The Watch List: 2026 DL/EDGE Prospects On the Rise

We're beginning a new series here on the site- The Watch List! In our first installment, we will be covering some of the state's DL/EDGE prospects who have been blowing up this offseason.   Please reach out and send your film our way <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneAL">@PrepRedzoneAL</a> and <a href="https://x.com/CooperMorreale">@CooperMorreale</a> on X/Twitter, we want to cover as many prospects in the state as possible, and this is a direct way to contact us and get on our site!    [player_tooltip player_id='1349520' first='Nicholas' last='Witherspoon'] has been a huge contributor in the trenches for Central Tuscaloosa the last few seasons, both on the offensive and defensive line. Last fall Witherspoon made a ton of huge plays on both sides of the ball but especially shined at DT/DE. At 6'3 290, Witherspoon can completely control the line of scrimmage with his size. He moves really well, generates tons of power, and can completely close up rushing lanes at the line of scrimmage to create huge stops against the run. Witherspoon isn't just a run-stopper- he also generates tons of interior pressure on passing downs, frequently collapsing the pocket and forcing QBs into bad decisions. Witherspoon was dominant up front last fall- ending his junior year with 30 total tackles (4 solo, 26 assisted). Witherspoon has seen his name get out there this offseason, picking up offers from EKU, Toledo, South Alabama, and plenty more over the past few weeks! Be sure to watch Witherspoon's tape below, he's a seriously talented prospect who's set up for a huge year this fall!      Emmanuel Ruffin is a dominant DE out of Bessemer City who has quickly become one of the state's top prospects on the defensive line over the last few months. Ruffin is a terrific run defender- with his size, speed, and power, he gets terrific penetration and is constantly in the backfield. Ruffin eats up space, closes rushing lanes, and has great pursuit along the line of scrimmage he uses to take down RBs for little to no gain. On passing downs, Ruffin is just as productive- he generates lots of pressure, can bat down passes, and takes on double teams to free up opportunities for his teammates on the line. Ruffin came up huge for Bessemer City last fall, ending the year with 51 total tackles (5 solo, 46 assisted, 2 for loss), one sack, and one fumble recovery. With how well he played last season Ruffin has picked up tons of top-tier offers from programs like Miami, Georgia, Alabama, and more. Be sure to watch him next season, he's put together some seriously impressive film you can view below, and is only just getting started.      [player_tooltip player_id='1622460' first='Dontaye' last='Bush'] is a dominant pass rusher out of Williamson who's coming off his best season yet as a starter- he made game-changing plays against some talented offensive lines all of last fall. Williamson is highly athletic and plays with a ton of speed, power, and pursuit- he has a great first step/burst off the line of scrimmage, a ton of different pass rush moves he uses to beat OTs, and a motor he uses to make plays against the run and pass all game long. Bush is a problem off the edge- he constantly beats OTs into the backfield, generating tons of pressure, forcing bad decisions, and racking up sacks. Bush is also terrific at stopping the run- he has great pursuit and closing speed, can fight off blockers, and is a great tackler that prevents little to no yardage after first contact. Bush was dominant up front for Williamson's defense last fall- ending his junior year with 72 total tackles (39 solo, 33 assisted, and 27 for loss), 13 sacks, 12 hurries, and 3 PBUs. With how well he played last fall Bush has had a great offseason recruiting-wise, picking up offers from North Alabama, Alabama State, and more. I was super impressed with Bush's tape, which you can see below, give him a watch- he's seriously talented and will pick up plenty more collegiate attention soon.      [player_tooltip player_id='283568' first='Elijah' last='Peake'] is a dominant force on Wetumpka's defensive line who has made a ton of huge plays at DT over the last few seasons. At 6'2 295, Peake can make plays all over the field- he plays with a ton of speed and agility despite his size, flying around the field to come up with huge stops against the run and pass. Peake is a problem against the run- he gets great penetration, can fight off multiple blocks, and is an excellent tackler who doesn't allow for any extra yards after wrapping up. Peake can also produce against the pass, he provides terrific interior pressure and can collapse the pocket almost entirely on his own. What impressed me most about Peake's film was his motor and the effort he plays with, he doesn't quit on plays and works as hard as possible to come up with stops, no matter where he initially lined up pre-snap. Peake had a monster year for Wetumpka last season, ending the year with 101 total tackles (57 solo, 44 assisted, 18 for loss), 9 sacks, and one FR. Peake has been making a ton of noise out in the recruiting world recently, picking up offers from South Alabama, WKU, North Alabama, and others over the past few months. Be sure to watch his tape below, he's a dominant player that's set up for a huge senior season this fall- don't miss it!      [player_tooltip player_id='1622479' first='Keegan' last='Horn'] is a dominant EDGE out of Hueytown who has helped create one of the state's most dominant defensive fronts over the past two seasons. Horn plays with ridiculous speed- he's incredibly fast and flies to the ball nearly every snap. It's seriously impressive watching Horn get off the line of scrimmage, he has a terrific burst of speed he uses to leave OL in the dust, flying into the backfield to create huge stops against the run and rack up sacks. Horn is incredibly productive as a pass rusher- he completely overwhelms offensive lines with his speed, strength, and pass-rush moves, finding ways to affect the QB on almost every passing down. Horn also has excellent pursuit and can close in on just about anybody on the field- he is terrific at tracking and taking down the ball carrier regardless of where he initially lined up pre-snap. With how well he played last fall, Horn has had a great offseason on the recruiting trail- picking up offers from WKU, UAB, and several others. Be sure to check out his tape below, he and this Hueytown defense are going to have an incredible season this fall, you won't want to miss it.

We're beginning a new series here on the site- The Watch List! In our first installment, we will be covering some of the state's DL/EDGE prospects who have been blowing up this offseason.