As the season approaches we are closing our pre-season preview with a closer look at the class of 2025. Discover here some of the top 2025 defensive line recruits to know in Texas High School Football to know this season.
Top 5
Lance Jackson (25) | 6-5 / 240 | DL, DE, TE, ATH | Pleasant Grove
Lance can fly and before the edge with his lengthy athletic lengthy frame and arms, he is a mismatch for most on both sides of the ball. Whether that be on offense or on defense Lance can make plays. Shows a high motor and pursuit of the football with an explosive twitch off the edge, Lance explodes off the edge and out of his stance with great agility and speed. Lance holds 7 early division I offers from Baylor, SMU, and Texas Tech to name a few. Whether he plays the defensive line or at tight end, Jackson will be a top recruit for years to come.
Landon Rink (25) | 6-2 / 225 | DL | Cy-Fair
Landon is an explosive defensive line player who can play either the interior of off the edge because of his athleticism. With his lengthy wingspan, Landon is able to keep blockers at bay and beat them with a strong bull rush that never stops until he makes his way to the quarterback or ball carrier. Rink brings a lot of energy and juice to that defensive line and can cause havoc for opposing offenses. Look for him to be a name you hear a lot of this season for Cy-Fair. Has earned three offers thus far from SMU, Texas, and Texas Tech. Also worthy to note, Landon’s father is former UT longhorns defensive end that played in the early 90s in Austin.
Xavier Ukponu (25) | 6-3 / 250 | DL | Guyer
Xavier is a big framed nose tackle who has great size, a quick first step and displays good strength in his bull rush. Can make TFLs or sacks in the backfield by overpowering blockers, with more development Xavier could be a breakout recruit to know this fall for Guyer.
Keylan Abrams (25) | 6-0 / 200 | Edge | DeSoto
Keylan could very well be a highly rated defensive end or edge for DeSoto, a bit undersized at the moment, however, Abrams is an athletic and effective pass rusher who can get after ball carriers in the backfield with a number of different moves. Keylan is able to beat defenders with his explosiveness off the ball and pure speed and agility; his speed move is lethal and can often result in “look-out” blocks from offensive linemen. Should Abrams continue to grow and add more mass to his frame there is no doubt he could be yet another highly rated and recruited player for DeSoto.
DJ Sanders (25) | 6-3 / 280 | DL | Bellville
DJ had a phenomenal year in 2021 with 59 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for losses, 9.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble helping him earn Texas 4A-II Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a freshman. Holds one early offer to Baylor, and with his size, and intangibles DJ should generate more interest this fall.
Watchlist
Chris Minor (25) | 6′ / 315 | DT | Klein Forest
Landry Sattler (25) | 5-10 / 190 | DE,DT | Parish Episcopal
Prophet Hishaw (25) | 6-1 / 270 | DT | Hillcrest
Travis Buhake (25) | 6-2 / 225 | DL | Mansfield Summit
Andre Roy (25) | 6-2 / 200 | Edge | Bridgeland
Okello Okello (25) | 6′ / 228 | DE, TE | Bowie
Jaydan Shaw (25) | 6-1 / 245 | DT | Lancaster
Kyle Majanga (25) | 6-2 / 210 | DE | Keller Central
Joseph Trickett (25) | 6-3 / 210 | DE | Houston Christian
