2022 Rankings Update Stock Risers: Defensive Line and TEs

As we near the end of our 2022 ranking update series and go onto the 2023 ranking update, we look at the class of 2022 defensive lineman and tight ends who rose their stock in our most recent rankings. <strong>No.23 DE [player_tooltip player_id="27567" first="Anthony" last="Smith"] - 6-5, 260-pounds - Shippensburg Area Senior</strong> You could also a lot of classic cliches to describe Smith. “A freak of nature”, “a man amongst boys”, and so on and so forth. No matter how you put it, Smith is one of Pennsylvania’s top talents regardless of position. Smith, we have listed at 6-foot-5 but his most recent HUDL tape bills him at 6-foot-7 with time still left for him to grow, it’s easy to project where Smith could end up when he’s done growing. That being said, the Shippensburg standout is a player who is going to continue rising up our lists. Smith on the field shows everything you look for in a dominant defensive end, size, strength, agility, burst, etc and while he could use more burst and speed, that will come in time as he transitions to college and works in collegiate  strength and conditioning programs. He uses his size to his advantage, easily beating offensive lineman and uses his length well to wrap up defenders that most defensive ends wouldn’t be able to get to. He reminds me a lot of recent Penn State defensive end and current Carolina Panther, Yetur Gross-Matos. If he could end up adding some more speed to his game, Smith’s potential at the next level is off the charts. The only real question for Smith is will he stay at defensive end or move inside at the next level. Either way, he’s going to end up a Power Five defensive lineman. <strong>No.31 DT [player_tooltip player_id="87833" first="Isaiah" last="Boyd"] - 6-3, 265-pounds - The Haverford</strong> The Haverford standout only played in three games this season but the 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive tackle looked powerful and quick in his limited action. Already 265-pounds, Boyd is already filling in well to be a three-tech defensive tackle at the next level. Among the things that stand out most for Boyd is a quick first step. He also shows a quality move set as well as a strong motor, willing to track down ball carriers from across the field. Already receiving an offer from Old Dominion, plenty of other Group of Five offers should be in the works for Boyd in the future. <strong>No.51 DT [player_tooltip player_id="27661" first="Lavon" last="Johnson"] - 6-foot-4 320-pounds - Allentown Central Catholic</strong> The Allentown Central Catholic defensive tackle is our 12th ranked defensive lineman but is a top-5 defensive tackle in the state. Johnson had a breakout junior season for the Vikings and earned multiple postseason accolades for his efforts. He shows a great understanding of how to use his size and skill set to his advantage, often overpowering offensive lineman but also using his speed and length. He shows really good speed for somebody at his size, not being afraid to chase down defenders from behind, showing great closing speed while doing so. He still has a few points of his game that will need work at the next level but overall, Johnson shows the talent of someone who could continue to rise up our rankings in the future. Already receiving interest from FBS programs, he could receive even more this offseason if he is able to take advantage of camps. <strong>No.59 TE [player_tooltip player_id="92733" first="Thomas" last="Chernasky"] - 6-foot-5, 235-pounds - Western Wayne</strong> Already nearing the size of collegiate tight ends, Chernasky is an intriguing prospect. Receiving wise, he presents a nice big and strong target in the middle of the field for his quarterback. He didn’t have many deep routes in his highlight tape but there is some burst and speed there as well as he showed in his tape while playing linebacker. He has good hands and shows the ability to make catches with multiple defenders on him and hold onto the ball following immediate contact. Also possesses a good blocking skillet as well with a knack for finding ways to gain leverage on defenders. He is someone who would likely be able to take advantage of college camps where he would be able to show more of what he could do in the moderate to long passing game. <strong>No.97 TE [player_tooltip player_id="95799" first="Aiden" last="Mack"] - 6-foot-4 215-pounds - Wyomissing</strong> Mack is our third-ranked tight end in the 2022 class and is a well balanced tight end. At 6-foot-4 and 215-pounds or so, Mack has quality size though more weight will have to be added to his frame over the next few years. He shows quality blocking skills in rushing situations while his route running and hands appear to be quite good as well. He isn’t a tight end who will necessarily have a ton of flashy plays but he is one who does a lot of things really well. Part of that may be due to the Wing T offense that he plays in for the Spartans. Adapting to the college game will be easier for Mack than some other tight ends, however, thanks to his already good blocking skill set. He is receiving Group of Five interest so far with offers from Akron and UConn. &nbsp;