#TN2024 Watch List: Top Defensive Prospects

The first annual Prep RedZone Tennessee 2024 Watch List was added to the site a few days ago and yesterday we took at some of the top prospects from the offensive side of the ball but now it's time to look at those hitters and cover guys on defense. While the offense may have several talented prospects on their side, the defense might have the deepest pool of talent with guys who already sport Power Five offers. Defensive Breakdown - Out of all the positions on the defensive side of the ball, the defensive line is the deepest group of all for the 2024 class thus far with several talented guys who could see offers sooner than later. Among the top names to know include [player_tooltip player_id="149842" first="Carson" last="Gentle"] (McCallie), [player_tooltip player_id="149290" first="Trevor" last="Anthony"] (Lausanne), [player_tooltip player_id="149318" first="Cortez" last="Chambers, Jr"] (St. Benedict's), [player_tooltip player_id="149298" first="Elijah" last="Anthony"] (Pearl Cohn) and [player_tooltip player_id="149299" first="Ryan" last="Robinson"] (Father Ryan) <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-135193" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/Ryan-Robinson-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> Gentle is the top name here as he already sports offers from Kentucky, Ole Miss and a few others. He is your hybrid pass rusher that can play defensive end or stand up at outside linebacker. - The crop of linebackers for the 2024 class is still in development, as in we have tons of guys out there who are still growing into their bodies while learning the game. What we do have is a few guys sitting at the top of list who are quite talented and could become household names very soon. Two guys who immediately jump out are [player_tooltip player_id="149381" first="Elijah" last="Cannon"] from Alcoa and [player_tooltip player_id="149382" first="Jack" last="Alley"] from Farragut. These two East Tennessee products already have the size and physical frame that fit well on the next level. A few others to note include [player_tooltip player_id="149385" first="Mason" last="Ball"] (Elizabethton), [player_tooltip player_id="149383" first="Mason" last="Curtis"] (Ensworth) and [player_tooltip player_id="149386" first="Tre" last="Johnson"] from Oakland High School. - Star power resides with the defensive backs and it all starts with Lipscomb Academy (CB/S) [player_tooltip player_id="149389" first="Kaleb" last="Beasley"]. The 6'1 versatile defensive back who has the traits to stay outside at cornerback has already become a known guy by adding multiple Power Five offers up to this point and he is far from done. Not to be out done by Beasley, the 2024 crop of defensive backs have several guys worthy of note that have the tools and upside to one day become college offered prospects. Those players include [player_tooltip player_id="149393" first="Devin" last="Rutherford"] (Bartlett), Brain Campbell (Austin-East), [player_tooltip player_id="149391" first="Turelle" last="Williams, Jr"] (Bradley Central) and [player_tooltip player_id="149390" first="Jaylen" last="Thompson"] and Terrion Grant from Siegel High School. This group will also grow larger over the coming months as more guys jump onto the radar after summer camps and action on the field this coming Fall football season. - The wildcards in the entire 2024 class are the “Athletes”. You have multiple guys listed under this category that have big time athletic traits and talents that can fit in a variety of positions but still need development in several areas. What is a fact is that we have more than a handful of guys listed here that have Power Five offers already and others on the verge of receiving them. The top guys to know here are [player_tooltip player_id="150278" first="Brandon" last="Winton"] (Knox. Webb), [player_tooltip player_id="150279" first="Marshaun" last="Bowers"] (King's Acad.), [player_tooltip player_id="150300" first="Kofi" last="Boggs"] (Centennial), [player_tooltip player_id="150277" first="Boo" last="Carter"] (Chatt. Central), [player_tooltip player_id="150276" first="Edwin" last="Spillman"] (Lipscomb Acad.), [player_tooltip player_id="150280" first="Isaiah" last="Cobbs"] (Bartlett), [player_tooltip player_id="150281" first="Ty" last="Clark III"] (FRA) along with many, many others. Notes - Overall for the 2024 class, what you have are a bunch of talented young men who are still raw and developing but already show traits and upside that continue making the state of Tennessee fertile recruiting grounds for all college coaching staffs across the country. - The collection of defensive backs are very talented and warrant any accolades that come their way but the depth of the defensive line along with their size, makes them the position group that is the most interesting at this moment in time. When you add the talent from the ‘24 defensive line along with the group from the 2023 class, you have a very, very deep and talented crop of linemen in the trenches that haven't been in this state in quite some time. The future looks bright for the state of Tennessee within the defensive line.