2025 Watch List: Georgia Defensive Linemen, Part I

Whether it is the offensive or defensive front, being physical at the line of scrimmage is the key to being an elite football team. Without a strong and sturdy defensive front, the pressure will be put on the rest of the defense to make plays all game to keep up. Here are some 2025 defensive linemen in Georgia that turned some heads as a freshman. <strong>Zayden Walker</strong> | 6’3 220 | Schley County Walker is almost undoubtedly one of the most highly sought after 2025 recruits in the entire country. The younger brother of Auburn DL Zykevious Walker has already received offers from schools like Georgia, LSU, and Florida State. As a freshman, Walker finished with 40 total tackles and 4.5 sacks from the defensive line position. He also ran for over 1000 yards from the RB position. His ability to produce on both sides of the ball should speak volumes about his playmaking ability. When you turn on the tape, Walker has out-of-this-world athletic ability. He is extremely fast and explosive coming off the edge, which makes him almost impossible to block. His pursuit skills perfectly complement his athleticism and make him tailor-made to rush the passer. When it’s all said and done, Walker should end up being one of the most elite players in the entire 2025 recruiting class. <strong>FIlm:</strong>http://www.hudl.com/v/2FdTJ6 <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Blessed to receive my first ⭕️ffer from UGA <a href="https://twitter.com/SchleyRecruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SchleyRecruits</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AlfordCoach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlfordCoach</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoDawgs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoDawgs</a> <a href="https://t.co/IQe0HfrSXx">pic.twitter.com/IQe0HfrSXx</a></p> — Zayden Walker (@ZaydenWalker3) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZaydenWalker3/status/1451581244379213834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205469" first="Kaden" last="Ellis"]</strong> | 6’0 275 | Cass Ellis was one of the prospects we hosted at the Georgia Prep Redzone Showcase back in January, and he came away as one of the winners from that event. At 6’0 275, Ellis has a very stout and muscular build that allows him to generate power from his lower body. That power generates explosiveness which allows him to shoot gaps, rush the passer, and have a strong first step. He also has very active hands at the point of attack, so this is a guy that can win with both his finesse and power. On film, it looked as if his pad level can get high at certain points, but I have no doubt that he has grown out of that since then. Not a lot of new game film on him so will be intriguing to see how much he has grown as a player since last season. By all accounts is a hard worker who is going to continue to improve over the next few years. When you combine his effort with his explosiveness, it is only right to put him on this list. <strong>Film:</strong> http://www.hudl.com/video/3/14772751/6117f06f4797690100d3fa6a <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Excited to be headed to Nashville &amp; visiting <a href="https://twitter.com/VandyFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VandyFootball</a> on March 26th. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnchorDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnchorDown</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jovanhaye?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jovanhaye</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Lea?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Lea</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_LBJ_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_LBJ_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RivalsWoody?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RivalsWoody</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RWrightRivals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RWrightRivals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Mansell247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mansell247</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadSimmons_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChadSimmons_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyO_Johnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeremyO_Johnson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MattDeBary?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MattDeBary</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cjacksonPRZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cjacksonPRZ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DemetricDWarren?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DemetricDWarren</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CSmithScout?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSmithScout</a> <a href="https://t.co/sCydF2iw0o">pic.twitter.com/sCydF2iw0o</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="205469" first="Kaden" last="Ellis"] #51 (@kadenellis15) <a href="https://twitter.com/kadenellis15/status/1501729202525069317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Elyiss Williams</strong> | 6’6 | Charlton County Williams is a big difference-maker on both sides of the ball. On offense, he spends his time lined up at TE and split out at WR. At 6’6 and just below 220 pounds, it is safe to assume that Williams will grow into a big-time prospect on the defensive front. He plays at the EDGE spot, but he is versatile and big enough to put his hand in the dirt as well. While he is raw, that is something that is expected out of young players at his size and he has all the physical tools to be a big-time pass rusher. His long arms allow him to get off blockers easily and wrap up defenders easier. On top of that, he has great speed and pursuit skills which are beneficial for playing on the edge. Once he grows into his frame and becomes more physical and explosive, the sky is the limit for Williams. With a basketball background as well, it is only a matter of time before Williams ties together all of his tools. <strong>Film:</strong> http://www.hudl.com/v/2G5ERn <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Elyiss Williams 2025 6-7 220 TE DE Charlton County Ga Big Time Prospect <a href="https://twitter.com/Elyiss2025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Elyiss2025</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coachschuman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coachschuman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nucsports?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nucsports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/prospect?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#prospect</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/recruit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#recruit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/georgiafootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#georgiafootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/SEwo8lti2F">pic.twitter.com/SEwo8lti2F</a></p> — David Schuman (@CoachSchuman) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSchuman/status/1498774229810130948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Justus Terry</strong> | 6’5 | Manchester For a big man, Justus Terry is extremely versatile. On film, he plays mostly on the offensive and defensive line, but also lines up at other positions like HB in certain formations. Nonetheless, we expect him to end up playing on the line of scrimmage, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. At 260 pounds, Terry is already a force to be reckoned with on the defensive front. His sheer size and strength alone demand double teams, which allows him to free up his teammates. Terry lines up all over the defensive front on film, but we project him to end up on the inside, maybe at nose tackle. He has the size and strength to sit in gaps and collapse the pocket from the inside. Is explosive off the snap and plays with great pad level and has elite lower body strength which allows him to push blockers backward. Once Terry settles into his role on the defensive front, he is someone you should keep your eyes on. <strong>Film:</strong> http://www.hudl.com/v/2GK9XG <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Blessed to get invited to the Under Armour All-America Game🙏🏾❗️ The grind don’t stop.💯 <a href="https://twitter.com/DemetricDWarren?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DemetricDWarren</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheUCReport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheUCReport</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CraigHaubert?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CraigHaubert</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/blessedsa9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@blessedsa9</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MHSBlueDevils21?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MHSBlueDevils21</a> <a href="https://t.co/yRXNfUIMQs">pic.twitter.com/yRXNfUIMQs</a></p> — Justus “Jay” Terry (@JustusTerry80) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustusTerry80/status/1481071665916395522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp;