Standout 2026 DLs: Region 6’s Top Sack Artist This Season

Florida has long been a powerhouse for high school football talent, consistently producing some of the nation's top defensive line prospects. Known for their speed, agility, and pure athleticism, these players have made a name for themselves and drawn interest from college coaches and scouts.   Many of these athletes already hold offers, while others are still flying under the radar, but all have the ability to compete at the college level. This list includes highly rated standouts as well as underrated prospects who deserve more attention.   At Prep Redzone Florida, we're committed to promoting every player and helping them earn the opportunity to play at the next level.   1. [player_tooltip player_id='1628861' first='Kamron' last='Wilson'], Defensive End – Southridge High   Height/Weight: 6'5", 210 lbs   Stats Summary: 118 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble   Evaluation: Wilson is a long, athletic pass rusher with an explosive first step that allows him to beat offensive tackles off the edge with ease. At 6'5”, he has the length to keep blockers at bay and the flexibility to bend and dip around the corner. His motor is relentless, and his 118 tackles show he isn't just a pass-rusher—he's also active in pursuit and run support. His 32 tackles for loss highlight his ability to penetrate the backfield, and his 17 sacks confirm that he is a true disruptor in passing situations. Wilson's frame suggests he has room to add more weight, which could make him even more dominant at the next level.   2. Amier Clarke, Defensive Tackle – Osceola High   Height/Weight: 6'3", 290 lbs   Stats Summary: 48 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 11 sacks   Evaluation: Clarke is a powerhouse in the middle, using his raw strength and heavy hands to collapse the pocket. At 290 pounds, he is surprisingly quick off the snap, allowing him to shoot gaps and disrupt plays before they develop. His 11 sacks from the interior are eye-catching, showcasing his ability to convert power into pass-rushing production. While he primarily wins with brute force, refining his hand placement and counter moves will make him an even more complete defensive tackle.   3. Travis McGill, Defensive End/Edge – Flanagan High   Height/Weight: 6'2", 210 lbs   Stats Summary: 44 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble   Evaluation: McGill plays with a high motor and violent hands, making him a constant problem for offensive linemen. His ability to change direction quickly allows him to make plays in the backfield, as evidenced by his 24 tackles for loss. His lean frame and quickness make him an ideal edge rusher in an attacking scheme, but he will need to add muscle to better handle stronger offensive tackles. His 10 sacks and forced fumble show his natural ability to create pressure and turnovers, and his burst off the line is one of his biggest assets.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='1629778' first='Dane' last='Bathurst'], Defensive End – Plant High   Height/Weight: 6'5", 230 lbs   Stats Summary: 43 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 1 interception   Evaluation: Bathurst is a long, athletic edge rusher with a relentless motor and the frame to add more bulk at the next level. His first step is explosive, allowing him to gain leverage quickly and force offensive tackles onto their heels. His ability to bend and flatten to the quarterback is impressive for his size, and his 25 tackles for loss show how disruptive he is in the backfield. Bathurst also possesses active hands, swiping away blockers and using his length to keep linemen from locking onto him. He plays with a high level of awareness, as shown by his interception, and his ability to diagnose plays allows him to be effective against both the run and pass. His ceiling is high with continued physical development, making him an intriguing edge prospect.   5. Jesse Barker Jr, Defensive End/Edge – South Lake High   Height/Weight: 6'0", 230 lbs   Stats Summary: 76 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles   Evaluation: Barker is an explosive, high-energy defender who thrives on pursuit and physicality. He plays with good leverage and uses his lower-body strength to drive blockers back. His 76 tackles show his ability to impact the game beyond just rushing the passer, and his 16 tackles for loss reinforce his disruptive presence in the backfield. His 9 sacks show strong finishing ability, and his forced fumbles highlight his knack for making game-changing plays. His compact frame and quickness make him ideal for an aggressive pass-rush scheme.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='1790384' first='Carmelo' last='Joseph,'] Defensive End/Edge – Wiregrass Ranch High   Height/Weight: 6'0", 220 lbs   Stats Summary: 70 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 17 QB hurries, 1 interception, 4 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble   Evaluation: Joseph is a well-rounded defensive end with the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. His 17 QB hurries show that he is constantly in the backfield, even when he isn't recording sacks. His ability to drop into coverage and grab an interception shows his athleticism and awareness. He shows a tendency to be around the ball at all times. He is slightly undersized for a traditional defensive end, but his speed and tenacity allow him to play bigger than his frame suggests.   7. [player_tooltip player_id='1788559' first='Kendric' last='Stacey'], Defensive Tackle – Bartow High   Height/Weight: 6'1", 240 lbs   Stats Summary: 52 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 1 interception, 3 fumble recoveries   Evaluation: Stacey is an interior lineman with an impressive combination of power and quickness. His ability to generate 8.5 sacks from the defensive tackle position shows he has a refined pass-rush skill set. His interception demonstrates his awareness and ability to read plays, making him more than just a space-eater. His three fumble recoveries reinforce his ability to capitalize on opportunities. As he continues to add strength and refine his technique, he could develop into a disruptive force on the inside.   8. Malik Brown, Defensive Tackle/Defensive End – Nova High   Height/Weight: 6'1", 243 lbs   Stats Summary: 48 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles   Evaluation: Brown is a hybrid defender who can play both inside and outside, giving him positional versatility. His ability to produce 7.5 sacks despite playing multiple roles speaks to his natural pass-rush instincts. He has a strong base and uses his leverage well to shed blockers. His two forced fumbles showcase his physicality and ability to make momentum-swinging plays. Brown's ability to transition between defensive end and tackle makes him an asset for any scheme that values versatility.   Defensive Line Overview   This group features a dynamic mix of edge rushers and interior disruptors, all of whom bring unique skill sets to the field. [player_tooltip player_id='1628861' first='Kamron' last='Wilson'] stands out as a long, athletic pass-rusher with elite pursuit skills, while [player_tooltip player_id='1629778' first='Dane' last='Bathurst'] provides a blend of size, power, and versatility. Travis McGill and [player_tooltip player_id='1258702' first='Jesse' last='Barker Jr.'] are relentless in their pursuit, consistently living in opponents' backfields. Amier Clarke is a powerhouse at defensive tackle, with impressive sack production from the interior, while [player_tooltip player_id='1788559' first='Kendric' last='Stacey'] and Malik Brown add strong inside presence with the ability to rush the passer. Carmelo Joseph showcases a well-rounded skill set with an ability to pressure quarterbacks and create turnovers.   This group is full of high-motor, disruptive defensive linemen who can impact the game both against the run and the pass.

Florida has long been a powerhouse for high school football talent, consistently producing some of the nation's top defensive line prospects. Known for their speed, agility, and pure athleticism, these players have made a name for themselves and drawn interest from college coaches and scouts.