RANKINGS UPDATE: 2024 New Defensive Additions

The state of Georgia produces high-level prospects as well as any state in the country. We’re seeing younger and younger players standing out and getting varsity playing time at an earlier age. After last fall, it’s easy to see all of the impressive 2024 prospects who continue to rise up the Prep Redzone rankings. Here are some 2024 prospects on defense who entered the latest Prep Redzone rankings.… &nbsp; <strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kingjoseph-edwards/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="220733" first="KingJoseph" last="Edwards"]</span><span class="info-box show"><span class="player-details"><span class="first-name">KINGJOSEPH</span><span class="last-name">EDWARDS</span><span class="measurables">6’4" | TE</span><span class="high-school">Hebron Christian Academy | 2024</span></span><span class="player-rank"><span class="state-rank rank-box"><span class="number-rank"><span class="pound">#</span>18</span><span class="rank-type">STATE</span></span></span><span class="state-abbr">GA</span></span></a> - DE - Hebron Christian Academy</strong> A standout two-way player from Hebron Christian Academy in Gwinnett County, Edwards was outstanding as a sophomore, making plays at both tight end and defensive end all season. A bigger, jumbo athlete at 6-foot-4 230-pounds, Edwards has plenty of athleticism in that type of frame, making him a stout defender on the edge. He’s long, can get off blocks with ease, and has room to still add more muscle. He’s quick off the ball and can already beat his opponent in the trenches based on size and strength alone. His best football is still ahead of him, and many feel he could be a breakout EDGE defender in the region next year. He already holds offers from Arkansas, N.C State, Florida State, among others. &nbsp; <strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/eddrick-houston/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="220734" first="Eddrick" last="Houston"]</span></a> - DL - Buford</strong> One of the hottest 2024 prospects in the state, Houston is coming off a state-championship season for the Wolves and made a giant impact off the edge in the championship game earlier this month. A dynamic jumbo-athlete at 6-foot-3 210-pounds who can play on the edge and catch passes as a tight end, Houston stands out physically and has shown to be a natural edge defender who can stuff the run or get after thee quarterback. He has elite quickness off the ball and can disrupt a play in the backfield at any point. He’s long, athletic, and shows explosiveness for his size and age. He already holds a few impressive offers early on, and this week he added two more big ones from Penn State and Michigan State. Look for him to continue to rise in the 2024 rankings over time. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="220730" first="Justin" last="Greene"] – DE - Mountain View</strong> Looking for an edge defender who already looks the part physically? [player_tooltip player_id="220730" first="Justin" last="Greene"] is your guy. Already a “first guy off the bus” type as a rising sophomore, the 6-foot-4 235-pounder is explosive off the ball and has a great frame, using his length to easily get off blocks from most opposing offensive tackles. Greene has plenty of time to add more weight and muscle, giving him a chance to overpower defenders while keeping his athleticism. He can reach out and grab the ball carrier and knows how to sling them to the ground. He’s a hard hitter when unblocked but knows how to get off them on the edge to help against the run. There’s a lot to like about his game, and his best football is ahead of him. He has some early offers from Boston College and Georgia Tech, but more should be on the way as he continues to develop over the next few years. Greene made 57 tackles last fall with five sacks. &nbsp; <strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jaqualin-birdsong/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="220736" first="Jaqualin" last="Birdsong"]</span></a> - LB - Troup County</strong> One of the top young defenders in West Georgia, Birdsong is a quick, explosive, versatile defender who can line up on the edge or behind the defensive line at linebacker. He sure doesn’t look like a sophomore on film as he was a tackling machine and really laid the hammer on ball carriers in the area. He’s a sure tackler, he gets into the backfield with ease, and he’s put together physically at 6-foot-1 180-pounds. He can be incredibly quick off the ball and can be a game-wrecker at times, blowing up plays and ending drives with big TFLs. He’s a prospect who is only getting better and will see his stock continue to rise over time. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="220728" first="TA" last="Cunningham"] - DE - Johns Creek </strong> As a sophomore this season, Cunningham has made 51 total tackles, 13 TFLs, and three sacks. He has an ideal frame for a young defensive lineman at 6-foot-5 260-pounds with natural athleticism that allows him to dominate older players. He’s got long arms, making him so tough to block for opposing linemen. He’s a force on the edge who can collapse an entire side of the line. He holds early offers from Texas, Georgia, Auburn, among others.