2022 Rising Stars: Defensive Ends/ Edge Rushers in Houston Area

The 2022 class is loaded with many very talented edge rushers. This is a list made of just a few standouts on film. Each one of these players contributed to their teams success and have promising futures. Each have, or will soon get attention for their play on the field and are expected to shine bright in their senior seasons. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Jonavon Dennis - Cypress Ranch</em></strong></span> Dennis is an intriguing prospect with much upside. He is a long athlete who uses his length as his strength. Dennis has very good reach and does not allow blockers to get into his body. He uses those long arms to fend off offensive tackles and to keep a visual on the opposing quarterback. Dennis can play as a standup backer or a hand in the ground end and he is a threat wherever positioned. He does a very good job at chasing down plays from the backside and using his frame to get through gaps. Dennis will be a top name on a very talented Mustang defense and I expect programs to take notice. <strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sean DuBose Jr. - Tompkins</span></em></strong> DuBose is an athletic edge player who makes plays in a blink of an eye. He possesses a great quick first step and can beat lineman with ease. DuBose Jr. can beat you off of the edge or even by slipping inside which makes him a problem. He has the speed as well as strength to get through the gaps and make plays. DuBose Jr. pairs an incredible swim move with his speed which makes lineman look foolish when he run passed them. He is a tenacious pass rusher and he does not stop until the whistle is blown. DuBose Jr. is another edge player with great size and length and will be valuable to any program. It will be exciting to see what he works on in the offseason and to see how much his game grows heading into next season. He will be another top name to watch get more attention. <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Chibby Nwajuaku - Cypress Ranch </strong></span></em> Nwajuaku is an excellent 3-4 defensive end. He has a great combination of strength and speed which gets the job done. Nwajuaka has an excellent motor which really catches the eye. He hustles and wants to be involved in every play and tackle. Nwajuaku has shown on film that he can beat his opponent by running by or going right through. He also has a great sense of using a counter move when everything else does not work. He slants into gaps with a purpose and is a secure tackler as well. Nwajuaku has a great feel for the game and will be a leader for his defense next season. Expectations will be high for him and that talent defense. <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>David Oke - Alief Hastings</strong></span></em> Oke has the potential to be an absolute stud going into his senior year. He possesses good size and very good athletic ability. Oke is quick off of the snap and shows excellent speed when chasing down the ball carrier. Oke shows great awareness and lets his instincts guide him to the ball. Plays the run game very well and can be a problem in one on one situations. Oke uses his speed and quickness to shoot through gaps and at times looks unblockable. There is much upside in Oke's game and he will be a player to watch throughout next season. <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Shun Maiden - Atascocita</strong></span></em> Maiden is another high motor player who shows great effort and has tremendous strength. Maiden can play on the edge as a contain guy, or can move to the inside of the line and be a complete disruptor. Maiden shows off his strength by pushing lineman and forcing his way into the backfield with ease. He does an excellent job of shedding blocks and locating the ball. Maiden never remains blocked for long and shows good speed in chasing down ball carriers as well as shooting gaps. Maiden should be a player who puts his name on notice throughout next season. <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Cavan Tuley - Tomball</strong></span></em> Tuley shows a good combination of quickness and strength. He is excellent in one on one situations where he has a tendency to show off his reach. Tuley does a great job of extending his arms, keeping blockers off balance, and using his quick to get around or even through lineman. He utilizes an excellent push and pull move on rushes and is relentless on his pursuit to quarterbacks. Tuley plays the run extremely well. He does not allow himself to be blocked and uses his speed to get to the ball. Tuley is a player who has the skill and talent to be a top name in the state and next year he has the opportunity to put it there. &nbsp;