Senior Stock Risers (Defensive Linemen)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We are on the path towards updating our senior rankings, so our positional breakdown on the top stock risers continue with the D-line. This is a solid crop for the 2025 class that has gotten better throughout the year and became a deeper group. These guys below are the one's we felt improved and did enough to see a spike with the ranking. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1281457' first='Tobja' last='Walters'] - Oak Ridge&nbsp; </strong>(Current Ranking: 6th DL, 46th overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Walters could be one of the more underrated prospects we have in our senior class and I believe Austin Peay is getting a steal with this guy. The Wildcats senior may be shorter than what coaches may want at defensive tackle but Walters makes up for it with his quickness off the ball, his natural power and outstanding hand work. This East Tennessee talent is one of the better interior pass rushers we have from this class and I think he will get even better in this area with continued development. It's very possible Walters moves into the Top Five for the defensive line during our next update and potentially inside our Top Fifty overall players.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL) [player_tooltip player_id='867171' first='Jaden' last='Hudgins-Key'] - McCallie &nbsp; </strong>(Current Ranking: 16th DL, 116th overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Blue Tornado sports one of the better defensive units from our current season and Hudgins-Key has been a big factor behind those efforts. This senior versatile D-lineman is starting to come into his own as you can see on film that Hudgins-Key has filled out better with his body while competing with more explosiveness. What he brings to the field is a skill set that could be used in multiple ways. I like Hudgins-Key as an interior 3-tech guy but he could also provide snaps at defensive end as well. I think the Blue Tornado D-lineman still has room to grow as well, so his best football days should certainly be ahead of him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1641267,"width":"228px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/jhudgins.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1641267" style="width:228px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1103026' first='Bennett' last='Spillman'] - Brentwood Academy &nbsp; </strong>(Current Ranking: 15th DL, 113th overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Moving over to the Eagles to play his senior year, Spillman has taken to his new digs very nicely while pushing his game to another level. This active, quick off the snap defensive lineman impresses me on film with his ability to get off blocks and chase down the ball. Spillman is a good athlete at 6'2 265 pounds that could be utilized in multiple ways across the defensive line. He fits the role of an interior pass rushing 3-tech but Spillman could provide on the end as well. The Eagles senior does need to continue packing on more weight but I like his active motor and ability to shed blocks, which is a big factor behind his rise within our upcoming rankings.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1671226' first='Kylan' last='Sharp'] - Munford &nbsp; </strong>(Current Ranking: Unranked)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Sharp has been one of the biggest stock risers throughout the Fall season as he will go from being unranked to placing himself potentially among the Top 20 defensive linemen in the state. This Memphis area prospect has vastly improved himself from building his body more towards becoming more athletic and explosive. When you turn on his senior film, you see a quick off the ball 3-tech interior lineman that uses his hands well, sheds blocks then chases down the ball with violent intent. I like how Sharp uses his power to stack lineman and either maintain the line of scrimmage or change into his favor. The Cougars senior is a multi talented guy that does good work stopping the run while also providing a pass rush, so I think his value for the next level has definitely improved and made him a potential steal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1704958' first='Jevon' last='Carter'] - East Nashville &nbsp; </strong>(Current Ranking: Unranked)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Going into the 2025 season, Carter was unknown to me, which left him out of first rankings but he quickly burst onto the scene early on and will now place himself possibly among the Top 20 for his position. What stands out about this Nashville area prospect is his size (6'4 250) along with his athleticism that allows him to stand up off the edge and get after the passer. Carter shows some maturity in his game as he knows how to use his hands and get off blocks while taking advantage of offensive lineman that overstep. Seeing how the Eagles D-linemen is built, I could see Carter adding weight in moving inside as well but regardless, I like the makeup of this guy and his potential to develop further on the college level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2047058,"width":"180px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/jcarter.jpg?w=731" alt="" class="wp-image-2047058" style="width:180px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1258053' first='Christian' last='Wilson'] - Volunteer &nbsp; </strong>(Current Ranking: 26th DL, 235th overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Throughout his high school career, Wilson has been one of the more consistent, productive defensive linemen in the state and I believe he put forth his best work this Fall, even if his stats don't show it. The Falcons senior has filled out his body nicely while continuing to develop his natural pass rush abilities that could be utilized as a 3-tech or at defensive end. Wilson isn't the most athletic or explosive but he is crafty with a mature skill set and a simple understanding on how to get to the quarterback. He does need to work on his agility while adding in more power to combat the run but Wilson is a high football IQ guy that shows a great feel for the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1588109' first='Jarius' last='Jones'] - Pope Prep &nbsp; </strong>(Current Ranking: 25th DL, 227th overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Undersized but highly active with quick feet and explosive flashes, Jones should see a rise with his ranking during our next update due to continued growth and improvement with his game. Due to Jones only standing 6 '1 240 plus pounds, the Knights senior may be limited in certain areas but he makes up for it with his athleticism and active motor. He comes off the snap fast and once he breaks the edge, Jones uses nice closing speed to chase down the ball. Looking at his build and how he has developed, I like Jones as an interior 3-tech pass rusher that could occasionally provide snaps on the end. This is a solid ball player that could definitely improve further on a college playing and inside a college weight room.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1622588' first='Porter' last='Ragle'] - MBA &nbsp; </strong>(Current Ranking: 37th DL, 257th overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Committing to Davidson at the beginning of the season, Ragle has put forth a solid senior year where it appears the Big Red defensive end has increased his body mass while continuing to develop his pass rush skill set. Ragle is a high motor guy that gets off the snap well then uses his bend and active hands to get past his blocker. Once he finds an edge, Ragle displays nice closing speed towards the ball and he usually finishes with violence. The one drawback from a recruiting perspective could be his height. Ragle only stands about 6 '2 but he is well built physically with solid arm length, so traits are there to become a good pass rusher during his time at Davidson.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1662681,"width":"231px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/pragle.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1662681" style="width:231px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1634248' first='Jacob' last='Jones'] - Germantown &nbsp; </strong>(Current Ranking: 35th DL, 245th overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Jones took advantage of his last high school season as he stepped up and pushed himself to another level, showing improvement in several areas of his game. A pure 3-tech defensive tackle on the collegiate gridiron, Jones is an athletic, highly active interior pass rusher that shows great initial burst and a mature pass rushing skill set that translates well to the next phase of football. The Red Devils senior is undersized (6'0 295) but makes up for it with strong technique, a solid get-off and active hands that allows him to get off blocks. Getting into the backfield is what Jones does best and that's something that can work well in college and get him on the field early.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DE) [player_tooltip player_id='1134345' first='Blaine' last='Yother'] - Soddy Daisy &nbsp; </strong>(Current Ranking: Unranked)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- His Trojans team might not have had the success they wanted this season but Yother did his part and looked much improved compared to his junior campaign. The biggest thing that I see improvement with is his bend and closing speed. Yother has filled into his body much better while also showing increased agility and athleticism. He also appears to have further enhanced his feel for the game, meaning he displays better hand work while taking better angles into the backfield. Yother also shows the ability to potentially stand up as an edge guy but I like him best at defensive end where the Trojans senior can do work versus the run game as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2026-rankings/?position=DL">Current #TN2026 D-line Rankings</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other DL Stock Risers: </strong>(DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675656' first='De'Antowan' last='Malone'] </strong>- Father Ryan, (DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660956' first='Jajuan' last='Stafford']</strong> - Lebanon, (DT) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675657' first='Taydon' last='Russell']</strong> - Lawrence Co., (DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1699910' first='Xavier' last='Simmons']</strong> - Warren Co., (DE) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2002210' first='Kenny' last='Harris']</strong> - Alcoa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2047181,"width":"350px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/byother-crop-1223x803-1762972322.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2047181" style="width:350px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->