2024 Big Boys Who Are Trending Power 5
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Tristan Johnson Tristan Johnson 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL L.D. Bell | 2024 State TX 2024 I 6’3 265 I SDE/DT I L.D. Bell High School I Hurst, Texas Tristan Johnson Tristan Johnson 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL…
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Continue ReadingTristan Johnson Tristan Johnson 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL L.D. Bell | 2024 State TX 2024 I 6’3 265 I SDE/DT I L.D. Bell High School I Hurst, Texas
Tristan Johnson Tristan Johnson 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL L.D. Bell | 2024 State TX is the worst-kept secret in the state of Texas. This kid checks all the boxes and is still deemed a sleeper. Coming in at a burly 6’3 265, Johnson’s tape displays suddenness in his burst-to-speed power. He knows how to use that enormous frame to achieve intentional leverage when dominating the protection schemes of his opposition. This baby Aaron Donald can dominate from the edge as a strong side defensive end with the power to press the pocket or slide inside to the tackle position and overwhelm the interior with his speed and quickness. Johnson has an array of rush moves in his tool belt but always seems meticulous and calculated about how to implement them. He can be seen in one play bursting upfield only to be faced with an elusive ball carrier in space behind the line of scrimmage. What’s impressive about this play is that this typically will be called “No Man’s Land” for big guys dealing with a two-way go. Johnson drops his hips, comes to balance, gets big with his wingspan, and secures the tackle. My prediction is that this kid/man-child will blow up soon is used correctly. Power Five is written all over Tristan Johnson Tristan Johnson 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL L.D. Bell | 2024 State TX ‘s tape, frame, grades, and production. Remember the name “ Tristan Johnson Tristan Johnson 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL L.D. Bell | 2024 State TX of the Trenches” and remember that you heard it here first…
Michael-Anthony Okwura I 2024 I 6’3 250 I DT I St. Thomas Catholic High School I Houston, Texas
M.A. Okwura is a flat-out load coming off of the edge. Okwura can play any position along the defensive front and dominate. His speed, power, and active hands present him as unblockable to the mainstream high school offensive lineman. If you are not impressed enough by those intangibles then allow me to present to you his greatest skill in my judgment; an unrelenting motor. Okwura does not get tired and does not give ground. He has solidified habits that require him to battle to the echo of the whistle without any compromise. The offensive pocket was not built to handle such stress and pressure for four to five quarters. This is what makes M.A. Okwura a type of high school unicorn. It is a talent and an art to possess the ability to give everything in every play. Having said that, turn on the tape and you’ll see that this pass rusher art is a Picasso.
Matthew Westmoreland I 2024 I 6’2 250 I SDE I Conroe High School I Conroe, Texas
Matthew Westmoreland is a powerfully built edge who is as disciplined as they come when it comes to executing assignments, reading, and ultimately finishing the play. He can line up in a wide nine or even shade and yet dictate the outcome in most encounters. Westmoreland is a handy player who uses his wingspan to lock out his elbows to neutralize the offensive lineman. Seldom gets reached or pushed out of position due to his ability to bend and extend. He is a madman in every sense of the word once he finds the ball carrier. Westmoreland is a hot ticket on the FBS tour right now. Look for him to take off on the Power 5 evaluation process if the sources prove true.
Zion Taylor Zion Taylor 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Shadow Creek | 2024 State TX I 2024 I 6’1.5 240 I Shadow Creek High School I
Yet another talented edge rusher is Zion Taylor Zion Taylor 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Shadow Creek | 2024 State TX who is a powerful athlete with immense potential. As a pass rusher, Taylor uses his next-level get-off to scream into offensive linemen and has enough bend to slip by blockers for immediate pressure. He does not have a wide pass-rushing toolbox, but he makes up for that with the ability to overwhelm with pure speed, strength, and flexibility. While he is not fully developed as a pass rusher, there are clear signs of potential in his exceptional burst for his size and frame that will be up to the right team to unlock in the future. Taylor can be seen running the hoop to pressure the quarterback and concluding his efforts with his signature swipe at the ball attempting to turn a good play into a great one. The 6’1 240 pound edge is locked into the Houston Cougars but look for big names to come calling soon to flip his decision.