Six 2023 DEs to Offer ASAP
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The world of recruiting can be tricky to navigate, making it common for supremely talented players to slip through the cracks. As we head into the end of the regular season, it is time to look at a few seniors…
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Continue ReadingThe world of recruiting can be tricky to navigate, making it common for supremely talented players to slip through the cracks.
As we head into the end of the regular season, it is time to look at a few seniors who have stood out as valuable prospects in one of the more under-recruited positions in the state, many of whom are without offers.
This article will look at six senior defensive ends who deserve to be offered right now.
Smith-Combs is the perfect example of a head-turner who quickly steals the spotlight with his athleticism and 6-foot-6, 255lbs frame. He can rush from the outside edge by wrong-arming the offensive tackle and bending around the corner to apply pressure in the backfield. His versatile athleticism allows him to stunt inside and bring pressure to the interior of the offensive front. Smith-Combs recently received an offer from Colorado State to go with the one he holds from Northern Colorado, making him a player to offer now before he goes elsewhere.
33 TCK, 10 TFL, 5 QB HUR, 3 FF, 3 FMB REC, 2 sacks, 1 FG BLKrn
Turnbull is a budding prospect with a high ceiling. He has outstanding power and a motor that doesn’t quit. His ability to fight through blockers while chasing down quarterbacks and running backs in the backfield is extremely impressive. He does an excellent job at changing directions and using his power and quickness to be a disruptive defender. Turnbull is a two-way player who rarely comes off the field, making him a versatile prospect with the experience that makes him worthy of a closer look.
26 TCK, 6 FF, 6 sacks, 3 TFL, 2 FMB RECrn
So far, Bird has proven to be one of the more improved defensive ends on this list. What appeared to be impressive raw talent last year has turned into well-sharpened skills accompanying his advanced understanding of the game. His dedication to studying film shows his determination to continue to improve in all aspects of the game. Bird has started to garner more interest from college programs, but he still has not seen an uptick in recruiting since receiving his first offer from Adams State in the spring.
58 TCK, 7 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 FMB REC, 1 FF, 1 PDrn
Keeler is a talented defensive end with a promising future. He has a motor that keeps him flying around the field with unmatched energy, and his speed allows him to chase down plays from the opposite side of the field. He does a fantastic job at playing to his leverage, tracking the ball carrier, and securing the tackle upon first contact. Keeler has garnered some attention as a prospect, but he has yet to receive an official offer. With such a significant upside, Keeler is a sleeper who will be a steal for whichever program is lucky enough to land him.
Highlights
40 TCK, 7 TFL, 5 QB HUR, 5 sacks, 1 FMB RECrn
Keeler is a monstrous defensive end with good strength and solid power. He does a fantastic job at fighting through levels of blockers while staying aware of where the ball is at all times. His ability to seal the edge and keep containment, combined with his overall athleticism, allows him to disrupt outside runs and rollouts. Frericks is a sure tackler who has received attention from colleges, but he is still waiting for his first official offer.
Giovani Cardona
Giovani Cardona
44 TCK, 5 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FMB REC, 2 sacksrn
Cardona is perhaps the lesser-known player on this list, making him the biggest sleeper. His explosiveness off the line allows him to shoot past a blocker and chase down the quarterback. When playing against inside runs, he does a great job at staying flat down the line and meeting the ball carrier at the hole. His physical attributes, competitive mentality, and vicious playing style make Cardona an ideal prospect for a backside defensive end.