STOCK RISERS: Biggest Defensive Jumps in 2024 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 class has been updated on Prep Redzone and some of the state's top juniors made BIG jumps in the latest rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which defenders made the biggest jumps in the latest update?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404070' first='Noah' last='Dixon'] – DB – Troup County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top young defenders in West Georgia, the Troup County defensive back is coming off a fantastic sophomore season where he made plays on both sides of the ball. His length, athleticism, ball skills, and playmaking ability are all reasons why he's made a massive jump in the latest update, coming in at No. 18 in the state, making one of the biggest jumps of any prospect in the 2024 class. He has plenty of size at 6-foot-2 175-pounds and shows impressive instincts and athleticism in coverage. He also displayed impressive hands last year and the ability to make a play on the ball in the air. He covers a lot of ground in the secondary and knows how to play the ball. He has reliable hands on offense with enough speed and quickness to take off for big yards after thee catch. He's solid against the run and knows how to strike the ball-carrier and drive him backwards. One of the top overall defensive backs in Georgia, Dixon holds offers from Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, among others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='334633' first='Wendell' last='Gregory']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/wendell-gregory/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/wendell-gregory/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;– Walton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the fastest-rising linebackers all across Georgia, Gregory is an explosive defender who has the ability to blow up any particular play. He has a long frame at 6-foot-4 215-pounds and he's only going to get bigger and stronger over time. He really came on last year and you could see him getting better and better, making him one of the biggest risers in the latest update, coming in at No. 22 in the state. He played a lot more towards the end of the year and ended his sophomore season with 48 tackles, 6 TFLs, and broke up four passes in coverage.. When you turn on the film, it's easy to see why his recruitment started to take off some this offseason. He's a sure tackler, but Gregory also showed he's reliable in coverage and can play some safety too if the Raiders need him there. He's a stout defender and put together well physically with a chance to double his tackle total next year as a junior. So far, Gregory holds offers from Michigan, Virginia Tech. North Carolina, Michigan State, among others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321446' first='Champ' last='Thompson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/champ-thompson/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;– Meadowcreek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-foot-3 275-pounds, Thompson is a big interior line prospect with impressive burst and quickness. The Meadowcreek standout incredibly strong and powerful for someone his age, but his quickness off the ball makes him stand out among others in the region. He made a massive jump in the rankings, and he's now ranked as the No. 21 prospect in Georgia. His ability to be disruptive in the middle of the trenches and command demands double-teams make him one of the top defensive linemen across Georgia for the upcoming season. He sheds blocks like a veteran and is so tough for anyone in the area to handle him one-on-one. He plays violent, shoots the gaps well, and has a knack for making plays in the backfield. He uses his hands well and has shown already that he can get off blocks using either his raw power or quickness. Look for him to have a massive junior season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='332435' first='Nasir' last='Smith']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nasir-smith-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;– Grayson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An outstanding interior defensive line prospect out of powerhouse Grayson, Smith looks the part physically and has plenty of raw strength combined with impressive quickness at 6-foot-4 295-pounds. He was ranked at No. 60 in the state coming into the summer, but now, Smith is ranked by Prep Redzone as the No. 31 prospect in Georgia. He has the size capable of being a terror on the inside this fall, but he's still lean enough to ass even more weight and muscle over time. He's expected to have a giant junior year, so don't be surprised if he picks up more major offers this fall. The impressive interior lineman already holds impressive offers from Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan State, Auburn, among others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->