Promising Houston-Area Defensive Ends in the 2027 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Houston area is once again producing high-upside defensive talent in the 2027 class. This group features rangy edge defenders with power and natural pass-rush traits, and the length to impact both the run and the pocket. These are names to follow with the potential to jump the rankings with stellar play.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cael Thigpen | Jersey Village</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thigpen flashes great skill at the edge position. He has a quick get-off and plays with tremendous physicality. He has long arms and uses them well to fend off blockers and set the edge. Thigpen has a bag of pass rushing moves that he can use at crucial moments. His frame and strength allow him to be disruptive in both the run and pass. Thigpen has the tools needed to change a game on the defensive side of the ball and will have the opportunity to establish himself as one of the best in the area next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19658024/691cc583da75fadc2015497e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6952173b02d1f"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leo Flett | Tompkins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flett excels at run defense, clogging run lanes and using his lateral speed to defeat reach blocks on the edge. He is a technically sound player, a rusher who maintains his lanes and creates havoc in the interior. Flett plays with great urgency and reads his keys very well, hip-pocketing pullers or getting down the line to make plays from the backside. His ability to hold his ground in the run game is one of his standout traits, making him a valuable piece for the defense. Flett will be a player to watch next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16645050/691b55bf406287e287777173' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6952173b02d66"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tomi Ajao | Fort Bend Hightower</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ajao's size and frame alone makes passing the ball a challenge for opposing teams. At 6'6 with incredibly long arms, Ajao disrupts the vision of quarterbacks and knows how to get his hands up to deflect passes. He has an amazing first-step and get-off especially on situational downs and has flashed great speed-to-power rushes in game. Ajao can get around tackles with his quickness and with his long strides can get to the quarterback in a hurry. He made the most out of his opportunities last season and, with a strong offseason, can be one of the top guys at the edge position next year with the skills he has.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19954459/691dcfd3d546aafa16c97c6e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6952173b02d97"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Landon Glaze | Atascocita</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glaze might be one of those players to jump onto the scene and never look back. He pops out on the field with his 6'6 frame and moves very well for his size. His is both fluid and twitchy, coming off the snap low and firing through blockers. He shoots gaps with urgency and uses his speed to get around the edge to make plays in the backfield. Glaze uses his long arms to swipe through opposing linemen's arms and make his way to the quarterback. He has "Game-Wrecker" written all over his play and is definitely a guy to have on the boards to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22458371/6918fd6fdc5adf429deec13e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6952173b02dc6"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gideon Colby | Kingwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colby's use of hands to defeat blocks may be some of the best I have seen in a while. His work to swipe, shoot, and counter gets him free and allows him to make plays in the backfield. He gets off the ball quickly and does not allow opposing blockers to get a hold of him. Colby is excellent in run defense, defeating blocks and not allowing much inside or outside. As a pass rusher, his speed is his best tool. Colby shows a relentless pursuit to the ball and plays and exciting game worth the watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20309924/6912268be2294d59ca781444' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6952173b02df4"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chase Lewis | Dickinson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis plays with great tenacity and physicality, imposing his power on opponents. He plays fast and is a disruptor, running through anything in his path and taking down anybody near the ball. Lewis shows a relentless pursuit and is a matchup nightmare for opposing tackles. He dominates on the outside using his strength and quickness and gives his team a momentum boost with every negative play created. Lewis had a very strong junior campaign and will look to build on it for next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20511556/6937a92f5d430005f4441bf7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69521d0573e59"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->