2022 Elite Pass Rushers: Greater Bay Area

<em><strong>The Bay Area is home to some very talented pass rushers that cause havoc from both the inside and the edge of the defense while winning with both speed, power and twitch. Some of these prospects have multiple offers, and some are still waiting for their first and are coming off huge 2021 Spring seasons. The players listed below are just some of the top tier pass rushers across the Greater Bay Area in the 2022 class. The 2023 class of pass rushers will be released later this week. </strong></em> <hr /> &nbsp; <em><strong>DE, [player_tooltip player_id="141885" first="Miles" last="Bailey"], Benicia HS</strong></em> Bailey is one of the top two edge rushers in Northern California and has been dominant for his entire high school career. Currently committed to play for Fresno State, he could potentially see some late Power Five offers come his way in the coming months. He has ideal size and is a powerful prospect possessing a nice combination of strength and speed off the edge while winning with initial strike and raw strength at the point of attack. While pass rushing, he gets to the back of the pocket in a hurry and shows a quick use of hands and good open field tackling ability. A balanced edge player, he projects out as a strong-side defensive end in college. &nbsp; <em><strong>DE, [player_tooltip player_id="141914" first="Jahzon" last="Jacks"], Saint Marys HS</strong></em> Jacks is the other top edge rusher in Northern California and is also committed to play for the Bulldogs. He moves very well for his size and is quick off the snap while showing nice closing speed when collapsing the pocket. A long and rangy player, he looks comfortable in space and can track down ball carriers from multiple different angles while violently getting off blocks and always having active hands upon contact. He is a high motor/effort player that will make a nice impact in the Mountain West. &nbsp; <em><strong>DT, Nicolas Quintero, Pittsburg HS</strong></em> One of the most dominant interior defensive lineman in the entire Bay Area, Quintero had a stellar Junior season and will only continue to polish his game for his Senior year. Although a bit undersized, he is very explosive at the point of attack and plays with nice twitch and extreme physicality. On tape, he wins with low pad level and exploding through his hips out of his stance while locking out blockers with nice extension and closing in a hurry in the short area. He is a high motor player that can find a home at the next level, regardless of height. &nbsp; <em><strong>DE, Kanye Smith, Dixon HS</strong></em> Smith is a good athlete that can play on both sides of the ball but will find his home on the defensive line or rush end at the next level. He is a high motor player with natural instincts and understands the game. During his Junior season, he showed good movement ability off the ball with a quick initial step and got his hands on blockers in a hurry while violently shedding without losing ground and playing stout against the run. When needed, he can flip his hips and crash the pocket and flashes closing speed and nice tackling ability backside. &nbsp; <em><strong>DE, Jordan Elijah-Fokatou, Palo Alto HS</strong></em> A long armed defender, the 2022 prospect is coming off a great Junior season for one of the Bay Areas top teams. He is a very active player that uses his length to win at the point of attack and get off blocks, while showing good mobility for his size and plays with a good motor. He is balanced against the run and reads blocks well while understanding angles and hand placement when defeating doubles, downs and reach blocks. Although not holding any offers yet, that should change in the coming months and through his Senior season. &nbsp; &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Other Top Tier Pass Rushers...</strong></em></span> <em><strong>DE, Giovanni Mencarini, Rancho Cotate HS</strong></em> <em><strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="141940" first="Sam" last="Ross"], Miramonte HS</strong></em> <em><strong>DT, Mone Langi, Menlo-Atherton HS</strong></em> <em><strong>DT, Amari Comier, Clayton Valley Charter HS</strong></em> <em><strong>DT, Nelson Hemmert, Jesuit HS</strong></em> <em><strong>DE, [player_tooltip player_id="25347" first="Zack" last="Mercado"], Vacaville Christian HS</strong></em> <em><strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="141911" first="Justin" last="Eklund"], Folsom HS</strong></em> <em><strong>DE, [player_tooltip player_id="142000" first="CJ" last="McMillan"], Capital Christian HS</strong></em> <em><strong>DT, [player_tooltip player_id="25350" first="JJ" last="Tofaeono"], De La Salle HS</strong></em> <em><strong>DE, Ta’Jon Bloomer, Live Oak HS</strong></em> <em><strong>DT, Darius Fonteno, Skyline HS</strong></em> <em><strong>DT, Tyler Henry, De La Salle HS</strong></em>