2025 Edge Defenders Set to Take off this Spring

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look at edge defenders, both DE's and OLB's who are mainly used on the edge as blitzers and attack the ball downhill. These are guys who are generating some interest in their recruitment, but will see a big uptake with offers once more schools see them this spring and into summer camps. Some big time sleepers here as well who I am very surprised don't have more offers already...don't miss on these guys!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1214112,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tiras Wilkerson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"220","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Parkville High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Tiras burst on the scene this season, a basketball player 2023 was his first year playing football. All of 6'3u0022 with a good lean frame and long arms. Showed dominance this past season recording 7 sacks, 12 tfl's and 6 pdfl's, using that length to his advantage. He plays with good energy and a quick get off. Tiras shows the ability to bend the edge and get flat down the line, using his athleticism to beat OTs and get into the backfield quickly. The basketball background shows as well, with good COD, fluid hips and ability to play on his toes and be an athlete. I like Tiras' hand usage as well, quick and active. He can slap blockers hands aways before they can get into his chest, shows a good swim/rip move and can get skinny with his movement. I want to see him just continue to add bulk/muscle to his frame, and Coach Walker says they plan to have him at 235lbs by next season. Under the radar recruit, Tiras should show well in one day camps and look forward to catching more of him myself.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f7447fea2a2"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TirasWilkwrson8/status/1715754992835960892","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TirasWilkwrson8/status/1715754992835960892 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1214117,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1242427' first='Lucas' last='Banks']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"230","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"The Bullis School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lucas is a player I've been following for a few years now. Was a LB at Sherwood HS before transferring to Bullis and reclassing to 2025. He has add muscle to his frame and now puts his hand in the dirt as a DE, but still shows the burst and athleticism he had as an OLB. Lucas has a motor that doesn't stop and it shows on the field, constantly being in the backfield making plays. He shows good strength being able to stalk and shed blockers, long arming OTs to get by them or keeping his off hand free to set the edge. Banks has great technique for a position he is still fairly new at. Displaying great bend and ability to fire out low, shoot the gap and getting skinny, makes him a tough block. This led to him making first team all IAC.  Lucas just needs to continue to fill out his frame/getting stronger and he will be a no brainer take for a lot of schools.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f7447fea370"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Lucasbanks192/status/1723554016787906958","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Lucasbanks192/status/1723554016787906958 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1214123,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1242430' first='LJ' last='Smith']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Salesianum High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"LJ is a player that caught my early back over Memorial weekend at the PigSkin Classic Games. The first thing I noticed about him is he plays bigger than his size...is just a straight dog of a player. Size wise, he is more of a hybrid SS/OLB, but is a missile of the edge. Plays fast, plays violent, flies to the ball and will deliver a blow. LJ possesses a great frame, with good length, muscled up and will add on some good muscle, see him being a rocked up 220+lb guy. He is light on his feet and shows nice body control and maneuverability. Being able to dip/bend under and around blockers. However, what he can do best is just beat you with straight speed. LJ has great explosiveness off the snap with excellent timing. He's in the backfield making the tackle before the handoff is made or the QB can get his feet set, as shown by his 11 sacks and 13 tfl's on the year. Smart colleges won't let him only being 6'0u0022 stop them from getting in on this kid. He is young for his grade, so still plenty of filling out to do and LJ is also a high academic prospect, so he is a must see for me.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f7447fea414"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/lj_smith21/status/1733926566093062222","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/lj_smith21/status/1733926566093062222 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1104504"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Ian is your prototype 4-3 defensive end - tall, long, great frame and strong. He can play stand-up on the edge as well but as his frame continues to fill out you will see him being a 260lb type guy. Ian made 2nd team all county this past season, and recorded 5 Sacks 11 TFL's , 5 PD's and 2 QB hurries. A natural knee bender and athlete, Ian runs on his toes and shows the ability to re-direct with good COD. Possess a good motor, chasing ball carriers down the field and never giving up on the play. Ian's great hips allow him to flatten down the line, as well as making sure no one gets outside of him on the edge. I'd like to see him play with a bit more aggressiveness/explosiveness,  however with his exceptional length and size, his potential is sky high!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fcc574ca2f3"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/IanPopeJr/status/1740477056511828291","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/IanPopeJr/status/1740477056511828291 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["421114"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Donovan is a pure do it all edge OLB. Explosive enough to be an impact off the edge and athletic enough to cover in the flats or play in space. A player that looks the part and passes the eye ball test when you see him on the hoof. Posting a strong season with 65 tkls and 8sacks, Donovan flies around the field and is capable of playing sideline to sideline. You see real good twitch for his position in Donovan. Crashing off the edge with great burst, he shows the ability to shimmy and get blockers off balance and then will hit them with active hands to get by. Donovan shows a lot of strong rush techniques to make life difficult on OTs. He is also a nice athlete with a hight motor. Can flatten down the line, re-direct and chase with no loss of momentum and speed. Not just a speed guy, Donovan is strong enough to bull rush OL back getting good leverage into their chest or long arming to set the edge. There is a lot to like with Donovan's overall skill set. A versatile do it all OLB who is an impact player in many ways, he is a must see this spring for colleges and I expect offers to be coming his way.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fcc574ca35a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DonovanRondeau/status/1752014784608772197","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DonovanRondeau/status/1752014784608772197 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1218464,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1242013' first='Richard' last='Denny']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"220","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Albert Einstein H.S.","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Richard is a player who will blow up this spring u0026amp; summer once more coaches get eyes on him. A long, lean, athletic and twitched up true rush DE, he plays with speed and intensity. Richard has great length with a wingspan of 80u0022 and he uses those long arms to get a hold of QBs constantly. He is quick off the snap and has great movement. Will get his feet chopping and can accelerate quickly to the ball, showing a high motor and good energy. You see him dip u0026amp; rip both off the edge or getting skinny and beating the blocker inside. That shows his quickness and ability to be active at the LOS. A natural bender as well, Richard can flip hips and re-direct to go get the ball. A good overall athlete too,  he has played some TE/OLB as well and is a sprinter in track. That athleticism shows in how he moves and runs  with good a good stride and playing on his toes. He is a a force at the DE spot and an under the radar gem of a player at this stage. He holds 1 FBS offer currently but that number will be growing in no time. I can't wait to get my eyes on Richard more this summer as he is a high ceiling prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fcc574ca400"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jahznye/status/1763715138777911757","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jahznye/status/1763715138777911757 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771517"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1218428,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Jatavion is a player I saw earlier this year live at practice and he impressed me right away. He has nice size at 6'3u0022 225,  arms to his knees and a frame that will fill out nicely. A real smooth player, he runs well with a good long stride, while also having quick hips and good COD. Jatavion possesses a great motor, always running to the ball and looking to make a play. His get off is great with good pop off the snap and he doesn't overthink or get caught up in the play, he just attacks. I really like his repertoire of pass rush moves that he displays. You see him blockers with a quick and smooth out and in, beat you with straight speed, and dip and bend the edge. Those pass rushes moves and hand technique will only improve with development, which shows there has plenty of potential still in his game. He has excellent hips as well, being able to play the edge against the option or just making sure the ball carrier doesn't break his outside contain. Jatavion is an under the radar guy to me, and I expect a lot more coaches to be impressed with his game come this summer.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fcc574ca46c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TayD1fferent/status/1739024065346629700","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TayD1fferent/status/1739024065346629700 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->