Southwest Ohio Additions To The 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284105' first='Michael' last='Branch'] <strong>(Taylor) 6'3 215- </strong>I really like what I've seen from this young defensive lineman. Mike easily has the frame to fill out to 250-260 range. He shows that he can win reps in a number of ways. Branch has the strength to set the edge. He has a strong punch and slap moves that he uses to clear blockers. He has the bend to dip his shoulder and shoot the gap. As he's working through his moves, he does a great job of keeping his head up and his eyes in the backfield. He plays with a great motor and does a good job of playing in pursuit. I saw him in camp earlier this month and he showed off a great spin move that he used from power to spin to beat the blocker. He's starting to show really strong power to speed and speed to power transitions. As Michael continues to get bigger, stronger, and continue to develop his technique he has a chance to develop into a dominant high school defensive lineman. I think he could start to get D1 interest this offseason and with continued development I believe he could break out onto the high level P5 recruiting scene.<br><a href="https://twitter.com/MikeBranch5124">Twitter</a><br><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17927679/63935e9e2347ef012020e412">Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='402337' first='Jamier' last='Bryant']<strong> (Winton Woods) 6'0 170-</strong> Bryant is a versatile linebacker who does many things well. Bryant lines up at the outside linebacker position. At this point in his career, he wins with his speed and athleticism. He takes good angles to the ball out of his read and react. In the pass game he's comfortable in space and zone coverage. He's patient in his reads and he has loose hips that he can use to turn and run. He has a nose for the ball. As Bryant continues to get bigger and stronger, he'll be able to add a power element that will help diversify his game and should take his game to another level. His ability to play the run and drop in coverage is a versatile skill set that is coveted at the college level and should help draw interest towards Bryant.<br><a href="https://twitter.com/Jamierbryant26">Twitter</a><br><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17750071/63cecedf5eed8d0bf469f5d7">Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='576029' first='Tristan' last='Cornist'] <strong>(Colerain) 6'170-</strong> Cornist plays both linebacker and running back. On the defensive side of the ball, he lines up at the middle linebacker position. He fires as though he's been shot out of a cannon. Tristan works through the wash well and has the speed to run down most any play in pursuit. While I think Tristan projects to the defensive side of the ball in college, he's a really good running back. Cornist runs with patience and he's explosive in and out of his breaks. He has the speed to take it the distance. I really believe he could play either position at the college level, I just think he has some more elite traits at the linebacker positions. As Tristan continues to grow and fill out, I think things will work itself out for him positionally. <br><a href="https://twitter.com/tristansmindset">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402326' first='Dantrell' last='Moses'] <strong>(Withrow) 5'11 165-</strong> Moses played both slot receiver and defensive back last for West Clermont. Since the 2022 season, Moses has transferred to Withrow high school. At slot Dantrell or "Rell" as he also goes by, is a slippery route runner. He runs his routes with good tempo, and he sets up his breaks well and creates immediate separation from defenders. He has the speed to widen the gap of separation. Moses tracks the ball well in the air and makes good adjustments to make the catch. On the defensive side of the ball he's patient in his back pedal and trust his speed and athleticism to turn and run with receivers. He has an explosive break on the ball that allows him to make both plays on the ball and make the big hit.. In the run game he's not afraid to take on bigger blockers and meet the run head on. With all of the skill talent at Withrow I expect Moses to develop at a high level and the college interest will start to pick up.<br><a href="https://twitter.com/DantrellMoses1">Twitter</a><br><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17523123/6336e6ff96807c0b84f85480">Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='812498' first='Max' last='Rhodes'] <strong>(Oak Hills) 6'1 215-</strong> Rhodes is an old school mike linebacker. He has a stout build, runs well, and plays on a downhill slant. He runs well and plays with a good pad level and is a sure tackler. He's violent at the point of attack when he takes on blockers. Unlike the traditional mike backers however, Rhodes is really good in pass coverage. Max is comfortable in space in zone coverage. He displays good change of direction skills and does a great job of playing the ball rather than the man. As you watch Rhodes, he doesn't play as a freshman. I'm excited to see what the future holds as Rhodes continues to grow and develop.<br><a href="https://twitter.com/max_rhodes23">Twitter</a><br><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17728230/6388f2b5f55f880860120dd3">Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->