2022 Houston Defensive Linemen on Watch
Listed below are some defensive linemen who I believe deserve some attention for their effort on the field. This watchlist is meant to give players who performed extremely well last season an opportunity to get their names out, and get more…
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Continue ReadingListed below are some defensive linemen who I believe deserve some attention for their effort on the field. This watchlist is meant to give players who performed extremely well last season an opportunity to get their names out, and get more coverage. With so much talent in the area, especially on the defensive line, it can be easy to miss a few standouts. This is only the beginning of a deep list, giving defensive linemen in the Houston area some love.
Dorian Gates, DE – Klein Oak
Gates has a very good frame with excellent length, which he uses to his advantage in one on one situations. Gates has great reach in his arms paired with great speed off of the edge. He is a threat to change the momentum of a game with just one play. Gates has a quick get off and a quick first punch to stun linemen, and uses his long reach to keep blockers away from his body in order to diagnose plays. He is a player who does not stop until the whistle is blown and who will chase a play down 30 yards down the field. Gates utilizes excellent pass rushing moves and is solid in the run game. He is a true disruptor in the passing game for opposing linemen and quarterbacks. Gates currently holds two offers but his name is starting to gain more notice. He will play a much bigger role for the Klein Oak defense next season so anticipate hearing and seeing his name all over the place.
Luke Roaten, DT – Tomball
Roaten is a true force in the middle of the trenches. He has the size, good hands, and uses his power to dominate his opponent. Roaten shows a great get off and is very physical at the point of attack. He has high awareness, diagnosing the blocks and reacting the correct way. Roaten’s ability to disengage and shed blocks are some of the best I have witnessed. He has quick, strong hands that he uses to push aside linemen with ease and chases the ball carrier down. He has an incredible burst off the blocks which leaves the opposition on the ground. Roaten bows up pulling guards, disrupting plays, and takes on anybody in his way. Roaten holds two offers as of now but when more see his film, expect the offers to role in. He is a dominate player who not only looks the part, but plays the part as well. Write down his name and keeps tabs on him.
David Oke, DE – Alief Hastings
Oke is a promising prospect with much potential as an edge defender. He is another rangy athlete who plays physical and uses his speed to his advantage. Oke is excellent as shooting gaps and pressuring opposing quarterbacks. He has the speed to cover much ground and contain plays all the way to the sideline. Oke is rarely outrun, and does an excellent job of being decisive on option reads. Oke forces quarterbacks to make quick decisions and if its the wrong read, Oke is celebrating a tackle for loss. Oke has the talent to be a top defender and next season will be his time to shine. Hopefully he has had an excellent offseason and I expect him to come out on fire for his season year. He has three offers as of now but that is only the beginning for him. I expect him to be hungry and put programs on notice.
Josh Randolph, DE – Westbury
Randolph is a two way athlete who looked promising on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he showed very good hands and blocking ability at the tight end position for his team. On the defensive side, Randolph was a game changer off of the edge. He is another long athlete with incredible range, and it showed on his pass rushes. Randolph utilizes an impressive dip move and uses his speed to get into the backfield. He shows a very good sense for the ball and goes for the strip sack occasionally. His length, range, and long strides are what catch the eye on film. Randolph will be due for a major senior season and will be given the opportunity to get his name out there. He currently holds one offer, but I expect him to start the season off with a bang and get the attention he deserves.
Quinten Renteria, DE – Cypress Creek
Renteria is a very active end who plays with a high motor. He plays with great quick and refuses to be blocked for long. Renteria plays in the backfield. He shows a good jump off of the snap and works around slower linemen to the quarterback. Renteria does an excellent job of maintaining gap control and working up the field. He gives the offense little room to operate between gaps and is physical with his hands at the point of attack. Renteria shows little hesitation, always making a play with full effort. He is a player who is not on the list of many people, but Renteria plays with great effort and deserves some credit. I expect him to turn it up a notch for his senior year.
Lukia Rawls, DT – Klein Oak
Rawls dominates the interior line. He is a player who can change the outcome of a game with his play. Rawls has everything you ask for at that position, He shows power, speed, and physicality. He has very good athleticism and can chase down plays from sideline to sideline. Rawls has excellent lateral speed, and possesses the quickness to beat linemen off of the snap. He uses his hand incredibly well and locks out arms to keep linemen away from his body. Rawls is quick to diagnose plays and is decisive with his moves. Rawls shows flashes of being the best player on the field at times and sometimes seems to be untouchable. The scary thing about Rawls is that he will only get better. He holds one offer, but a player with his talents usually see much more fall in after the first. Rawls name will be mentioned frequently next season, so get used to it now.
Jacoby Brass, DE – North Shore
Brass is a fantastic athlete at the end position. He shows great speed, power, and awareness. Brass has an excellent first step off the snap and is in the backfield in a hurry. He shows a great arsenal of pass rushing moves, usually beating linemen in one vs one situations. Brass is a force in the run game, being able to take blocks head on and defeating them, or showing his speed by chasing plays down. Brass exhibits very good hands and plays without the fear of making a mistake. He has a very smooth game and just makes plays for his defense. Brass holds two offers as of now, but a talent such as his will see plenty more come in. Programs will take notice very soon and I expect nothing less than spectacular for his senior season.