2023 UTR DL/EDGE Prospects to Know – Part 1
Here is part 1 of 2 showcasing five under the radar defensive line/edge prospects in the 2023 class from across the state of Texas. Joey Lightfoot – DT/NG/DE – 6’4″/295 – College Station (A&M Consolidated): Twitter: @joeylightfoot Lightfoot is a prospect…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingHere is part 1 of 2 showcasing five under the radar defensive line/edge prospects in the 2023 class from across the state of Texas.
Joey Lightfoot – DT/NG/DE – 6’4″/295 – College Station (A&M Consolidated):
Twitter: @joeylightfoot
Lightfoot is a prospect that I could see his recruitment really taking off this spring with the scheme versatility he brings due to his size, strength and movement that he flashes on film. Actually surprised he doesnt already hold offers. Looking at his frame you see he carries his weight really well and mostly in his thicker lower half with what looks like plenty of room to fill out up top. Looks to have decent length on his arms as well. Kid will be 310+ in no time at the next level. Last year he lined up all over Consolidated’s defensive front at numerous techniques. A really powerful kid with heavy hands. Rather lined up out on the edge where he manhandles OTs in 1v1 situations, as a NG or 1-Tech, where he drives centers into the QBs lap routinely, his power shows up all over his film. Flashes some twitch, suddenness and solid change of direction to his game, highlighted on one play where you see him throw a quick swim move before sticking his foot in the ground and quickly redirecting inside for a tackle. See him repeatedly fire those hands and just rag doll offensive lineman. Has the strength and size to withstand and split double teams. Also displays a solid short area burst especially for his size.
Speaking of his strength, he just placed 4th in the State Powerlifting meet with a 700-pound squat, 590-pound deadlift and 410-pound bench and he’s still got another full year to go before he graduates in 2023. So much to like here as he could fit in numerous techniques with the versatility he brings as a NG or even a 4i in a 3-4. Fully expect this guy to take off soon as he brings a Power 5 ceiling, no doubt in my eyes.
Caleb Emery – DE – 6’3″/232 – El Paso, TX (Eastlake):
Twitter: @CalebEmery12
It doesn’t matter where Emery lines up on the Eastlake defensive front, this dude makes plays regardless of the technique he lines up at, rather inside or outside. His numbers last season speak to that as well as he finished with 98-tackles, 9-TFLs, 9-sacks and 12 QBHs. Flashes twitch with an impressive burst and closing speed. Play at 1:20 stands out as you see him explode up field and avoid a cut block by the OT. Then shows his balance and flexibility getting his hand on the ground to stay on his feet and closes for a half sack on the QB. Love the relentless motor he brings and pursuit speed he displays. Physical at the point of attack and flashes some heavy hands at times as you see him utilize a hump move at 1:45 of his film also showing the strength he brings knocking the OG off his body before finishing the sack. He can definitely improve his pad level next season and his location doesn’t make it easy on him but see a future SDE at the next level that should already hold offers at this point. Another piece of news to know about Emery is the bloodlines he brings as his cousin is John Emery, the former 5-star RB prospect who is currently at LSU.
Kaden Fields – DT/DE – 6’2″/270 – Nacogdoches, TX (Nacogdoches):
Twitter: @icykado2
Fields is an explosive, sudden athlete who can go that has 3-technique written all over him with what he brings to the table as a 1-gap attacking, get up field and disrupt type. One of the first things you notice on his film is his impressive snap anticipation that shows up repeatedly mixed with his really quick 1st step regardless of what technique he’s lined up at. Like the short area burst he flashes, loose hips and ability to quickly redirect making him tough to handle in 1v1 situations. Kid is agile. On top of that he flashes some pop in his hands and the strength at the POA to set the edge or stand up to double teams even. Know he’s listed at 6’2″ but looks like he’s probably closer to 6’1″ and has a lower center of gravity that makes him that much harder to block. However, he does play high at times but when he fires off with leverage you see the power he can bring driving OL into the backfield. Once he learns to fire off low play after play and to be more violent with his hands, the disruptive ability he brings will only grow. And that’s saying something considering he finished his JR year with 58-tackles, 16-TFLs and 7.5 Sacks. Keep your eye on this one moving forward.
Brock Knapton – DE/OLB – 6’3″/225 – Cypress, TX (Bridgeland):
Twitter: @Brock_Knapton
Knapton is twitched up with legit speed off the edge that plays the game like his hair is on fire. Love the violent, aggressive manner to which he plays the game and the physicality he brings when he arrives at the ball. See him flash the ability to quickly and smoothly flip his hips to side step blocks while using his hands to clear OTs off his body for a free route on the ball or QB multiple times. Also see him show he can stab, bench press to create extension to set the edge before disengaging off blocks as well against bigger offensive tackles. He finished his Jr season with solid production with 41-tackles, 11-TFLs, 3-Sacks, 19-QBHs and 2-FFs. Looking forward to seeing how much he’s progressed flexibility wise as a SR as at times you see him not quite able to get low enough to get under blocks and bend that edge. That mixed with more consistent hand usage will only help to elevate his game. FCS programs should be all over this kid who brings a Group of 5 type ceiling in my opinion.
Aidan Ross – OLB/DE – 6’3″/215 – Crandall, TX (Crandall):
Twitter: @AidantRoss
Ross is an explosive & versatile prospect that flashes on film playing with his hand on the ground and as a stand up OLB as well. Has length on his limbs and the room on his frame to add mass. He’s a flexible athlete that brings solid hand usage off the edge. You see this on the 1st clip when you see him utilize a swipe-dip-rip move while bending the edge for a sack. Then on the 4th clip (while delayed off the ball and pops straight up) flashes a violent swipe before some impressive bend around the edge before completing th strip sack. You see the raw parts of his game as a pass rusher where he needs to work on being more explosive off the ball and not popping straight up but once he gets going flashes intriguing ability. Another part of his game I like is the violence in his hands as you see some knock back power at times. See him flash some ability to play in space with the closing speed he brings and lateral agility as well. Ross filled up the stat sheet as a JR with 82-tackles, 11-TFLs, 5-sacks, 8-QBH, 3-PBUs and 5-fumble recoveries. Could see things changing for him this spring or if he can get out to some college camps this summer. Remember the name as I see him having an even bigger SR year with added development to his game.