2030 Watchlist: Defensive Playmakers You Need to Know

Today we take look at six of the top defensive playmakers in the 2030 class. The group is comprised of players from all three levels of the defense. These are players who have flashed on the football field for their athleticism, skill, and physicality. It's a group that's Central Ohio dominant. Let's not waste any more time and get too it.    Burnette is a player a player that we've had our eye on for a little while now. Not only do freshmen not usually play at a football program like Pickerington Central, but they also definitely don't start. Burnette came out as a week one starter as a freshman. He's not only played, he's played at a really high level. That includes a 3-interception performance against defending state champion Watterson Eagles. Braylen is an extremely twitchy cornerback who has loose hips. He's a high-end athlete who can run and mirror pretty much any receiver. He's fundamentally sound when it comes to technique as you see him position himself, run with, and get his head around when he sees the eyes of the receiver look for the ball.     Love what I'm seeing from Eisnaugle early into his freshman season. He's a force in the trenches. He's already getting varsity snaps for a talented Columbus DeSales team. Physically he has a stout build. He's a bull off the snap on both sides of the. Depending on how Eisnaugle continues to develop physically I could see him on either side of the ball. Right now because of his height and combination of strength, quickness, and athleticism I like his ceiling at the defensive tackle position a little more, but he's already does a great job on the offensive line at the tackle position. Chantz has great functional strength and plays with heavy hands. He's a fun watch on film because he's a violent finisher with a hunger for domination. As he gets more reps on the defensive side of the ball I think he has a chance to be a game changing type of rush tackle. One who absolutely wrecks offenses. His get-off and pad level along with the aforementioned traits make him a tremendous candidate for that type of upside. I'll have a close eye on this trench monster over the coming years.     Saunders film shows that of a playmaker. He's a very technically sound defensive back. He uses his hands and positions himself well as he defends receivers through their routes. He shows off good closing speed and ball skills to create takeaways. As he continues to develop and get stronger physically, I think he'll be a bully at the line of scrimmage. He's versatile in that he looks comfortable both in man and zone.     Weaver flashes some big-time traits at the linebacker position. Weaver is getting varsity snaps as a middle linebacker. He has a strong, well-developed physical frame. Weaver embodies what a 3-down linebacker in 2026 is. He can play downhill and be violent in the run game. He also has the burst and athleticism to cover and drop in pass defense. Weaver showed his ability run on a scoop and score in week 1 versus Troy. Physical attributes aside Jayden is fundamentally sound in his technique and decisive in his reads.     When you watch Dorado on film, he really jumps off the tape. You're simply not going to find many linebackers with the change of direction and movement skills that he has. His ability to drop his hips and explode is really impressive. In the run game he plays with good pad level and looks to run through ball carriers. He's also a strong wrestler where he shows explosive strength and the understanding of leverage that can translate to the football field. In the pass game Theodore shows the instincts and closing speed to pick off opposing quarterbacks.

Today we take look at six of the top defensive playmakers in the 2030 class. The group is comprised of players from all three levels of the defense. These are players who have flashed on the football field for their athleticism, skill, and physicality. It's a group that's Central Ohio dominant. Let's not waste any more time and get too it.