Next Up Rising Northern California Defensive Tackles
In this article:
Looking at some of the regions top defensive tackles heading into this off-season, who had dominating 2023 campaigns and are no brainer next level kids? Find out below! Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code PaulG30 at checkout! Robert Rooks…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingLooking at some of the regions top defensive tackles heading into this off-season, who had dominating 2023 campaigns and are no brainer next level kids? Find out below!
Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code PaulG30 at checkout!
Rooks is one of the most technically sound and violent players across the Bay Area in this 2025 class and is a no brainer FBS caliber kid with untapped potential. He is a heavy striker that explodes from his hips out of his stance and quickly gets his hands on blockers with a violent inside punch and quick lock out/violent disengage. He is a very versatile kid that can play either inside or out in space on the edge, and has a variety of different pass rush moves at his disposal while knowing when to win with speed, power, or counter back inside. He shows quick block recognition, can redirect and make plays in space, while quickly able to defeat reaches and double teams against the run and is a very high IQ prospect. His versatile skill set agains the pass and run, while flashing great closing speed in space and ability to apply pressure from various angles make him very intriguing. Yale has already offered, with other FBS/FCS schools most likely to follow suit soon. Anchoring one of the best small school teams in the state in 2023 and leading St. Vincent de Paul to a state title, Rooks is one of the top ’25 defensive lineman Norcal has to offer.
Fangupo has been dominating both sides of the trenches since his Freshman season for Sacred Heart Prep, one of the top small school steams in the entire state. He is a extremely physical and explosive inside player that can quickly reset the LOS, get off blocks and take on double teams with ease. He shows that he does not get knocked back, can attack drive blocks and provides a nice redirect/pass rush with some under-rated twitch and closing speed for his size. Although a bit undersized, he does a nice job at using his leverage against blockers and getting underneath their pads and locking out quickly. Look for the 2025 prospect to gather D3+ offers as we closes out his prep career next Fall.
Highlights
Dixon could project out as an offensive tackle at the next level due to his size, length and athleticism, but he dominates both sides of the ball for one of the most respected programs in Norcal. He currently has two offers from SJSU and Cal and has elite length and a strong frame, especially for a ’26. He is a very twitchy inside player that snaps his hands quickly and has a quick first step, while able to redirect and plays with a high motor at all times/can sniff out screens/draws and already very technically sound for a Sophomore. Look for Dixon to be one of the regions best in the class and have a huge off-season that will end up with plenty more FBS offers.