Preseason Scouting Report: Defensive End

The following analysis is an in-depth look at a handful of the top defensive ends in the DMV area coming into the 2022-2023 season. Each of these incoming Seniors are uncommitted, and each are very deserving of D1 power 5 conference offers.   2023 6'6 235 DL – [player_tooltip player_id='187934' first='Desmond' last='Umeozulu'] – Flowers   Five star recruit [player_tooltip player_id='187934' first='Desmond' last='Umeozulu'] is finally getting the national recognition that he deserves, and he is primed for a huge season this year with the Flowers Jaguars (MD). There's no denying that Umeozulu has massive D1 potential. His size and first-step speed are a problem for every o-lineman at this level, and his ball pursuit speed is not far behind them. Umeozulu consistently swats and tips of the ball at the line of scrimmage, and that's clearly a product of his size and length in tandem. The sky is the limit for [player_tooltip player_id='187934' first='Desmond' last='Umeozulu'] this season and beyond, and coaches nationwide should remember the name.   2023 6'2 245 DL – [player_tooltip player_id='322377' first='Adrian' last='Littleton'] – St. John's   [player_tooltip player_id='322377' first='Adrian' last='Littleton'] was an integral part of St. John's nationally ranked and undefeated defense last season. His ability to read plays quickly and drop back into coverage, if necessary, is absolutely second to none, and, for that reason, the St. John's defense will be very dynamic again this year. Littleton contains the edge unbelievably well, and if his speed has improved in the off season then it's going to be a long season for ball carriers facing St. John's. Littleton exerts maximum effort on every snap, and he plays championship football. There's absolutely zero doubt in my mind that St. John's will be a powerhouse again this year, and, defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='322377' first='Adrian' last='Littleton'] will have a lot to do with that success.   Littleton and the Cadets will play a massive non-conference season opener tomorrow against Chaminade-Madonna at 8PM Eastern, and the game will be hosted at Thomas Aquinas as a part of the National High School Football Showcase.   <a href="https://t.co/8oBLqksPFK">https://t.co/8oBLqksPFK</a>   2023 6'5 205 DL – [player_tooltip player_id='260126' first='Dylan' last='Gooden'] – Good Counsel   As he tweeted this month, “I will be pushing back my commitment, recruitment is 100% open”, [player_tooltip player_id='260126' first='Dylan' last='Gooden'] is absolutely one of the best uncommitted defensive linemen in the entire DMV area. He had a monster season last year, and his dominance up front was crucial for the Golden Eagles' WCAC championship run. Gooden has truly seen it all over his three seasons, and he has played in some seriously high pressure and high stakes football games. He handles the pressure exceptionally well, in fact, he thrives in it. Gooden's experience will do him wonders this year, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ended the season as a five star recruit. [player_tooltip player_id='260126' first='Dylan' last='Gooden'] is the real deal, and you can watch him tonight @7PM Eastern against St. Joseph's.   <a href="https://t.co/lh7PeTFIEB">https://t.co/lh7PeTFIEB</a>   2023 6'6 230 DL – [player_tooltip player_id='146654' first='Neeo' last='Avery'] – Good Counsel   [player_tooltip player_id='146654' first='Neeo' last='Avery'] is an unbelievable athlete and he really demonstrated his football prowess last season. His sheer size and speed is just all-around unavoidable, and when you combined that with his prior experience at the quarterback position then you get a truly well-rounded defensive lineman like [player_tooltip player_id='146654' first='Neeo' last='Avery']. I expect Neeo to take an even greater leap to the next level this season, and that leap begins with short pass coverage. If Avery shows early signs of consistent pass play interruption, then I believe we should expect an All-American level season from him in 2022. The Good Counsel Golden Eagles are absolutely ironclad defensively with [player_tooltip player_id='146654' first='Neeo' last='Avery'] up front, and they're must watch tv tonight @7PM Eastern against St. Joseph's.   2023  6'2 230 DL – [player_tooltip player_id='260213' first='Zyir' last='Daniel'] – Calvert Hall   When you watch [player_tooltip player_id='260213' first='Zyir' last='Daniel'] rush the passer he flows passed the o-line so quickly and seamlessly that he makes it look easy. Let me tell you, what he's doing is extremely difficult, and he makes it look easy with his high level skill and muscle memory. Daniel achieved this mastery through his exceptional work ethic and dedication to getting better in the offseason. Calvert Hall achieved an impressive 9-3 record last season, and [player_tooltip player_id='260213' first='Zyir' last='Daniel']'s relentless ball carrier pursuit certainly had a lot to do with that success. He's an extremely versatile defensive end with an even higher ceiling, and I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he is 1st Team All-MIAA this season. Tune in tonight @7PM Eastern to watch [player_tooltip player_id='260213' first='Zyir' last='Daniel'] and Calvert Hall take on St. Michael the Archangel, and expect nothing but dominant football from the Cardinals.   <a href="https://t.co/Sd8xVaK6lg">https://t.co/Sd8xVaK6lg</a>

The following analysis is an in-depth look at a handful of the top defensive ends in the DMV area coming into the 2022-2023 season. Each of these incoming Seniors are uncommitted, and each are very deserving of D1 power 5 conference offers.