5 Disruptive Defenders In The 2024 Class With Big Fall Ambitions
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We’re taking a look at 5 defensive players who have had great careers up to this point, but are looking to take another step this fall! Artemas Bryant Artemas Bryant 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Carmel | 2024 State…
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Continue ReadingWe’re taking a look at 5 defensive players who have had great careers up to this point, but are looking to take another step this fall!
Artemas Bryant Artemas Bryant 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Carmel | 2024 State IN – Carmel – LB/DE – 6’2″ 240lbs
Bryant is one of the fastest-rising recruits in the entire class of 2024. He’s a relentless animal who lives in the backfield and blows up game plans. To say he’s quick off the line is disrespectful to him. He flies off the line, has an unstoppable twitch, and manhandles every OL that he comes across. He’s got great flexibility and bends as well as you’d dream of. His hand placement is really good and those same hands send shockwaves through his opponent. Bryant is also nimble enough to move to the inside and give guards and centers problems. He’s able to win to the inside and has the speed to slip right on by which is why he’s so disruptive and dominant in the running game. Last year, Bryant put up a fairly respectable stat line of 45 total tackles, 35 of them being solo, 9 TFLs, 4 sacks, 2 deflected passes, and 10 hurries. He’s one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the class and you can see pretty quickly why Bryant is the guy you want to bring in to help a defense.
Twitter: @ArtyBryant2024
Tyshawn Woodson Tyshawn Woodson 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Lawrence North | 2024 State IN – Lawrence North – LB – 6’0″ 200lbs
Woodson heads into his Senior year as a leader on the Lawrence North defense, and for good reason. He’s a very physical LB who is great near the LOS. He’s able to sniff out the run game and cut through gaps to get home. He’s a decent build height-wise and then has the raw strength to come off the Edge. He could be a hybrid-type player at the next level if asked to do so. This past season Woodson put up 83 total tackles, 54 of them being solos, 3 sacks, 2 Forced fumbles, and 3 TFLs. He’s a raw athlete who has a violent nature to his game. He’s under control and doesn’t make boneheaded mistakes or take things too far. He’s a tone-setter for the defense, and multiple times has been the guy to give them a lift when they were in a lull. Woodson is a sound player with a lot of quality traits that should set him up for success at the next level.
Twitter: @TyshawnWoodson1
Jacob Dinkens Jacob Dinkens 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Franklin Community | 2024 State IN – Franklin Community – DB – 5’11” 175lbs
Dinkens is all over the field for Franklin Community and has to be the biggest stress reliever for that coaching staff. Dinkens is a DB who can play corner, safety, and has the size to come play in the box and make tackles in the running game. He takes really good angles and has just nice raw athleticism. He’s quick, doesn’t have choppy feet, and has another gear when the ball is in the air. He’s more than willing to lay it all on the line and throw his whole body into a tackle if he has to. One of my favorite plays from Dinkens is when he does just that and prevents a TD from a ball carrier with a full head of steam. His 61 total tackles, 30 being solo, 2 sacks, forced fumble, and 1 TFL rounded out his statistical campaign. Dinkens is the type of recruit that good schools snag quickly because he’s a productive player who will end up being a starter during his collegiate career.
Twitter: @DinkensJacob
Aaron Davis Aaron Davis 6'6" | 285 lbs | DL Decatur Central | 2024 State IN – Decatur Central – DL – 6’6″ 285lbs
Davis has been a really nice rotational piece for Decatur Central the past few years, but as he heads into his final year those ambitions and expectations are only bigger. He’s had his moments of flash showing he’s got the ability to be that disruptive player they need him to be this year. The most obvious thing is his frame and size. He’s got a frame and the length that very few people will ever come near. He’s got incredibly long arms and seems to always make first contact with the opposing lineman. Last year Davis put up 14 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 2 hurries while rotating in 5 games, which is why those expectations have gone up. He’s got the ability to be a fantastic interior lineman at the next level if he develops the right way. Davis is an exciting recruit to think about what he could be with a full year to play, which is why he’s someone who might be too far under the radar compared to where he may end up.
Twitter: @AaronDavis2024
Ty Veen Ty Veen 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Valparaiso | 2024 State IN – Valparaiso – LB – 6’0″ 220lbs
Veen cemented himself as Valparaiso’s MLB as he helped guide them to a state championship. Proving to be incredibly reliable, versatile, and being able to see plays as they develop is the best way to describe his season. There were times it felt like he was half a step ahead of the offense. Whether he picks up on tendencies or verbiage midgame I’m not sure, but he’s a smart player who gets better as the game goes on. He can play the run as well as drop back into coverage. A true MLB, he’s given Valpo some extra options with what they can do on defense. His 71 total tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 2 fumbles was an overall outstanding season. He did it from week 1 all the way through the state championship, only getting better and more confident as he developed. Veen could up being the one LB that schools were sick that they missed out on.
Twitter: @TyVeen2024