2022 Rankings Breakdown: DL
We’ve concluded our final look at the offensive side of the ball for the class of 2022 from a rankings perspective. Now that National Signing Day has come and gone it is time to do the same for the defensive…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve concluded our final look at the offensive side of the ball for the class of 2022 from a rankings perspective. Now that National Signing Day has come and gone it is time to do the same for the defensive side.
6 of the top 15 players in the state called the defensive line home in what was an impressive class up front in the Magnolia state.
Jaheim Oatis Jaheim Oatis 6'4" | 345 lbs | DL Columbia | 2022 State MS has signed the dotted line to take his talents to Tuscaloosa. The inside technique, run stuffing lineman should be able to contribute from day one for the Tide, specifically in goal to go situations. Oatis has the most size of any lineman for the class and knows how to use it. Future NFL nose guard potential is evident.
Another guy that projects as an interior lineman is Aaron Bryant Aaron Bryant 6'4" | 300 lbs | DL Southaven | 2022 State MS who will also be taking his talents out of the state to the Longhorns of Texas. Bryant plays with tremendous leverage and is also dominant in the run game. It will be interesting to see if the Longhorn staff tries to grow him into a true 0 technique on the nose or leaves him as is.
Great length jumps off the tape of Zxavian Harris Zxavian Harris 6'6" | 310 lbs | DL Germantown | 2022 State MS and garnered the attention from his college home at Ole Miss. Harris shows untapped potential and will be a contributor in both the run and pass game. Harris has the frame that opens eyes the minute he steps off the bus.
Jacarius Clayton Jacarius Clayton 6'5" | 255 lbs | DL Tupelo | 2022 State MS and Donterry Russell Donterry Russell 6'4" | 190 lbs | DL Provine | 2022 State MS both will be playing college ball in Starkville for Mississippi State and both show promise. Clayton is the more filled out of the two and probably has the better chance to play early in his career due to that size. Russell has room to bulk up but shows tremendous agility and speed off the end. Russell over time should grow into a real pass rush problem for the opposing line.
South Alabama secured a great February signing day signature from RJ Moss RJ Moss 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Biloxi | 2022 State MS and will expect big things from him on the defensive end. The Biloxi native wins with his explosiveness off the ball.
Kalvin Dinkins Kalvin Dinkins 6'3" | 310 lbs | DL Lake | 2022 State MS is another name that saw his recruitment blow up late and has potential to turn heads for Mississippi State moving forward. Dinkins has tackle size but athletic ability that allows him to contribute in all phases of d-line play.
Another name that was somewhat under-recruited for this cycle was Lafayette County’s DJ Burgess DJ Burgess 6'3" | 250 lbs | DL Lafayette County | 2022 State MS . Genetics are definitely on the side of Burgess. Southern Miss has got a good one here.