Top 5 2021 Bay Area Defensive Linemen

Paul Gregorian July 29, 2020 @ 02:27 PM

<div> Year in and year out the Bay Area produces dozens of division 1 football prospects. Here is a look at the top five defensive linemen coming out of the Bay Area in the 2021 class. <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="25057" first="Akili" last="Calhoun"], 6’4" 245 lbs., Liberty-Brentwood HS</strong></em> The 6’4" 245 Ib Cal-Berkley commit is a dominant and balanced edge defender with good size and ability to pack on more muscle at the next level. He displays good first step quickness and has a strong punch at the point of attack while using his length to keep blockers away from his body. Moves well in space and displays good speed and change of direction ability for his size. Natural bender around the edge that flashes pass rush potential with quick hands and natural ability to convert speed to power. Very high motor player that displays quick play diagnosis and is a strong tackler in the box and in space. A terrific local addition to Cal’s strong 2021 recruiting class. <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="25108" first="Jailen" last="Weaver"] 6’7" 280 Ibs., Antioch HS</strong></em> One of the top uncommitted prospects in Northern California who holds offers from the SEC, Mountain West, Pac12 and Big Ten conferences flashes tons of upside and untapped potential. Still a raw player but has great length and physicality at the point of attack. Long striding prospect that has good closing speed and is a strong tackler in space. Flashes an explosive first step with the ability to flip his hips around the edge and plays tough against the run. As he continues to develop as a pass rusher and learns to play with lower pad level, the high ceiling potential will pay off for which-ever school lands the 6’7" prospect. <em><strong>Evan Branch Haynes, 6’3" 281 Ibs., Sacred Heart Cathedral HS</strong></em> The University of Arizona Commit is a dominating interior defender with ideal size and strength to play at the power five level. Displays good first step quickness and a powerful punch at the point of attack while using good pad level and strength/power to violently shed blockers. Extremely physical against the run and is a strong tackler with two gap ability. Flashes good change of direction and agility for his size and plays with a good motor while flashing enough twitch to show potential strong pass rush ability at the next level. <em><strong>Chad Tasi, 6’1" 275 Ibs., De La Salle HS</strong></em> A defensive anchor for one of the most storied programs in the country and currently holds three division 1 offers (Southern Utah, Cal Poly and Northern Colorado), Tasi is going to have a huge senior season on both sides of the ball. In his junior season while playing a national schedule, the defensive tackle flashed his ability to play with intense physicality and power. The two-way standout displays a strong initial punch and good leverage/hand placement to keep blockers away from his body while showing good agility and quickness for his size. Displays good closing speed and is athletic enough to be a two-gap interior defender at the next level and flashes his relentless pursuit and strong tackling ability. High motor player that has flown under the radar in the recruiting trail this Spring but will end up with multiple FBS offers. <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="25218" first="Sioeli" last="Helu"], 6’3" 315 Ibs., Serra-San Mateo HS</strong></em> Currently holding 10 division 1 offers, Sioeli is a disruptive interior defender that is strong and physical at the point of attack and plays with good leverage and low pad level. Although dominant against the run, he will continue to develop hip fluidity and hands at the next level. Playing some of the top teams in Northern California, Sioeli’s high motor and dominance defending the run has set him up to have a huge senior season for one of the top teams in the talent rich state. </div> <div class="yj6qo"></div> <div class="adL"></div>          