WEEK 8 Review: Defensive Linemen To Watch
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It’s time to give the Big Fellas some recognition as high school football coverage has been swamped with skill players and quarterback standouts. Throughout the week following Friday HS Football Game Day, Prep Redzone scout Drew Johnson will be highlighting…
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Continue ReadingIt’s time to give the Big Fellas some recognition as high school football coverage has been swamped with skill players and quarterback standouts. Throughout the week following Friday HS Football Game Day, Prep Redzone scout Drew Johnson will be highlighting some of the standouts and notable performances from the weekend and we will now be listing Lineman Standouts. Teams around the state kicked off week six and there were certainly some Notable Standouts to note.
Note: If you feel we missed a prospect or have a notable prospect that is worth mentioning, DM me @RealNews102.
Jawaun Campbell Jawaun Campbell 6'2" | 275 lbs | DL DeFuniak Springs Walton | 2024 FL | DL | 2024 | Walton | @CampbellJawaun
2023 stats: 68 total tackles, 5.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT
A versatile and athletic defensive lineman prospect who’s found himself in the opponent’s backfield and his own this season being used as a full back. He’s on track for nearly 100 total tackles this season and that’s because he’s a beast off the edge that can use his hands and surprising quickness to cause problems.
Dean Jee Jr | EDGE | 2025 | Sumner | @DeanGee24
6’2, 215-pounds
2023 stats: 3.5 Sacks, 13 QB Hits/Hurries, 5 TFLs 10 Total tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR and 1 tipped punt
A rising sophomore for Sumner High has put together some recent notable performances and made an impact in the backfield from the trenches. He’s a decent framed EDGE at 6’2, 215 pounds with time to add weight and work on technique.
Gregory Thomas | DE | 2025 | Pinellas Park | @TankThomas16
6’1, 185-pounds
2023 stats: 68 total tackles, 34.0 TFL, 11.0 sacks
A tackle-for-loss machine, if the Max Preps numbers are correct he has to be leading the state in TFLs (34). Thomas is another productive EDGE piece and a sure tackler that puts pressure on the QB and can be effective in run-stop defense.
Jaylen Evans | DT | 2024 | Lake Gibson | @JaylenE4412
2023 stats: 34 total tackles, 10.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks
Evans has proved to be one of the top defensive tackles and best available 2024 prospects in the Polk area with double-digit tackles for loss through week 8. He’s a 6’3, 250-pound versatile lineman who can cause havoc on opposing offensive lines. College coaches, check the film. He’s a good upside prospect with room to add weight.
Mike Brown | DT | 2024 | Fort Meade | @mike_brown62
2023 stats: 28 total tackles, 5.0 TFL
Brown is a defensive tackle who’s had some quality production for Fort Meade this season as he sets the tone in the trenches. He has a monster build with good hand work. A build-on prospect who has time to develop his frame and get his technique right to be a problem.
Best of the rest:
Andrew Hines Andrew Hines 6'5" | 265 lbs | DB Kissimmee Tohopekaliga | 2025 FL | DE | 2025 | Tohopekaliga | @REAL_AndrewRH
2023 stats: 66 total tackles, 13.0 TFL, 8.0 sacks
Riley Cooper Riley Cooper 6'0" | 245 lbs | OL Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic | 2026 FL | DT/RG | 2026 | Santa Fe | @RileyCo91361498
6’1, 280-pounds
2023 stats:
Ji’Koi Highsmith | DE | 2027 | Archbishop McCarthy | @JiKoiHighsmith
6’2, 190-pounds
2023 stats:
Tackles: 25, QB Hurries: 25, TFL: 5, Sacks: 3.5, PD: 2, FR: 1, FF: 3Hudl: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20357665