Futures Combine: PRZ Next Top Defensive Line Performers
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Not to be lost with all the FBU action going on in Naples, Fla. in late December, the Futures Combine saw north of 225 athletes from all over the country compete. Athletes from the classes of 2029 (5th grade) through…
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Continue ReadingNot to be lost with all the FBU action going on in Naples, Fla. in late December, the Futures Combine saw north of 225 athletes from all over the country compete. Athletes from the classes of 2029 (5th grade) through 2025 (9th grade) competed for a host of awards, opportunities and invitations to national events. In addition to Prep Redzone Next, representatives from FBU, Under Armour and the All-American Bowl on NBC were in attendance checking out some of the brightest young stars in the country.
With the exception of kickers/punters and long snappers, all the positions were on display. Athletes were put through the combine testing and one-on-one competitive drills, designed to allow athletes to show off what they can do. Without further ado, here’s a look at the defensive linemen that stood out.
The Big Dog
Daverin “Deuce” Geralds had himself an incredible showing at the combine. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder showed off a very athletic frame and tested off the charts. When it came time for one-on-one’s and other drills where he competed against another athlete, Geralds flipped a switch. I didn’t see him lose a single rep throughout the combine. In my opinion, this 2026 Georgia prospect will have offers before he’s out of school for the summer.
The Next Best
Dominic Funke of Massachusetts won me over in a big way at the Futures Combine. He’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds but he looks both taller and heavier to me. A long, lean defensive end prospect, Funke appears to be the prospect to know in 2026 out of New England. For his effort at the combine and what he did in the FBU National Championship tournament with team Mass Elite, he was selected to the 2022 Freshman All-American Bowl.
KJ Gillespie was another athlete who certainly got my stamp of approval over the week in Naples. Out of all the athletes that impressed me, Gillespie may have the highest upside out of everyone. He showed off a great frame, long limbs and some of the best feet on a big man I saw at the combine. He has the length to play defensive end, but also the mass and strength to play inside as well. He’s going to be an interesting prospect to watch develop.
Another promising prospect out of Georgia, Bryce Perry-Wright opened some eyes at the combine. A member of the three-time FBU National Champion GFL team, he often gets overshadowed a bit by the likes of Geralds and FBU National Middle School Player of the Year finalist, Tyler Atkinson Tyler Atkinson 6'3" | 185 lbs | LB Grayson | 2026 State GA . Perry-Wright shares the defensive line with those two and he used the combine as his personal coming out party. An explosive first step, combined with 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds of muscle, made him a tough prospect to stop.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but another Georgia prospect stood out at the combine in James Morrow. Morrow, who played sparingly on the defensive line with Team GFL, showed what he can do when given the chance. While he was a dominant offensive tackle during the FBU National Championship, he got some work on the other side of the ball. He measured in at 6-foot-3 and a good-looking 230 pounds. He has the potential to be a prospect on both sides of the line or even tight end. Keep an eye on him.
The Youth Movement
Just a 7th grader, in the class of 2027, I really liked what I saw out of DJ Rumph DJ Rumph 6'0" | 170 lbs | DL Undecided | 2025 GA . Rumph, an athlete from Georgia, has all the makings of a future P5 defensive end. Already 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, he dominates the local competition and then put it all on display at the combine. The bloodlines check out as well, as his father, multiple uncles and cousins play or played in the NFL. He’s hard to miss with his hair flowing out of his helmet and offensive linemen laying in the dust. He’s going to be a good one.
Another 2027 prospect with a huge amount of potential is Zane Rowe out of Texas. Rowe is listed at 6-foot-4 and while I don’t think he’s quite that tall yet, he’s every bit of 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-3. The two-sport standout (basketball) is a long, aggressive kid who was borderline unblockable during one-on-ones. Once he was able to extend his arms and lock them out, he controlled the battle and had his way with the offensive tackle forced to block him. I love his frame and think he’ll be an early offer kid, possibly as earlier as next year when he’s in eighth grade.
Michael Gibbs out of Virginia also caught my eye at the combine. The big body was somewhere in between the height of Rumph and Rowe, but was the biggest of the 7th grader prospects. Gibbs showed off the versatility to play defensive end or defensive tackle, but I think his longterm future is at defensive tackle. He has good feet and pretty decent quickness for a kid his size, but he’s already starting to fill out his frame–which I took a liking too. Obviously needs to get stronger and that will certainly come, but he’s going to be a really good one if he keeps developing.
The Best of the Rest
Central Florida was represented well by 2026 prospect, Jake Kreul. Kreul measured in at 6-foot-3 and 177 pounds, which was down from his normal 185 he said. Regardless, good length on him. Needs to get in the weight room, but he passes the eye test and has next-level ability.
Christopher Talabi-Oates from Massachusetts showed some glimpses of promising play. Measured in at 6-foot and 210 pounds, he has some growing to do–but that will come. The 2026 prospect is a very smart kid who has choice of private schools in New England to choose from.
Georgia’s Christian Webb-Scott was impressive for being just a 2027 prospect. He’s a fluid athlete that moved very well for being a defensive end–to the point, where I’d love to see him take some reps as a linebacker. Good muscle on him already and very smooth feet.
Jem’ion Antoine out of Maryland made a couple big plays during one-on-one’s. Billed at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, he has nice size for a 7th grade defensive tackle. The 2027 interior guy gets by on size and strength at this point, but makes the most of his natural gifts. Way too early to tell where his ceiling is, but he looked good.