Class of 2022 Rankings – Defensive Newcomers

Jack Densmore

April 23, 2021 @ 07:00 PM

There are many new faces in the Prep Redzone Texas rankings for the Class of 2022 but these five defensive players are among many that deserve recognition for their talent. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="129068" first="Ian" last="Box"] (DL) - Seguin High School (Seguin, TX) Yet to receive an offer, according to Rivals, Box is one of the best defenders in Central Texas and is rising in the ranks in the state. In the 2020 season, he had 59 total tackles, 45 solo tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. He also earned unanimously first-team all-district honors. In his tape, Box displays strength and agility that are not commonly matched. He is able to blast through offensive lineman that square up on him and also manages to disrupt the quarterback, or straight up sack him time after time again. Box is quickly becoming a defensive lineman that will be scary in his senior season. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="60813" first="Tre" last="Emory"] (DL) - Mount Pleasant High School (Mount Pleasant, TX) District 9-5A Division II Player of the Year, Emory has received multiple offers including but not limited to Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Auburn. Much like Box, Emory has strength unmatched when going against an offensive line. He is either too fast to be blocked, or too strong to be blocked for long. He is a master at plugging up gaps that stops opposing running backs in their tracks. Last season, he had 48 total tackles, 31 solo tackles, nine tackles for a loss, six sacks and one fumble recovery. 3. [player_tooltip player_id="130705" first="Ke’Andre" last="Mathis"] (LB) - Benjamin O. Davis High School (Houston, TX) Although there are no stats recorded for Mathis, judging by the tape alone, he is quick and is always on the ball. One highlight displays his ability to block a field goal which not many players have the speed off the snap to do. He is also able to match up with receivers, which given the size of most linebackers, is a tough job to do. Mathis will definitely be one to watch this season as he continues to expand on his performances last season. 4. [player_tooltip player_id="130041" first="Isaiah" last="Ellis"] (LB) - Lakeview Centennial High School (Garland, TX) He was named to the all-district first-team in 2020 and also received District 10-6A Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2019. So far, he has received three offers from Air Force, Army and Texas Southern, but the list will likely grow as he continues into his senior season. Ellis is a master at creating turnovers and has a knack for getting after the quarterback, especially when they move outside of the pocket on a play-action play. Considering the rise of mobile quarterbacks, Ellis is a perfect counter to the athleticism of those quarterbacks. 5. [player_tooltip player_id="130706" first="Camron" last="Willis"] (LB) - Dayton High School (Dayton, TX) Willis is also a rising athlete and last season totaled 44 tackles, 26 solo tackles, nine tackles for a loss with 1.5 sacks and four hurries. Willis is a linebacker that is perfect at closing the gap and creating disruption for the quarterback. With his speed, the quarterback barely has any time to get set to make a throw before Willis is barreling down the field looking for a sack. Much like Mathis, Willis has the speed and athleticism to make big plays and is worthy of a look this season.