Class of 2023: DL to Watch in Central Texas
These five defensive linemen have already showcased their potential last season as sophomores so things can only go up from here with offseason improvements and more experience. Keep an eye on these players as the football season edges closer in…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThese five defensive linemen have already showcased their potential last season as sophomores so things can only go up from here with offseason improvements and more experience. Keep an eye on these players as the football season edges closer in the months to come.
1. Alessandro Perez – East View High School (Georgetown, TX)
Among the East View defense, Perez was a lone sophomore in a sea of juniors and seniors who helped lead the Patriots defense into what it was. Perez had 48 total tackles and 10 tackles for a loss while also having three sacks, 13 hurries and one forced fumble. Perez was a young star for the Patriots and will now enter the next season as a junior with more experience and even more potential. Definitely keep an eye out for him.
2. Jett Jones – Round Rock High School (Round Rock, TX)
Much like Perez, Jones was also in that same boat last season as he had 45 total tackles with two being for a loss. He also had 1.5 sacks and seven hurries. While Jones may not have gotten into the backfield as much as Perez, he is almost at the same level of potential, which is high. With that growing experience, Jones could soon emerge as a lead-tackler in the area either this year or next, especially with a team as good as Round Rock is.
3. Darrion Burleson – Shoemaker High School (Killeen, TX)
Burleson is also in the same boat, but he leads this group of five with 54 total tackles, five tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. He also has two fumble recoveries to boot, but the fact that his tackle numbers are so high as a sophomore just goes to show the amount of growth he will have for the next two years he will have with Shoemaker. If he can also keep up with the turnovers, and maybe increase his forced fumbles, Burleson could become a great threat to offenses.
4. Jay Simmons – San Marcos High School (San Marcos, TX)
Although San Marcos struggled as a team with a 2-7 overall record, a highlight for the Rattlers was Simmons, who led the team with four sacks on the season. He also had 50 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for a loss. Considering Simmons is already a team leader in a stat category like sacks, he is already making a name for himself for San Marcos. With offseason improvement and more experience, Simmons could help turn things around for the Rattlers but it will take more than just one good defensive lineman to make that happen.
5. Iv Webb – Anderson High School (Austin, TX)
In the same boat as San Marcos, Anderson also has a bright young star in the making with Webb, who had 47 total tackles, eight tackles for a loss, two sacks and one forced fumble. Much like Simmons, Webb has a lot of potential, and although things look bleak for Anderson, as a team, Webb could certainly help turn things around for the Trojans, and make a name for himself in the process.