Defensive Newcomers to the Top Fifty

As on the offensive side of the ball, there are some defensive standouts that broke into the top fifty rankings that were under the radar in the class of 2022. These are the defensive players who have emerged as some of the most talented athletes in the latest rankings. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34450" first="Adam" last="Trick"]     6’4” 220     LB     Dayton Wayne</strong> Trick was one of those under the radar players that jumped into the top fifty rankings as his talents became better known and analyzed. He jumped into the twenty-sixth overall and the third best linebacker spot in the rankings. This tall and rangy outside rusher is able to kick it in to a different gear when getting after quarterbacks. Trick is practically impossible to block coming from the edge due to his burst off the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123250" first="Antwan" last="Blackshear"]     6’3” 310      DL     Trotwood Madison</strong> Blackshear has emerged as one of the state’s best defensive linemen moving into the number thirty nine overall position and the fifth at his position. Blackshear is quick off the ball and has a powerful first strike, stalemating the opposition. He excels as a pass rusher with an impressive inside move to come clean. He can play nose guard or defensive tackle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34421" first="Ira" last="Sampson"]     5’10” 210     LB     Willoughby South</strong> This versatile player is exceptional both sides of the football, but his toughness and athleticism moved him from the obscure to the number forty overall player in the top fifty. Sampson, the fifth ranked linebacker in the state, is a determined blitzer from the inside or outside linebacker position. He is just as good a pass defender as rusher. <strong>Dakari Frasier     6”4” 245     DL     Pickerington Central</strong> Pickerington Central is traditionally one of the strongest football programs in the state and it has a number of top athletes in its 2022 class. Frasier is one of those exceptional players that moved into the top fifty of the rankings, currently the forty-fifth best player and the sixth best defensive lineman. He displays a great combination of speed, agility, and range in tracking down the football. He is a true competitor and makes plays all over the field. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="129171" first="John" last="Jackson"]     6’3” 260     DL     Barberton</strong> Jackson is the seventh defensive lineman to break into the top fifty, coming in at number forty-eight. Offensive linemen find it easier to move a block of granite off the line of scrimmage than Jackson. He is strong in the core and upper body shrugging off single blocks and splitting double teams. Jackson has excellent agility and can make plays on the perimeter as well as along the line.