#TN2023 Rankings: Defensive Breakdown

Chris Smith June 13, 2021 @ 11:02 AM

As we continue to look deeper into the 2023 #PRZTN Top 100, here we talk about the guys from the defensive side of the ball that cracked the initial player rankings. What you have here is a collection of defenders that yes still must develop but sport physical traits and the upside to find themselves playing big time college ball very soon, so let's get started! Defensive Line - The early look at the defensive line class for the 2023 crop tells me that this could be one of the best D-line classes we have had in-state in several years. There is still tons of development to go but you have prospects that sport several physical traits and upside to not only make it to the next level but make it to the biggest stage possible. Everything starts at this position with the #1 overall prospect in the current Top 100 and that honor goes to Riverdale edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id="102249" first="Caleb" last="Herring"]. The 6'5 220 pound rising senior has loads of potential and has yet to really reach his maximum potential. Herring has the athleticism and agility to play defensive end or outside linebacker in the collegiate game. Following behind Herring are Father Ryan (DL) [player_tooltip player_id="102191" first="Drake" last="Carlson"] and Greenbrier (DE) [player_tooltip player_id="150344" first="Nathan" last="Robinson"]. These two guys have burst onto the scene this year as two formidable prospects that Power Five schools are very interested with. Carlson (#14) is a versatile guy that could play all four D-line positions while Robinson (#26) is a budding star on the edge that plays linebacker for his Bobcats team but translates best in college at defensive end. St. Benedict's (DT) [player_tooltip player_id="102261" first="Ethan" last="Jones"] (#39) rounds out the defensive linemen in the Top 40 and he currently sits as the top defensive tackle prospect for the 2023 class. I foresee the D-Tackle position for the 2023 class developing in several areas over the coming year, meaning I feel other guys could step up and contend with Jones for that top spot. Other Ranked D-Linemen: (#48) [player_tooltip player_id="123171" first="Javon" last="Ekuaze"] - McGavock, (#52) [player_tooltip player_id="102183" first="Kevin" last="Bradley"] - Nash. Christian, (#60) [player_tooltip player_id="102292" first="Donovan" last="Nevils"] - BGA, (#70) [player_tooltip player_id="102189" first="Bradley" last="Cannon"] - Elizabethton, (#74) [player_tooltip player_id="102200" first="Demonte" last="Cook"] - Lebanon, (#79) [player_tooltip player_id="102321" first="Raleigh" last="Seals"] - USJ, (#94) [player_tooltip player_id="102339" first="Nehemiah" last="Storey"] - Rockwood, (#100) [player_tooltip player_id="153183" first="Marceo" last="Collins, Jr"] - Baylor Linebackers - Topping the rankings for the linebackers in our 1st #PRZTN Top 100 is Mt. Juliet (TN) hybrid [player_tooltip player_id="102205" first="Ethan" last="Crisp"]. The reason why Crisp (#7) is listed at “hybrid” because the Golden Bears star junior has the athleticism and agility to drop back and play coverage or play close to the line, stuffing the run. He is your new age “Star” position player that can be used in a variety of ways. Behind Crisp for the linebackers, we have a collection of guys who have strong upside but still need work before they become a finished product. Nolensville (TN) LB [player_tooltip player_id="150365" first="Taylor" last="Wein"] (#34) is a very interesting player, standing 6'5 210 pounds with the length and frame to develop into an outstanding outside linebacker or defensive end prospect on the next level. Lausanne (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="102318" first="Drew" last="Scott"] (#38) and Powell (LB) [player_tooltip player_id="150366" first="Jason" last="Foust"] (#63) are two highly active, physical competitors that could play all three linebacker positions. Scott is a well built young man that can hit you with force or fall back into space and cover. Foust has good size at 6'2 along with length to cause issues in the passing game. He needs more weight added to his frame but has the intensity and range to make it in the college game. Other Ranked LB's: (#66) [player_tooltip player_id="102229" first="Jerrell" last="Franklin"] - Oakland, (#76) [player_tooltip player_id="150372" first="Bryan" last="Longwell"] - Lipscomb Acad. (#85) [player_tooltip player_id="102363" first="Tate" last="Wirth"] - St. George's, (#96) [player_tooltip player_id="150368" first="Tristan" last="Bohannon"] - Munford Defensive Backs - The position on defense that is possibly the most unknown are the defensive backs and it's not from a lack of talent but more so from a lack of full development. Unlike the 2021 and 2022 in-state recruiting classes, the 2023 crop of defensive backs right now are not established guys nor have the depth but that doesn't mean it can't get there eventually. Leading the way for the DB's right now is Hillsboro (CB/S) [player_tooltip player_id="133432" first="Syncere" last="Safeeullah"]. Standing 6'2 175 pounds, Safeeullah (#19) is your prototypical cornerback in football these days with his height, length, body radius and overall athleticism. The Burros star defender sports all those traits and already holds SEC offers from Kentucky and Ole Miss, so Power Five coaches view his upside and like it. Holding an offer from the home state Volunteers, Covington (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="150379" first="A.C." last="Mason-Young"] has already been put on the map as a must see prospect and someone that could develop into the top overall DB for the in-state 2023 class. This West TN defender is an ultra athletic guy with a lot of position versatility. Mason-Young has a game that fits best at safety but he could easily slide down to nickel and excel or even help out on the outside if needed. Two other West Tennessee defensive backs to learn about now are [player_tooltip player_id="151286" first="Jaxon" last="Hammond"] from Christian Brothers and [player_tooltip player_id="102311" first="Langston" last="Rogers"] from Lausanne. These two guys are prospects that are already on the radar of several college coaches with Hammond (#28) holding offers from Arkansas St, Austin Peay and a few others. Rogers (#30) has yet to see those offers but he has as much upside of any defensive backs in the 2023 class. We have to mention two more guys of note and both are from the Middle Tennessee region. Cane Ridge (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="102341" first="LaVonte" last="Sutton"] (#46) and Blackman (DB) [player_tooltip player_id="150380" first="Dyson" last="Bell"] (#59) are two wow type prospects because of their size and natural athleticism but are both still raw and developing. Their upside and potential is high and they have a chance to reach the Power Five level with continued work. Other Ranked DB's: (#65) [player_tooltip player_id="102227" first="Adam" last="Fontechia"] - Brentwood, (#71) [player_tooltip player_id="102216" first="Alpha" last="Diallo"] - P.U.R.E. Academy, (#83) [player_tooltip player_id="102253" first="Cameron" last="Hudson"] - Northeast, (#87) [player_tooltip player_id="102248" first="Evan" last="Haynie"] - Baylor, (#99) [player_tooltip player_id="102286" first="Will" last="McDaniel"] - MUS Athletes - This position is posted with the defense simply to give it a bigger spotlight as there is too much talent here to give anything less than the attention it deserves. Two guys reside in the top 10 with [player_tooltip player_id="102344" first="Marquez" last="Taylor"] from McKenzie and [player_tooltip player_id="102310" first="Elijah" last="Rogers"] from Knox. West. These are two elite level talents that could play and excel at multiple positions on the next level. Taylor (#6) is a speedster with a well built frame that has strong upside at cornerback, running back or slot receiver while Rogers (#8) is a physical, natural athlete that has Power Five receiver or safety written all over him. A pair of big men follow next with one guy from the Middle Tennessee area and one from the Eastern Region. CPA (Sr) [player_tooltip player_id="102187" first="Bo" last="Burklow"] (#31) is a two sport star (baseball) and a two way talent that is being recruited for tight end or defensive. Knox. Catholic (Sr) [player_tooltip player_id="102223" first="Trevor" last="Duncan"] (#27) is a tall and long young man with a great frame that could play well on the offensive or defensive line. Ensworth (TN) two way talent [player_tooltip player_id="150474" first="Jacob" last="Page"] (#32) is a guy that could keep rising up the rankings over the coming months. He recently added his 1st college offers and they were some big ones from Miss. St, South Carolina and Tennessee. Three dynamic, natural athletes that many may not know now but will in due time. Smyrna (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102193" first="Arion" last="Carter"] (#35), Briarcrest Chrst. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102260" first="Devin" last="Johnson II"] (#50) and Maryville (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id="102349" first="Noah" last="Vaughn"] (#55) are three big play, versatile guys that simply makes plays wherever you put them on the field. They don't have any offers yet but they will come. Other Ranked Ath's: (#56) [player_tooltip player_id="102346" first="Donivon" last="Thomas"] - Brainerd, (#58) Tristan Taylor - Whitehaven, (#69) [player_tooltip player_id="150477" first="Tison" last="Johnson"] - Morristown-West, (#73) [player_tooltip player_id="102295" first="Sam" last="O'Leary"] - Knox. Catholic, (#75) [player_tooltip player_id="102319" first="Ian" last="Scott"] - Brentwood Acad., (#81) [player_tooltip player_id="123167" first="Zay" last="Webber"] - McKenzie, (#93) [player_tooltip player_id="102323" first="Landon" last="Seward"] - Arlington