#TN2022: Post Signing Day Best Available - Defense

As we hit the final stage of recruiting season for the 2022 class, here we look at the top talent remaining available from the defensive side of the ball and where things currently sit with their recruitments. We have some definite D1, Power Five talent listed below and some guys who could be absolute steals! 1. (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="102020" first="Alex" last="Ford"] (6’0 185) - Father Ryan - Many collegiate coaches are missing the boat on Ford as this is not only a talented defensive back but a high quality young man that brings a lot of value both on and off the field. This is also a guy that could play every role within the secondary. He has a high FB IQ and the willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team succeed. Ford added several D1, FCS throughout the process but has bet on himself at this point as he is still looking for his college home. A few new schools are sniffing around, interested with Ford, so we shall see what happens over the next month with this high quality Nashville area defender. 2. (DT) [player_tooltip player_id="102006" first="Camron" last="Douglas"] (6’3 305) - Haywood <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-256682" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/cdouglas-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - Douglas is “the best” defensive tackle prospect available on the open market but he may have to take a longer path to get into the D1 ranks. Early on in this process, Douglas picked up several D1 and FCS offers but his grades may force him to sign with a JuCo program, however if he handles business there, expect to see this Tomcats linemen on television, playing for a D1 program soon. His power and mobility up front is already D1 caliber, so imagine if he keeps developing properly, Douglas could become an absolute, unblockable force in the middle. This guy is a worker too, so he brings a lot of value to a team and the football field. 3. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102132" first="Ben" last="Bolton"] (6’3 215) - Lausanne - Bolton burst onto the scene this year as a senior, sporting his best season yet and squarely putting himself on the D1 recruiting radar but he still sits available for the taking. Bolton has picked up a few D1, FCS offers through this process but went past early signing day unsigned. One reason why that could be is that Bolton could be signing with a service academy in February or he is waiting on some bigger D1 offers to arrive. This Lynx linebacker is a talented guy with size, arm length and the range college coaches like. It would be surprising at all to see some top level D1 schools extend him an offer before he finally signs. 4. (DE) [player_tooltip player_id="102030" first="Kendyle" last="Ball"] (6’3 230) - Davidson Academy - Over the past two seasons, Ball has been an absolute force on the edge, leading the Mid-State area and one of the best in the state at sacking the quarterback. The Bears senior edge rusher has packed on the weight and become better at stopping the run but Ball still remains un-committed and sits as a current hidden gem. Recruitment has been solid for Ball, adding multiple D1, FCS offers but he hasn’t pulled the trigger with anybody as of yet. The possibility is there for him to add more D1 offers before the next signing day but that is a wait and see approach right now. 5. (S) [player_tooltip player_id="153042" first="Isaiah" last="Bryant"] (6’2 185) - Alcoa <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-248286" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/ibryant-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - You talk about underrated, Bryant fits that bill in every way. The Tornadoes had an outstanding defense this season and Bryant was a big part of that. He sports college size along with long arms and athleticism to track down the ball anywhere on defense. Bryant is a versatile guy too as he could play either safety role or slide down to nickel. For some reason or another, Bryant has yet to pick up many offers but he certainly has the talent worth any look, especially from the D1, FCS college levels. This guy would be a steal for the team that takes a shot on this East Tennessee product. 6. (DT) [player_tooltip player_id="102067" first="Myles" last="Saulsberry"] (6’2 295) - Lausanne - Once committed to Southeast Missouri St., Saulsberry put himself back on the market in hopes of a better option, especially after putting forth a monster senior season where he led the West Tennessee region in sacks. An active and athletic interior linemen, Saulsberry is a workhorse that is constantly developing his craft and trying to become the best player he can be. This Lynx defender has picked up steam on the recruiting trail over the last few weeks but has yet to see those offers arrive. Saulsberry could be a steal for whoever banks on him and his abilities 7. (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="153060" first="Jamo" last="Wharton"] (6’2 185) - Hendersonville <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AGTG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AGTG</a> Blessed to receive an offer from Ole Miss <a href="https://twitter.com/CommandoFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CommandoFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BallHawkU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BallHawkU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NCEC_Recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NCEC_Recruiting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithScout?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSmithScout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OleMissFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OleMissFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NatlPlaymkrsAca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NatlPlaymkrsAca</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTBarr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTBarr</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachCPartridge?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCPartridge</a> <a href="https://t.co/bVWZZNU0gC">pic.twitter.com/bVWZZNU0gC</a> — [player_tooltip player_id="153060" first="Jamo" last="Wharton"] (@jameson_wharton) <a href="https://twitter.com/jameson_wharton/status/1469735694667067400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> - This past Fall season was a breakout year for Wharton as his play increased his recruiting stock and made him a legit D1 prospect. Just over the past month, Wharton has added multiple FCS offers along with a PWO from Ole Miss. Several D1 programs have been sniffing around this tall and long defensive back that shows some upside to possibly play on the outside at cover corner. Wharton has strong versatility as he could play either safety role or slide down to nickel. His size and length alone could make a D1 program pull the trigger on Wharton as defensive backs with his physical traits are in demand, especially over the next month. 8. (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="152995" first="RaaPhell" last="Mayes"] (6’3 215) - Knox. Catholic - Mayes is a very interesting prospect to target as this linebacker has just scratched the surface on his potential with his best football days ahead of him. This East Tennessee product has the size, length/radius along with the athleticism that college coaches like and look for. Mayes currently holds a couple of FCS offers along with several from the D2 level but this is a hidden gem that has D1 upside. This Fighting Irish prospect still has a ways to go before he reaches his maximum capabilities but the talent is there to mold and grow into a fearsome linebacker. 9. (DE/OLB) [player_tooltip player_id="151046" first="Matthew" last="Plunkett"] (6’4 220) - McCallie - If you are looking for a pass rusher with upside and ultra quickness off the edge, Plunkett is your guy! Over the past year, this Blue Tornado defender dedicated himself to the weight room and developing his craft on the field and it’s paid off as Plunkett has received some college offers but nothing worth commitment as of yet. This Chattanooga area prospect has potential as a college defensive end, outside linebacker that can cause havoc in the backfield or drop back into coverage. Plunkett still has some development to go but he is a talented young man with his best football ahead of him. 10. (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="102112" first="LaMarion" last="Pierce"] (6’0 175) - Marshall Co. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-248283" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/lpierce5-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - Ultra athletic with massive upside, Pierce sits on the open market as one of the prospects with some of the biggest college potential, especially at a position that is tough to find. Pierce shows the ability to play cover corner and with his natural athleticism, the Tigers senior defensive back could carve out a role on the Power Five level somewhere down the road. Pierce added several D1 offers throughout this process but at this point, he remains available and could be a steal for whoever takes a chance on him. If given guidance and time to develop, Pierce has All-American and NFL level abilities. Others to Know DL: [player_tooltip player_id="152977" first="Clay" last="Barrett"] - Cookeville, [player_tooltip player_id="101995" first="Gio" last="Davis"] - South Pitt, [player_tooltip player_id="102100" first="Will" last="Hamlin"] - Daniel Boone, [player_tooltip player_id="102069" first="James" last="Howard"] - McCallie, [player_tooltip player_id="102057" first="Joshua" last="Jones"] - USJ, [player_tooltip player_id="102064" first="Jyron" last="McClellan"] - Upperman, Isaiah McGaha - Knox. Central, [player_tooltip player_id="102035" first="Jordan" last="Shepherd"] - Peabody LB: [player_tooltip player_id="102107" first="Cade" last="Apple"] - Cookeville, [player_tooltip player_id="102051" first="Anthony" last="Brewer"] - Haywood, [player_tooltip player_id="159860" first="Caulen" last="Dunn"] - Collierville, [player_tooltip player_id="237939" first="Levi" last="Evans"] - Dobyns-Bennett, [player_tooltip player_id="153074" first="D.J." last="Grayson"] - Houston, [player_tooltip player_id="102045" first="Jalen" last="Jones"] - Brentwood Acad., [player_tooltip player_id="102033" first="DaCorian" last="Jones-Montgomery"] - Baylor, [player_tooltip player_id="102062" first="Braden" last="Kaiser"] - Siegel, [player_tooltip player_id="102111" first="Major" last="Newman"] - Alcoa, [player_tooltip player_id="232394" first="Ahmad" last="Paige"] - Memp. Central, [player_tooltip player_id="152997" first="Reggie" last="Reed"] - Brentwood Academy DB: [player_tooltip player_id="230089" first="Kenneth" last="Berry"] - White Station, [player_tooltip player_id="153041" first="Harrison" last="Craig"] - Collierville, [player_tooltip player_id="101988" first="Mikeece" last="Jones"] - Hillsboro, [player_tooltip player_id="102065" first="Jeremiah" last="Jordan"] - Cordova, [player_tooltip player_id="153043" first="Ellis" last="Ellis, Jr"] - Hendersonville, [player_tooltip player_id="102086" first="River" last="Katina"] - Independence, [player_tooltip player_id="162686" first="Chancellor" last="Lorick"] - Lipscomb Acad., [player_tooltip player_id="102097" first="Kaleb" last="Lyons"] - Brentwood Acad., [player_tooltip player_id="102087" first="Javis" last="Mynatt"] - Knox. Catholic, [player_tooltip player_id="102053" first="Brady" last="Pierce"] - Summit, [player_tooltip player_id="102081" first="Cam" last="Robertson"] - Whitehaven, [player_tooltip player_id="101979" first="Tyler" last="Woodard"] - Freedom Prep Ath: [player_tooltip player_id="153071" first="Hunter" last="Barnes"] - MUS, [player_tooltip player_id="102133" first="Isaiah" last="Burns"] - McGavock, [player_tooltip player_id="102098" first="Ben" last="Coggin"] - Nolensville, [player_tooltip player_id="102089" first="Jalen" last="Dale"] - MAHS, [player_tooltip player_id="153056" first="Cameron" last="Houston"] - Macon Co., [player_tooltip player_id="220557" first="Antonyus" last="Moore"] - Middle Coll. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-238979" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/imcgaha-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" />