Standout 2026 DLs: Region 7’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. Deanthony Lafayette, Defensive End – Lake Nona High   Height/Weight: 6'2", 240 lbs   Stats Summary: 73 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, 40 QB hurries, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles   Evaluation: Lafayette is an explosive edge rusher with a devastating first step that allows him to immediately put offensive tackles on their heels. He consistently wins with his ability to dip and bend around the edge, making him a nightmare for quarterbacks trying to step up in the pocket. His 17.5 sacks and 40 QB hurries are proof of his relentless motor and ability to close quickly. What separates him from other rushers is his hand usage—violent, well-timed strikes that keep linemen from locking onto him. He also shows underrated play recognition, as evidenced by his interception, suggesting he understands passing lanes and when to drop off. His frame and explosiveness make him a prototypical pass-rushing threat with high-level production.   2. [player_tooltip player_id='859613' first='Asharri' last='Charles'], Defensive End – Venice High   Height/Weight: 6'3", 225 lbs   Stats Summary: 107 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 20 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles   Evaluation: Charles is the total package as a defensive end—long, athletic, and relentless in pursuit of the football. His 107 tackles are rare production numbers for a defensive end, showing his ability to impact the game beyond just rushing the passer. He plays with excellent lateral movement, allowing him to chase down plays from the backside and make stops in space. His pass-rush arsenal is diverse, utilizing a combination of speed rushes, inside counters to keep linemen guessing. His closing burst is exceptional, and he rarely misses when he gets a free shot at the quarterback. With his length and ability to disrupt both phases of the game, Charles is a high-ceiling edge prospect with a motor that never stops.   3. Jaiden Henry, Defensive End/Edge – Miami High   Height/Weight: 6'1", 205 lbs   Stats Summary: 70 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 1 fumble recovery   Evaluation: Henry is a pure speed rusher with the ability to blow past offensive tackles before they even get out of their stance. His 17 tackles for loss prove he's just as effective against the run as he is rushing the passer. He excels at shooting gaps and disrupting plays early, making him a natural fit for aggressive defensive schemes. His ability to flatten his rush path is rare—he doesn't waste movement and gets to the quarterback efficiently. While his frame is leaner than some other edge rushers, he makes up for it with his quickness, flexibility, and tenacity. Henry is the type of player who can change a game with one big play and thrives in high-energy situations.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='1143120' first='Khalid' last='Feliz'], Defensive End – Lake Nona High   Height/Weight: 6'4", 230 lbs   Stats Summary: 45 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 15 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery   Evaluation: Feliz has ideal length and natural athleticism that immediately stand out when watching him play. His long arms allow him to keep blockers off his body, giving him time to diagnose plays and make the right move. He is a technically sound pass rusher who uses his hands well and has an effective pass rush moves that makes him difficult to block. His 8 sacks and 15 QB hurries show that he consistently gets into the backfield, but what's equally impressive is his ability to set the edge in the run game. Feliz is still refining his pass-rush repertoire, but with his frame and upside, he has tremendous long-term potential as a balanced defensive end.   5. Brandon Simms, Defensive End/Edge – Seminole High   Height/Weight: 6'0", 225 lbs   Stats Summary: 34 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 blocked punt   Evaluation: Simms is a compact, powerful edge defender who plays with an unmatched motor and a knack for making big plays. His 9 tackles for loss highlight his ability to shoot gaps and disrupt plays before they can develop. He plays with excellent leverage, often getting underneath taller blockers and using his strength to drive them backward. His ability to change direction quickly makes him difficult to block in space, and his blocked punt shows that he brings high effort on special teams as well. He may not have prototypical length for a defensive end, but his explosiveness off the ball and high-energy style allow him to be a highly effective disruptor.   6. Terrence Thompson Jr., Defensive End/Edge – Seminole High   Height/Weight: 6'1", 220 lbs   Stats Summary: 57 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 5 QB hurries, 1 interception   Evaluation: Thompson is a versatile edge defender who plays with excellent instincts and reaction time. His 19 tackles for loss are evidence of his ability to recognize plays quickly and beat blockers to the point of attack. He shows flashes of advanced hand technique, effectively disengaging from blocks and redirecting quickly to the ball carrier. His interception shows that he has some ability to drop into coverage, making him a potential hybrid linebacker/edge at the next level. He plays with a physical, downhill mentality, and when he gets a clean shot on a ball carrier, he delivers heavy hits. Thompson is a smart, instinctual defender who can be used in multiple ways to disrupt an offense.   7. Mekhi Ealy, Defensive Tackle – Harmony High   Height/Weight: 5'9", 230 lbs   Stats Summary: 33 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 blocked field goal   Evaluation: Ealy is an undersized but incredibly disruptive interior lineman who wins with quickness, leverage, and effort. His 17 tackles for loss show just how often he finds himself in the backfield, using his low center of gravity and quick hands to beat slower offensive linemen. He has a great first step, allowing him to penetrate gaps before blockers can react. His motor is non-stop, and he plays with a chip on his shoulder, often outworking bigger linemen. His blocked field goal shows that his explosiveness extends beyond just rushing the passer. While he lacks traditional defensive tackle size, his explosiveness and relentless play style make him a force in the trenches.   Defensive Line Overview   This defensive line group is stacked with high-motor, disruptive playmakers who specialize in penetrating the backfield and making life miserable for quarterbacks. Deanthony Lafayette leads the pack as a proven sack artist with an elite first step, while [player_tooltip player_id='859613' first='Asharri' last='Charles'] brings a mix of length, strength, and high-level production. Jaiden Henry is a pure speed rusher who can turn the corner in a flash, and [player_tooltip player_id='1143120' first='Khalid' last='Feliz'] possesses prototype length and untapped potential.   Brandon Simms and Terrence Thompson Jr. are physical, high-effort defenders who excel in both pass-rushing and run-stopping situations. Meanwhile, Mekhi Ealy defies size limitations with his explosive first step and relentless approach.   This group is built for disruption, with a mix of raw pass-rush specialists and technically refined defenders who can impact the game in multiple ways. Any offensive line facing this unit will have their hands full trying to keep them out of the backfield.

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.