TN2027 Defensive Line Watch List

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our instate Defensive line class looks solid headed into the Fall season with some Power Four talent at the top and a position group that shows signs of growing depth but development is certainly needed.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No matter how athletic the game of football has become, you still win ball games in the trenches, so college coaches are actively searching for defensive linemen that can make a difference on the next level and our junior class may provide a few of those guys.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #TN2027 D-line class looks good early on but still has plenty of room for growth. It appears a little top heavy at the moment but I see plenty of guys across the Volunteer State that have the physical traits to raise their game this Fall and get onto the recruiting radar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing that is certain is that MASE junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1527497' first='Jamarkus' last='Pittman'] </strong>is the top guy for our junior D-line class. This 6 '5 interior space eater recently committed to Ole Miss but holds plenty of Power Four opportunities and it's due to his upside as a multi-talented tackle that can clog up run lanes while providing the occasional pass rush.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't see a scenario right now where Pittman isn't the top ranked D-lineman, so who is fighting for second place and beyond? We have several guys in consideration, including a few prospects that provide D-line versatility along with strong college upside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Franklin Road Academy junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866750' first='Keilan' last='Neal'] </strong>is a highly active 3-tech lineman that could be one of the better interior pass rushers we have from the junior class. He still has room to grow with his body but Neal is a smart, savvy guy that simply knows how to play in the backfield. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904973' first='Zachais' last='Ratliff'] </strong>from Southwind is a fast rising prospect that has seen his stock take-off this off-season and I expect that to continue throughout the coming Fall season due to his upside as a disruptive interior rusher.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1692779,"width":"258px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/kneal2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1692779" style="width:258px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Staying in the West Tennessee region, two guys that are generating good buzz at the moment are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1590238' first='Ryland' last='Harris'] </strong>from Germantown and Christian Brothers junior defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402723' first='William' last='Umsted']</strong>. The Red Devils added Harris during the off-season and it was a strong pickup as the junior defensive end shows good pass rushing upside along with having the size needed to play on the D1 level. Umsted is a hidden gem that is quietly working under the radar right now but could be a breakout star during the coming season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sevier Co. junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103040' first='Jaxson' last='Perry'] </strong>is a multi-year starter for his Smoky Bears team that was a key piece during last year's 5A championship run. This is a high motor guy that can rush off the end while also being able to drop in space. Some schools may actually like Perry as a tight end but I see his biggest worth on defense, getting after the quarterback.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two juniors in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675717' first='Dallas' last='Pauldo'] </strong>from Rockvale and Brentwood big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1286232' first='Kyle' last='Nabrotzky'] </strong>are physically gifted young men that have the college size as well as the upside to become formidable pass rushers down the road. Pauldo is still developing into his body but has great size (6'6 240) along with raw athletic abilities. Nabrotzky is tall and long with a nice frame to pack in more weight and eventually develop into a versatile guy that could provide a pass rush from several areas across the defensive line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving to the interior, three guys that spark my interest are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1133950' first='Cash' last='Freeman'] </strong>(Baylor), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902956' first='Justice' last='Pittman'] </strong>(BGA) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1568976' first='Tyi' last='Duncan'] </strong>from Franklin. All three of these guys are tackle prospects that each bring something different to the playing field. Freeman is new to the state after transferring from North Carolina. He is a space eater that moves well for his size, showing the ability to plug run lanes while having the deceptive athleticism to rush the backfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1352873,"width":"246px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/jpittman.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1352873" style="width:246px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pittman is a potential long term, big payoff prospect that has the size needed to contend on the D1 level. He is still developing his body and game but I definitely see the upside within the Wildcats D-lineman. Transferring from Antioch to Franklin this off-season, Duncan is a space eater, a run plugger that can boost his stock in a big way this Fall with more explosive play and the ability to rush the backfield.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many may not know much about James Lawson junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='906621' first='Lawrence' last='Patterson Jr.'] </strong>but people should after the coming season. This 6 '3 245 pound defensive end shows strong upside on film as a pass rusher that can also set the edge to string out the run game. Nolensville junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607186' first='Jake' last='Sentell'] </strong>is another under the radar rusher that could be set for a breakout year. He is a tad undersized (6'2 230) but plays much bigger with a great motor and initial burst off the line of scrimmage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blackman D-lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1648682' first='James' last='Stewart'] </strong>is a 3-tech interior D-lineman that gained a lot of experience last year as a starting sophomore but could be in-store for a productive junior year, especially after forming into his body much better this off-season. A versatile guy that could work the end or inside, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1576763' first='Joshua' last='Lane'] </strong>from Memp. Central shows upside as a rusher that still has plenty of room for growth with both his body and his game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southwind has several good options within their defensive line for the coming 2025 season with one of those guys being nose tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671494' first='Ryan' last='Jenkins']</strong>. This 6 '3 run plugger jumped on my radar earlier this off-season where he showed upside on the interior as someone that could be stout versus the run while being able to provide the occasional pass rush. Jenkins is an athletic guy that could be a sleeper prospect to watch for down the road.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we continue to march through our junior D-line class, the rest of the guys mentioned below don't have a lot of attention on the recruiting trail right now but have the physical traits and upside to turn that around. Nash. Christian junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866728' first='Matthew' last='Newberry'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570539' first='Cayden' last='Allen'] </strong>from South Gibson are two guys in particular that could see interest float their way sooner than later.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newberry is a physical competitor that is still growing into his body but shows the potential to be an edge setting run stuffer that can also get after the quarterback. Allen has done a good job this off-season of adding more weight to build out his frame further. The Hornets junior is growing into a defensive tackle prospect that could occasionally work the end and chase down the quarterback.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more productive pass rushers returning this Fall from our junior class is Knox. Halls defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1629881' first='Travis' last='Brasfield']</strong>. This East Tennessee prospect is still growing into his body but shows a mature, unique feel for getting after the quarterback along with a solid release off the line. Brasfield is still developing his craft but could be someone that sits at the top of the state when it comes to producing sacks this Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1687318,"width":"223px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/72-Travis-Brasfield-rotated.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-1687318" style="width:223px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The interior of the D-line is well represented in this class. There are plenty of these guys written about above but some prospects that may be under the radar at the moment include <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617402' first='Lex' last='Winfree'] </strong>(White Co.), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1654146' first='Kason' last='Boswell'] </strong>(Gallatin) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1583156' first='Mylan' last='Morris'] </strong>from Marshall County. All three of these guys bring something different to the table but have the skill set to play their way into the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winfree is a strong, physical competitor that plays the run well while having enough athleticism to play in the backfield as well. The Green Wave have an active, athletic 3-tech in Boswell that shows a quick get-off with active hands and closing speed towards the ball. Morris is a true nose tackle that moves well for his size. He does well versus the run but can also get off blocks and get to the quarterback.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briarcrest Christian junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651726' first='Donavon' last='Hunt'] </strong>is an intriguing talent that is built like an edge setting defensive end or a growing 3-tech guy that can provide a nice mix of run stuffing and pass rushing to the front seven. It's hard to see exactly what Hunt will be at the college level, so his coming junior season will be interesting to follow and watch how he grows.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two guys that come from areas of the state that don't receive a lot of recruiting attention but have talents to reach the college game are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1646467' first='Colton' last='Mullis'] </strong>from David Crockett and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1584096' first='Colby' last='Cates'] </strong>out of Lewis County.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers junior stands 6'5 230 pounds, sporting the college size needed as well as flashes on film at making an impact with his pass rush. Cates is still forming into his body and packing on the right size but he's a good athlete that shows a mature approach with his pass rushing. Both juniors need more time to develop but have college upside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This junior D-line class looks good at this juncture with several guys that have shown improvement with their off-season work. It does lack overall depth at the moment but like past in-state recruiting classes, the D-line tends to grow with new names as the months go on. I expect this position to become better over time as some prospects above develop further while others jump out of the dark and into the limelight.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other D-linemen on the Radar: </strong>(DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285799' first='De'Nerio' last='Harding'] </strong>- Clarksville, (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687498' first='Ian' last='Friday'] </strong>- MUS, (DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932881' first='Jacoby' last='Sutton'] </strong>- Dresden, (DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932943' first='Jaden' last='Stafford'] </strong>- Lebanon, (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1676951' first='Jeremiah' last='Strickland'] </strong>- Oak Ridge, (DL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933025' first='Jon' last='Parker Graves'] </strong>- Riverside, (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='903292' first='Jordan' last='Phillips'] </strong>- Brentwood Acad., (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1652879' first='Kemonte' last='Williams'] </strong>- Cane Ridge, (DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675569' first='Preston' last='Mooney'] </strong>- Gallatin, (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1584112' first='Ramon' last='Brooks-James'] </strong>- James Lawson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1692782,"width":"277px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/jstewart.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1692782" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->