New Names: 5 Explosive DL Prospects Getting Overlooked

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line is typically one of the more stacked positions in Georgia from top to bottom. The "prototype" big guys always generate the most recruiting buzz and headlines, but there are several smaller, explosive DL prospects getting overlooked. Here are 5 that fit that description.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1563160' first='Jalen' last='Ray']","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_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":"Douglas County","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1563160' first='Jalen' last='Ray'] is an athletic DE prospect who was an unsung hero this past fall for the Douglas County defense. Ray is on the stockier side at 6'2 235, but can compensate for his shorter stature with his play strength and pass rushing potential. Ray is explosive off the line, proving capable of shooting gaps to quickly get into the backfield and flush the QB. He can also quickly set up blockers, creating hesitation with subtle lateral moves and occasionally bringing his arm over to shed. He also plays with a hot motor, frequently showing on tape the willingness to track down the football from across the formation. Against the run, Ray plays with good instincts and is athletic enough to settle down and mirror ball carriers in the backfield. He could play with a little more violence when taking on blocks, but he has the play strength and anchor needed to hold his ground and avoid getting washed. Ray is vastly overlooked and should be viewed as a pass rusher who can support against the run.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1571777' first='Zymarion' last='Hudson']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Crisp County","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Hudson is a feisty, energetic edge defender with some serious juice to his game. He is not the biggest in stature, coming in at 6'1 225. However, there is plenty of room for him to grow and his athleticism allows him to work off blocks. Hudson's speed and explosive off the edge sets up the rest of his game, frequently firing past blocks without much of an effort and flushing the QB. His play style may yield some fly-by misses of the QB, but he still works them off platform and plays through the whistle, constantly recovering and closing to the ball. Even for a lighter defender, Hudson flashes the grip strength and aggressive nature needed to tug away and wrestle off blocks until he is free. Will need to develop more play strength to consistently play against the run, but he has the first step quickness to shoot gaps and beat the spill/pulling blockers. Hudson is gritty, athletic, and plays with violence. There are several traits here that translate to the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1563135' first='Nicholas' last='Mathious'] ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Hillgrove","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1563135' first='Nicholas' last='Mathious'] is a disruptive, energetic DL prospect with some pass rushing ability from the interior. He is on the stockier side at 6'0 265, but he carries his weight well and doesn't lack any explosiveness. Mathious is incredibly explosive off the snap, allowing him to shoot gaps and take advantage of blockers before they can set up properly. He builds off his explosiveness with active hands, swatting at blocks and bringing his arm over to free himself. Due to his length, he will have to find different ways to extend away from blocks when he gets tied up. Fortunately, he plays with high effort which allows him to gradually sheer off blocks and separate himself. 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He is listed at 6'1 235, and looks to have decent length and room to grow in his limbs. He uses that length to violently punch blockers onto their heels, which allows him to pull through and shoot into the backfield. His motor runs hot and he can flag the football down from across the formation. He navigates chaos well, quickly gaining ground to the football without getting washed. He looks to make the game simple at times, relying on his violence and strength to overwhelm blockers. As he continues to grow physically, his ability to turn speed to power should improve even more. The physical upside here makes him intriguing.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='682958' first='Michael' last='Johnson'] Jr ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Carver","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='682958' first='Michael' last='Johnson'] Jr is a light-footed, explosive defender who could end up playing as an OLB at the next level. However, his broad shoulders and strength might be best with his hand in the dirt. Most of his pass rushing ability comes from the bull rush, quickly eliminating cushion between himself and the blocker. He does a good job of driving tackles backwards while keeping his chest clean at the same time. Against the run, he flashes the ability to settle down and mirror lateral movements in the backfield. He looks to close space with a plan, and doesn't appear like he misses a lot of tackles or flies by the football. Johnson is battle tested against good competition which should help his future development.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e9343fb0b07"} /-->