BIG START: Dominant Pass Rushers To Know In 2022
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We’re three weeks into the 2022 season and it’s been a great start for some of the top pass rushers in Georgia. If you can’t get after the passer, it’s going to be tough to make it at the next…
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Continue ReadingWe’re three weeks into the 2022 season and it’s been a great start for some of the top pass rushers in Georgia. If you can’t get after the passer, it’s going to be tough to make it at the next level, but there are plenty of pass rushers in Georgia who have no problem wrecking havoc on the quarterback.
Which pass rushers are off to giant seasons so far?
Prep Redzone takes a look…
Aidan Butts – Stephens County
The North Georgia defensive end has dominated so far this season, getting to the quarterback four times against Habersham Central and four more times against Rabun County. He’s not the biggest or fastest EDGE defender in Georgia, but he’s a natural pass rusher who can get to the quarterback in a number of different ways. He’s quick off the snap and uses his hands well to get off blocks. He’s strong, has a nice spin move, and has a knack for finding the quarterback. When he does, he knows how to come up with a big hit. Getting in the backfield and making a sack isn’t easy, but Butts had made it look extremely easy so far this season. Landing four sacks in one game is a remarkable feat, but he’s done it twice now in 2022. If he doesn’t start getting double-teamed, he’s going to be one of the state’s leading sack machines at the end of the season.
Ezra Odinjor Ezra Odinjor 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Allatoona | 2023 State GA – Allatoona
One of the top pure pass rushers north of Atlanta, Odinjor has plenty of size at 6-foot-3 220-pounds and has tremendous burst off the line. He’s long, athletic, and has dominated early on this season. The Acworth native recorded two sacks in week one against North Paulding and added three sacks against a strong Kell team with a dynamic quarterback in week two. In week three, Odinjor got to the quarterback two more times against a quality Cartersville team. The productive three-star prospect has a handful of small offers right now, but if he continues to get after the quarterback the way he has the first three weeks, more school could jump on board soon. Look for his stock to continue to ruse throughout this season.
Kayden McDonald Kayden McDonald 6'0" | 290 lbs | DL North Gwinnett | 2023 State GA – North Gwinnett
As expected, four-star defensive tackle Kayden McDonald Kayden McDonald 6'0" | 290 lbs | DL North Gwinnett | 2023 State GA continues to dominate opposing offensive lineman. After a record-breaking season as a junior last year where he recorded 20+ sacks and 60+ TLFs, the massive senior has continued that trend through the first three weeks of the 2022 season. A giant defensive tackle at 6-foot-3 310-pounds, McDonald is lightning quick off the ball and has lived in the backfield his entire career. He had one sack in a week one win over McEachern, one sack in a week two win over Archer, and three sacks in a week three loss to Winter Park. He’s a rare talent at defensive tackle and will likely be unstoppable again the rest of the 2022 season. He’s one of the top interior defensive tackles in the country and holds offers from Florida, Michigan, Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson, Arkansas, among others.
Chris Herock – North Forsyth
Another strong interior lineman, the Cumming native is currently committed to Army and showed why he’s a D1 lineman last week against West Forsyth, making 4 sacks in a big victory over rival West Forsyth. Strong as an ox, Herock is a force to handle for any opposing linemen in the area and loves to get after the quarterback. At 6-foot-1 285-pounds, Herock moves well for his size and uses his leverage well go get off blocks and make plays in the backfield. He made one sack in week two against Forsyth Central, but he really dominated in week three. He now has 5 sacks on the season which is towards the top in the state of Georgia. He’s always been a little under the radar, but he’s tough to block each Friday night. Army is getting a tough, physical lineman in Herock, who can bench press over 430 pounds and squat over 560 pounds. He’s also an impressive pass rusher and will be getting after the quarterback for the rest of his senior season.