This week we are finishing up ranking the 2024 class of recruits. It has been a class loaded with talent at nearly every position, however, no other position group stands out like the number of edge rushers, –run stoppers, and guys that can wreck havoc in backfields like the 2024 class of defensive linemen. So we won’t waste any more of your time, let’s dive right into some of the best in the defensive trenches.
#20.Calvin Kalu-Alexander (24) | 6’1 , 215 | Edge | Ridge Point
Calvin is one to keep your eye on, a very raw player who shows some good purist to the ball carrier and can make his way into the backfield. Should be a great player for Ridge point who can develop more into a dominant force on the d-line for them.
#19.Abdon Mata (24) | 6-2, 210 | Edge | Steele
Abdon is central texas stand out that has all the intangibles to be a special FBS caliber player. Plays well against the run and pass, the technique could improve, but shows consistency making plays and patience letting lays develop and come to him.
#18.Jussiah Ali (24) | 6-2, 285 | DL | Roosevelt
Ali can make some big plays happen and shows some speed and athleticism getting to the ball carrier. He’s got some size to him and can rush off the edge, moves well for. big man. FBS caliber prospect who can play off the edge or in the trenches.
#17.Boone Morris(24) | 6-2, 205 | Edge | Mount Vernon
Boone is a very athletic edge defender who plays well against the run or pass, and one who can also chase down the QB with his speed and pursuit. FBS caliber prospect who could also play linebacker at the next level.
#16.Cameron Clay (24) | 6-3, 220 | DL | Brewer
Clay could be the next recruit up for Brewer, shows a high motor getting to the backfield and racking up TFLs have long arms and are very explosive of the LOS.
#15.Jaedon Langley (24) | 6’3, 230 | DL | Boswell
Langley is a very raw player with some good pursuit to the ball carrier. Shows a high motor making TFLs, flying sideline to sideline, or making his way to chalk up a sack in the stat column. One prospect to know; holds offers from SMU and Texas Tech.
#14.Zhaiylen Scott (24) | 6-2, 215 | Edge, LB | Cedar Hill
Scott could be one elite prospect flying under the radar and is one worthy of keeping an eye on. Flashes speed, strength, and agility; the pass-rushing ceiling is very high and is dangerous when isolated on the edge. Should he continue to grow and add more mass he could raise himself a lot of recruiting boards and rankings.
#13.Xadavien Sims (24) | 6-3, 250 | DL | Sherman
Sims is an athlete who plays both ways at tight ends and on the defensive line. Has the size, intangibles to be a special player, equine, and pursuit of the ball carrier could improve. Otherwise terrific FBS caliber prospect who is very athletic for his size.
#12.Legend Journey (24) | 6-2, 250 | DL | Mansfield Summit
Legend is one prospect to know, long frame, long arms, and can play multiple positions along the defensive line. Shows patience letting plays develop and come to him, but also shows terrific pursuit to the ball carrier and a lethal swim move, which he uses to defeat blockers consistently. Speed and strength are there, I like this recruit and believe he could raise his stock soon.
#11.Dealyn Evans (24) | 6-4, 260 | DL | Pine Tree
In sophomore season Evans had 55 tackles, 15 TFLs, and 5 sacks, Very versatile player who plays both ways at a tight end and off the edge. Strength and athleticism bear out on the defensive side of the ball. Could project to be a dominant interior player who plays well against the run and pass. Holds 5 Division I offers.
#10.Loghan Thomas (24) | 6-4, 210 | Edge | Paetow
Logan is explosive off the edge for Paetow and helped them in their race for gold last season. Thomas is explosive out of his stance, has excellent size to be a dominant force getting after the quarterback, and can play multiple positions along the front of the defensive line. Only one offer from Texas Tech–for now.
#9.Edward Smith (24) | 6-6, 220 | DL | Dawson
Edward could be next up, one that could very easily explode onto the scene and become one of the top-ranked and recruited defensive ends in his class; why you might ask? His size, at 6’6, makes him an elite defensive end prospect with terrific height and frame length with tons of space to add mass, but not only that his ability to maintain a low pad level and get after the QB is phenomenal. Can fly blockers in the blink of an eye or beat them with strength. Can play multiple techiness and cover all of the gaps. FBS prospect who will be special at the next level.
#8.Ashton Coker (24) | 6-3, 270 | DL | Taylor
Interior defensive linemen who can get after the QB with great speed and strength. Loved his athleticism getting to the quarterback and plugging up the gaps along with that interior of the defensive line. Plays hard and makes plays in the trenches. Special Division I talented recruit in Coker
#7.Alex January (24) | 6-4, 315 | DL | Duncanville
Alex is a big body that can plug up that interior of that defensive line and is an excellent run-stopping defender. Shows tremendous strength, speed, and athleticism for a big guy, with a strong bu rush to make his way into the backfield for some TFL’s Holds 5 Division I offers from schools like Arizona, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Toledo, and Tulsa.
#6.Nigel Smith Jr (24) | 6-4, 245 | DL | Melissa
Nigel is a very versatile player on that defensive front, can play multiple techniques, and can plug up all of the gaps. Terrific size, height, with long arms and pairs it well with his strength and speed off the edge. Holds 16 division I offers to schools like Baylor, Florida State, LSU, Nebraska, and others.
#5.Jermy Jackson Jr. (24) | 6-3, 195 | Edge | Waxahachie
Jermey was 11-6A Newcomer of the Year with 16 TFLs, 9 Sacks, 4 FF as a sophomore for good reason. Check out this guy’s speed off the edge, one of the fastest to the QB on this list; maintains a good low pad level, explosive of the LOS, and can beat blockers with an arsenal of moves. FBS caliber prospect with a huge ceiling for success at the next level who is flying under the radar at the moment,– but not for long. Holds offers to Boston College, SMU, and Texas Tech.
#4.Brock Jackson (24) | 6-3, 225 | Edge | Lumberton
Brock is an elite edge or outside linebacker prospect with terrific height and frame length, very lean athletic looking, and one who can stand up or put his hand on the ground and dominate. He is lethal off the edge, flashes great speed and tremendous strength disengaging from blockers and is one whom we believe will raise his stock not only on our rankings but on a lot of recruiting boards across the country. Holds
#3.Zion Taylor (24) | 6’2, 225 | Edge | Shadow Creek
Zion holds 13 early offers from schools like Michigan State, Pitt, Texas Tech, Purdue, and others. Zion flashes some impressive lethal hand moves and speeds off the edge, easily beating blockers on the way to the quarterback. Very explosive off the LOS, very athletic looking with potential to add more growth and mass to his frame, which will only boost his stock as one of the top edge rushers in his class even more.
#2.Caleb Mitchell Irving (24) | 6-2, 255 | DL | DeSoto
Caleb is a beast on the defensive line and can make his way into the backfield easily. Can also put his hand in the ground or stand up and wreck havoc in the backfield. Has a great frame with long arms which he uses to bull rush with great strength and speed. Holds 17 total division I offers.
#1. Zina Umeozulu (24) | 6-4, 210 | Edge | Allen
Zina can get the quarterback in the blink of an eye and make you wince when he lays a hit on the quarterback. One of the most elite in his class that is next level ready with great size, explosiveness, and ability to find his way into backfields makes him one of the most recruited edge rushers in the nation in 2024 class. Holds 18 division I offers to schools like Alabama, Florida, Georga, Texas, and USC to name a few. A future Sunday type of player who will have immediate success at the next level when the time comes.
