Five Under the Radar 2023 Defensive Ends to Watch

<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Now that I have wrapped up previewing some of the top senior offensive players going into this season, it is time to switch gears and focus on the young men that will try to stop them. Just like on offense, the state of Kentucky is filled with talent on the defensive side of the ball. On defense, elite pass rushers off the edge have become arguably one of the biggest needs on a football team with the passing game becoming more prominent. With that in mind, here are five defensive ends in the class of 2023 that have stood out to me so far.</span> <strong>Oryend Fisher</strong>| 6’6", 215 lbs.| Great Crossing High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12970444/6186f87b9a9c0e0f9cb53947">Junior Year Film</a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Oryend Fisher is one of many rising stars in the state of Kentucky. He already holds nine Division I offers from Louisville, Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Central Michigan, West Virginia, Memphis, Akron, Marshall, and Kent State. Fisher is a long, athletic defensive end with an impressive 81" wingspan. He has a quick first step that transitions into great natural speed off the edge. Once he gets to the quarterback, he is a very sound, physical finisher. Against the run, he uses his speed to get to the ball no matter where the play is going and is a very good open field tackler. When things are all said and done, Fisher should have a very long list of Division I programs to choose from.</span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="287560" first="Byron" last="May"]</strong>| 6’2", 240 lbs.| Rowan County High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11266106/619407fddfe298092c812fde">Junior Year Film</a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">May is coming off a very impressive junior season in which he finished second in the state with 15.5 sacks and was a finalist for Tri-State Defensive Player of the Year. He has a great combination of quickness and strength off the weak side edge, with a solid first step to gain an early advantage on offensive tackles along with the power to create movement into the pocket with his bull rush. May is also a very smart football player with the ability to sit and be patient to read the play and then get to the ball. He currently holds an offer from Morehead State but I fully expect more to come in the near future as he has been going to multiple of camps and visits while receiving a ton of interest from college coaches.</span> <strong>Kyan Miller</strong>| 6’2, 230 lbs.| Henry Clay High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16275995/614a54858cd3ee0a283d7e0b">Junior Year Film</a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Miller is one of the most intriguing prospects that I’ve watched in the Lexington area in his class. He has started to receive a nice amount of interest from college coaches with offers from Bluefield State, Duquesne, and Austin Peay. Miller is very impressive out of his stance with a great amount of explosiveness in his first step. He has the speed to run right by offensive tackles off the edge and shoot the inside gap when defending the run. Once he gets to the ball, he secures the tackle and is a very physical finisher, running his feet through contact. I also love the motor he plays with as he has shown the ability to run down ball carriers from the backside of the play. Miller is a two-sport athlete as he plays on the Blue Devils’ basketball team as well. Once his senior season officially hits, Miller should have a ton of eyes on him as I believe he is a true Division I talent. </span> <strong>Beni</strong> <strong>Tshita</strong>| 6’3", 242 lbs.| DuPont Manual High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13106013/617e2048f31dc909dc446842">Junior Year Film</a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Tshita is a name that has been popping up very frequently in the summer recruiting cycle. He currently holds offers from Marshall, UT Martin, Central Michigan, Austin Peay, and Eastern Kentucky while receiving interest from multiple other schools. Tshita plays with an incredible motor, exploding off the ball, making it very difficult for offensive tackles to even get their hands on him. He also has a very powerful bull rush, pushing offensive linemen into the backfield and causing all types of disruption. Once he gets to the ball, there is no getting away from him as he is a very sound open field tackler and finishes with a ton of physicality. Tshita will only see his list of offers expand from here and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some Power Five programs come after him if he starts off his senior season strong.</span> <strong>Dominic Shoulders|</strong> 6’3", 245 lbs.| DuPont Manual High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13072142/61f1905eda50ee0b90b5346c">Junior Year Film</a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">While Tshita has been receiving most of the attention on their defense, Manual has another very talented defensive end on the other side of the line. Shoulders is a strong, physical defensive lineman that does a great job of stacking offensive linemen and getting off blocks with ease. He is also a very physical tackler at the point of attack. Shoulders also uses his strength to create movement into the backfield with his bull rush and to hold his ground and set the edge effectively against the run. He currently holds one Division II offer from Fairmont State but I believe he can see more offers pile up with a strong summer and senior season. Shoulders has the ability/skill set to play at the FCS level at the very least in my eyes. </span>