2023 Defensive Prospects to Watch

We have entered the month of July and we are one step closer to the start of football season. However, the dead period is going into week the second week and we are going to look at some 2023 defensive prospects to keep an eye on this season. We will also throw in a sleeper or two to pay attention to as the football season approaches. <strong>Quincy Rhodes Jr.-Defensive Line-North Little Rock</strong> The North Little Rock prospect is one of the most versatile prospects in the class of 2023. Rhodes Jr. can play any position along the defensive line; however, he can also drop back and play the linebacker spot. What sticks out is just how quick he is, Rhodes Jr. does an excellent job of using his speed to disrupt the opposing offense. The North Little Rock prospect has already verbally committed to Arkansas and will look to close out his high school run with a dominant season and a deep playoff run. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153619" first="Braden" last="Jones"]-Linebacker-Bentonville West</strong> One player that has opened eyes two years in a row has been Bentonville West linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="153619" first="Braden" last="Jones"]. Jones has excellent speed at the linebacker spot. He has a forty time of 4.36 to his credit and his play on the field has been impressive. Jones is disruptive in both the run and the passing attack from the opposing offense. Jones is a linebacker that is always around the football. I look for him to have a strong season for the Wolverines this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="154251" first="Romelo" last="Bell"]-Defensive Line-Pulaski Academy</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="154251" first="Romelo" last="Bell"] has the ability to explode out of the stance and keep the opposing offensive lineman off balance. What sticks out about Bell is he has that rare mix of power and speed that can make life extremely difficult for opposing offensive coordinators. Bell has scholarship offers from Central Arkansas and Army with the potential to rack up some more over the next few weeks. He uses his strength well when it comes to the pass rush, and I expect him to have a big season for the Bruins this season. <strong>Deuce Cooper-Defensive Back-Fayetteville</strong> Deuce Cooper is going to finish his high school career in Fayetteville. Cooper will give the Bulldogs a player in the secondary that can easily make plays on the ball. He has the speed that you look for in the secondary to stick with opposing wide receivers. Cooper is a defensive back that has the hands to jam at the line of scrimmage. Cooper has received a scholarship offer from Bethune Cookman and he has the potential to earn some more over the next few months. <strong>James Kenan Sneed-Linebacker-Heber Springs</strong> James Kenan Sneed is one of my sleepers going into the 2022 football season. Sneed is a player that is always around the ball. He racked up over 100 tackles last season and looks to repeat that performance this season. Sneed is a prospect that has flown under the radar; however, I expect another strong season from the Heber Springs linebacker. The young man does not quit on plays and the 2022 season has the potential to be an impressive one for Sneed. &nbsp;