crossers, since most quarterbacks will try to hit a quick out or slant before the extra rusher arrives.
Watch the tackle and running back on the weak side snap to snap, if they consistently slide protection away from the Will you can user him earlier for a free run Key the quarterback's first read on trips or bunch formations, offenses often try to beat Cover 3 zone blitzes with quick outs or spot concepts to the numbers before the rush closes Get eyes on any tight end or slot receiver working a seam route, since the deep middle third defender has to balance width with depth against vertical shots up the pipe This call struggles against max protect schemes with only one receiver out, since the extra blocker neutralizes the free rusher and lets the quarterback pick apart the four under zone at leisure Look for play action rollouts to the weak side, since the Will's blitz angle can be exploited by a bootleg that pulls him upfield and opens a passing lane behind him
Check pre-snap for a lone deep safety or a two high shell that could rotate down, since Will Blitz 3 loses some run support to the weak side when the linebacker crashes off the edge
Use this on early or second and medium downs against offenses that like to attack the weak side with outside zone or stretch, since the Will's blitz path also disrupts the mesh point
Hot route the strong side underneath zone defender to shallow if you see trips or bunch to that side, this keeps you sound against quick game and stick concepts
Pair this call with Sam Blitz 3 to keep the offense guessing about which linebacker is bringing pressure, both plays share the same shell so your post snap disguise stays consistent
Sequence Will Blitz 3 after a base Cover 3 Sky or Cover 3 Sim Pressure earlier in the drive so the quarterback has seen a similar picture without the extra rusher, this sets up the blitz to hit home on third and medium