Defensive Breakout Candidates – 2025 Class?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='351829' first='Ian' last='Coleman'] - EDGE - Butler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'2 and 220 pounds, Coleman has had a great start to his career as a pass rusher, leading the conference in sacks already. He had 10 total sacks on the season to go along with 79 total tackles, including an incredible 28 tackles for loss. Coleman displays an excellent get-off when rushing the passer, and shows advanced ability in shedding blocks in his rush to make plays in the backfield. I love his motor and flow on plays away from him, and he often makes tackles coming from the backside of a play, which is an excellent trait in such a young player. He already has college interest from several Division 1 schools and an offer from Boston College. His brother JJ was a Queen City Senior Bowl selection, and Ian will have similar accolades in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='836726' first='Ryan' last='Debow'] - LB - Northwest Guilford </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I didn't know much about Ryan initially, however, once I saw his film, I think I along with many others will get to know him pretty well over the next couple of years. I have him listed here as a linebacker, but Ryan can also play some Strong Safety, it just depends on the scheme and game plan. At 6'1 and 180 pounds, I love his football intelligence - he had several interceptions from the middle linebacker position where he is reading the quarterback's eyes and gets into the throwing lane based on his anticipation. He is an excellent tackler in the open field, and already as a sophomore, I can tell he is an emotional leader for his defense. I'm a little surprised he doesn't have college interest based on his skill set and film, but he is someone that should start popping onto radars when the camp season really gets into full swing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='287358' first='Bryce' last='Lee'] - DL - East Mecklenburg </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryce jumped on the scene last season with a really impressive season that landed him 1st Team All-Conference accolades at the defensive line position. He can play defensive tackle and defensive end - but based on his film I love him as a "3" technique defensive tackle that can raise havoc in "B" Gap all night long. He did an excellent job of that on film, and it starts with great hand technique at the snap. I like how he can transition from shedding blocks in the run game to a pass-rush move to get to the quarterback, it is not easy especially for an interior defensive lineman to do that. He can make tackles well in the interior run game and has good closing speed when rushing the passer. He has enough athletic ability to flip over and play both offensive tackle positions as well, but I think his future on the college level is on the defensive side of the football. He has some Division 1 college interest and I'd expect that to increase for sure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1205741' first='Jack' last='Smith'] - DL - Pine Lake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pine Lake is not a school known for pumping out big-time talent to colleges, but [player_tooltip player_id='1205741' first='Jack' last='Smith'] is an exception to that rule. He had several impressive individual effort games last season, leading his team to a great record and playoff berth. At 6'3 and 245 pounds, Jack earned All-Conference and All-State recognition for his performance last season. He had 76 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, and an incredible 30 tackles for loss. When you look at his film, the impressive thing is he is getting all this done with pure power - he has definitely done his work in the weight room. A powerful bull rush helps him shed blocks almost instantly. He does a great job in not giving up on plays on defense and chases down ball carriers for tackles. He is athletic enough to make pass breakups by jumping and getting knockdowns, as well as getting get pressure on quarterbacks. He can play some guard on offense and is a powerful run blocker on that side of the ball as well. He should get some college interest this summer on the camp circuit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='759842' first='Jamari' last='Farmer'] - LB - Mooresville </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmer is someone who jumped on my radar in scouting some of his teammates who attended a camp that I am involved in. At 6'1 and 200 pounds, his athleticism is the first thing that jumps off the page for me. He had an incredible 124 tackles last year and 5 sacks, earning him All-Conference honors. He closes open windows so fast, that's the first thing I love about him. And in closing those windows in the run game, he tackles very well with good form - necessary for a good linebacker, but as a sophomore, it's an advanced skill. He can run sideline to sideline, he doesn't let people turn the corner on him. Good discipline in the passing game and he has the ability to cover running backs and tight ends in short spaces. I am excited to see his growth over the next two years - he has real potential to be a Division 1 football player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->