Emerging Norcal Prospects: 5 Must Know Defensive Linemen

Kafoa is one of the top players overall returning across the northern section and one of the top defensive linemen Northern California has to offer that no one seems to know about. He is extremely athletic and agile for his size and gets off the ball quickly while re-setting the line of scrimmage with heavy hands and good leverage. He shows he can quickly get off blocks, works down the line and plays with relentless pursuit to the ball. He gets into the backfield quickly and has a few pass rush moves in his toolbox while able to redirect and plays with consistent lockout and good fundamentals. He has been flying under the radar up to this point but is a no-brainer next level guy that should be drawing interest soon.     Joseph is one of the faster rising defenders across Northern California this spring, and holds offers from Sac State and Delaware State and should see plenty of other FCS+ interest and offers come his way through his senior season. He plays with heavy inside hands, good bend off the edge and is stout against the run while able to use both speed and power to rush the passer from the edge or even kick inside. His initial twitch and explosion off the ball jumps on film, and he is a very well put together and balanced edge prospect that could play multiple position up-front at the next level with plenty of growth potential.     Goldsworthy is a still developing prospect that has tons of upside and untapped potential at the next level and has the ideal size, frame and length to keep packing on weight and grow in college. He is explosive off the ball with heavy hands of the point of attack to create immediate knock-back and does a good job setting the edge and using his length to keep blockers off his chest. He can provide a pass rush from various angles along the defensive front with primary and secondary moves. He is a high motor kid that flies to the ball and bends well for his size around the corner and has plus redirection and movement in the open field. The Amador Valley prospect currently has offers from NAU and UNLV.     Mitchell is one of the best overall athletes across northern California and is extremely fluid and athletic for his size. He should fit nicely as a true edge rusher or outside linebacker in college and has outstanding closing speed, natural bend, explosion off the ball and a quick use of hands the point of attack. He covers a ton of ground quickly when pursuing backside and shows the ability to redirect and make plays in space while able to cover the flats as well. He shows good twitch off the ball and can beat bigger tackles with both speed and power and flashes counter moves. He has tons of untapped potential at the next level with plus athleticism and upside. Mitchell currently holds offers from NAU, SDSU and San Jose State and should be a multi-offer guy through the spring evaluation period and summer.     Tarantino is a tweaner prospect between the edge or inside, but should find his home inside in college and has the frame to pack on another 20 to 30 pounds. He is stout against the run and is a true technician in the trenches with a quick lockout, heavy strike and plays with leverage to get underneath blockers. He moves extremely well for his size in tight windows and shows twitch off the ball with active hands when rushing the passer inside. He is in line for a huge senior season for Marin Catholic and should be one of the top defenders across the Bay Area up front this Fall.