Georgia 2024 Top 50: Defensive Line
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The ability to rush the opposing quarterback and create havoc against the opposing run game comes at a premium when evaluating defensive lineman for the college level. Key factors in the run game when evaluating defensive lineman is seeing the…
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Continue ReadingThe ability to rush the opposing quarterback and create havoc against the opposing run game comes at a premium when evaluating defensive lineman for the college level. Key factors in the run game when evaluating defensive lineman is seeing the ability to lock out from the opposing offensive lineman, and stack and shed the block to go make the play down the line of scrimmage. Some key factors to look for when evaluating the pass rush ability, showing the ability to rush “half a man” and make an athletic move on the opposing offensive lineman. Let’s take a look at the 2024 Georgia Top 50 Defensive Lineman!
Eddrick Houston Eddrick Houston 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Buford | 2024 State GA – DL – Buford High School (#5 Overall)
- Combines excellent power with initial quickness, but one of his best attributes are his violent hands, which he uses with impressive precision.
- With a powerful lower body and the ability to hold up at the point of attack as a run defender, he is remarkably instinctive.
- Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side with strong hands.
KingJoseph Edwards
KingJoseph
Edwards
6'4" | 235 lbs | DL
Buford | 2024
State
GA
– DL – Buford High School (#11 Overall)
- Strong tackler. Has good power in hands and can anchor, shed, and chase.
- Dorlus can set the edge in the run game with his stout build and strong core, and he has the powerful arms to shed blockers.
Champ Thompson Champ Thompson 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Meadowcreek | 2024 State GA – DL – Meadowcreek High School (#21 Overall)
- His hand use is excellent; he’s strong in the upper body and consistently swats away blockers.
- Champ has pure power, which is emphasized by a good pad level. He can stand up at the point of attack and handle double teams, and Champ also has the ability to drive blockers back into the pocket with a bull rush.
Hevin Brown-Shuler Hevin Brown-Shuler 6'5" | 270 lbs | DL Pace Academy | 2024 State GA – DL – Pace Academy (#25 Overall)
- Shows a natural feel for setting up blockers and getting them off-balance. His hands are active and violent, and he quickly disengages with blockers and counters when his initial move stalls.
- Brown-Shuler is strong enough in the lower body to hold up at the point of attack, and he displays a good feel as a grappler in the phone booth, consistently getting blockers off-balance before sending them to the ground.
Justin Greene Justin Greene 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Mountain View | 2024 State GA – DL – Mountain View High School (#30 Overall)
- Greene has the strong core and powerful hands to shed blockers, and he shows excellent instincts with the ability to quickly locate the ball.
- His ability to clog running lanes, however, is a talent highly coveted for the college level.
- He has pure power, which is emphasized by a good pad level. Greene can stand up at the point of attack and handle double teams, and he also has the ability to drive blockers back into the pocket with a bull rush.
Nasir Smith Nasir Smith 6'4" | 295 lbs | DL Grayson | 2024 State GA – DL – Grayson High School (#31 Overall)
- Gets his big hands up to block passes if unable to beat his man, and follows the quarterback on moving pockets and sniffs out screens.
- He’s has the unique physical gifts make him a candidate to play up and down the line in either front.
Omar White Omar White 6'3" | 305 lbs | DL Lee County | 2024 State GA – DL – Lee County (#47 Overall)
- His motor is excellent, and he’s quick to locate the ball and make plays against the run.
- White has a wide base and a low center of gravity to hold his ground, as well as the upper-body strength to shed blockers.
- He’s very instinctive when it comes to countering and solid with overall hand usage.
Eric Brantley Jr. Eric Brantley Jr. 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL Valdosta | 2024 State GA – DL – Valdosta (#48 Overall)
- Strong tackler. Has good power in hands and can anchor, shed, and chase.
- He’s long but has a powerful lower body and plays with impressive leverage considering his tall frame.
- Big-bodied rusher with very good upper-body strength. Strong and stout at the point of attack with the measurables to occupy multiple blockers.
Michai Boireau – DL – Lovejoy (#49 Overall)
- Boireau has a stout build, strong core and powerful limbs to step in right away as a three-down player.
- Delivers a strong punch and uses his hands to shed blocks to make plays in the hole or outside the box. Uses lower-body strength to anchor inside.
- Good strength and balance to sit down, lock-out and create a pile, leading to possibilities inside and out.