AAA Defensive Lineman Risers For 2021

Photo: Prep Redzone

Gordon Cohagan

February 27, 2021 @ 01:04 PM

These defensive lineman could see their stock rise within the state and start moving up college boards.   [player_tooltip player_id="103616" first="Tyrees" last="Smith"] Huntington High School 2022 Tyrees had a great junior season and showed potential at not only linebacker but I feel as a edge rusher as well. I put him on this list because of his athleticism with being a bigger linebacker. He shows great burst and can get downhill fast and make a tackle for loss consistently. I see him playing as an edge rusher and or outside linebacker that also rushes the passer because he shows a great ability to fight off defenders with being 6’3 and shows the ability to close in on the ball fast. Look for Tyrees to have a big senior season and start having coaches on his radar at both positions.   [player_tooltip player_id="58838" first="Jayson" last="Barnett"] South Charleston High School 2023 Jayson had a solid sophomore year and showed great upside. He showed great speed and agility when running down plays and showed great hustle as well. He has a strong motor and never gives up on a play often times using his speed and quick first step to beat offensive lineman into the backfield. He shows great hand technique and most times wins 1v1’s using both his technique and size to get under the pad level of offensive lineman. Look for Jayson to grow as a rusher with having a solid sophomore year under his belt and becoming a dominant defensive lineman for South Charleston in the fall.   [player_tooltip player_id="103839" first="Austin" last="Fleming"] Parkersburg High School 2023 Austin showed great potential in his sophomore season. He showed a great first step and often times beat offensive lineman using his athleticism and speed to rush the edge. He shows great hand technique and a raw ability to make plays off the edge causing pass deflections and negative plays. He has great speed and quickness and uses his length to bend the edge and wreak havoc in the backfield. Look for Austin to have a big year for Parkersburg and continue to develop into a dominant edge.   [player_tooltip player_id="58820" first="James" last="Scott"] Huntington High School 2022 James showed great potential his junior year and became a solid anchor for the Huntington defense. He showed the ability to hold the line of scrimmage and often times take up more than 1 block freeing his linebackers to make plays. He showed great quickness for being a bigger defensive tackle and showed the ability to collapse the pocket with his pass rushing ability and force negative plays. Look for James to become an even dominant anchor for Huntington and have colleges on his radar going into his senior season.