Best Pass-Rushers To Know Gwinnett County
In today’s era of high school football, if you can’t get after the quarterback, you’re going to give up points left and right. With more pass-heavy offenses sparking up across the state, every defense needs someone who can get after…
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Continue ReadingIn today’s era of high school football, if you can’t get after the quarterback, you’re going to give up points left and right. With more pass-heavy offenses sparking up across the state, every defense needs someone who can get after the passer on a crucial 3rd down. There are plenty of guys in the state who can rush the passer with the best in the country, and some of the state’s best hail from Gwinnett County. Full of some of the state’s top programs, Gwinnett County is where the big boys play.
Here are the top pass-rushers to know from Gwinnett County in 2021…
Kaden McDonald: North Gwinnett
An absolute force in the middle of North Gwinnett’s defensive line, McDonald is a large prospect at 6-foot-3 325-pounds with excellent quickness off the ball. He can collapse the pocket from the inside as well as any interior lineman in the state, recording 12 sacks and 29 TFLs. He can dominate smaller opposing centers and knows how to beat double teams as well. He uses his strength and overall weight to his advantage and can get in the QBs face before he has time to throw the ball away. Even though he’s one of the heavier lineman in the region, McDonald is great in pursuit and has no problem chasing down the QB if a play starts to drag on. He’s one of the top defensive lineman in the entire 2023 class and holds early offers from Georgia, Michigan State, and Tennessee.
Zakye Baker: Norcross
One of the more productive defenders in the entire state, Baker helped lead an outstanding Norcross defense deep into the 7A playoffs. Not only was he a tackling machine with 155 total tackles, but he also made 8 sacks on the season from his hybrid safety/linebacker position. The athletic 5-foot-11 220-pounder is a hard-hitter with great instincts. He’s dangerous coming on a blitz and always finds a way to make it to the quarterback. He’s extremely quick for someone his size, and when he gets close, he’s going to secure the tackle. Baker was all over the field and showed he’s more than a true linebacker. He’s a versatile defender who can rush the quarterback as well as any non defensive lineman in the state.
Dion Crawford: Collins Hill
The Collins Hill Eagles had one of their best seasons in school history last year, and a big reason why was the play of their defense. A big reason why was the play of linebacker Dion Crawford who wrecked havoc all season on opposing offenses. Playing against not-notch offensive talent every week in 7A, Crawford still made a big name for himself as a sophomore as he made 11 sacks and totaled 124 total tackles. Crawford is quick and explosive off the edge and and used his athleticism to get around bigger, longer offensive tackles. He’s another versatile linebacker who holds offers from Florida State, Michigan, Virginia, among others.