The Five: #TN2022 Edge Rushers
One of the most dissected and recruited positions in football is the edge rushers. Much like quarterbacks on offense, pass rushers are important as you have to have guys who work the edge well and no how to rush the…
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Continue ReadingOne of the most dissected and recruited positions in football is the edge rushers. Much like quarterbacks on offense, pass rushers are important as you have to have guys who work the edge well and no how to rush the backfield.
Here we take a look at some of the top pure pass rushing defensive end, outside linebackers that we have in-state for the 2022 class.
(This is not a ranking; Players are listed in random order)
1. (DE/OLB) Ethan McLaurin Ethan McLaurin 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Oakland | 2022 State TN (6’2 240) – Oakland HS
– A strong and sturdy defender with long arms and an active motor, McLaurin is a physical competitor that brings a lot of tools to his position. Whether that be stopping the run or getting after the quarterback, McLaurin is a versatile guy that shows the ability to play with his hand in the dirt or stand up at outside linebacker. One key trait that stands out about McLaurin is his ability to consistently play in the backfield. The Patriots rising senior sports a strong lower body along with good balance which helps him bend and move quickly around the tackle. He may not be the tallest but McLaurin has some quicks about him and he plays a physical brand of football that translates well to the next level. Eastern Ky has offered McLaurin but expect many others to get on board sooner than later.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9788298/5ff496609676cd11587b326e
2. (DE/OLB) Kendyle Ball Kendyle Ball 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Davidson Academy | 2022 State TN (6’3 225) – Davidson Academy
– Ball might be the guy on this list that has the biggest upside of anybody but he still has a ways to go before the Bears star defender reaches his maximum capabilities. One of the quickest off the edge, Ball is hard to stop as he plays a physical brand of football that sits on top of athleticism and the unique feel for knowing where the quarterback is at most times. Ball plays with active hands, so he knows how to maneuver past the tackle and quickly motor his way to the ball. He has strong instincts, so once he diagnoses the play, Ball flows fast to the ball and finishes with authority. The Middle Tennessee area edge rusher also shows traits to stand up at outside linebacker on the next level. That versatility and natural pass rushing skills is why Ball has college offers and lots of D1 interest flowing his way.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7857553/5ff292a7ff02381028dd40e9
3. (DE/OLB) Austyn Keen (6’4 215) – Beech HS
– One of the fastest in-state defenders off the edge for this class is Keen and he is far from a finished product but sports a lot of upside and the tools to develop into a college pass rushing defensive end. A long and lean guy with a nice frame for added weight, Keen is an active guy that plays with max effort and has a skill set that is hard for offensive tackles to slow down. He has a great get-off and is usually a step or two past the tackle before the lineman is able to get a grasp on Keen. The Buccaneers stud edge rusher is also very athletic and shows traits to stand up at outside linebacker in the college game. He must continue developing his body and overall game but Keen has the edge, pass rushing abilities and traits that college coaches want on defense with his best football certainly ahead of him.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13373030/6036c67d19a5a91398b8f5a5
4. (DE/OLB) Matthew Plunkett (6’4 220) – McCallie
– Plunkett is an interesting talent as he is far from reaching his maximum capabilities but sports a lot of upside and potential as a college pass rusher. The Blue Tornado defender is a lean and lanky guy with tons of room for body growth but he knows how to use his length to get around lineman and consistently find his way in the backfield. What helps Plunkett get an edge on the opposition is his quick 1st step and ability to bend low and around the tackle. The Chattanooga area defender is quite the athlete. He has the athleticism to do special things on the edge that some others can not. He is also a high character young man that will work hard to improve any area about his game possible. If Plunkett is able to continue developing his body, adding strength and power, he can turn into a feared edge rusher on the college level.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12967490/5fdc4f34689883141445b2b8
5. (DE/OLB) Jeremiah Bailey Jeremiah Bailey 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Smyrna | 2022 State TN (6’3 240) – Smyrna HS
– Considered possibly the best combo defensive end on this list when it comes to stopping the run and getting after the quarterback, Bailey is a physical beast on the edge that plays with violence and an all-out motor that doesn’t stop till the final whistle. The Bulldogs star defender has been a known name around the Middle Tennessee area for a few years now and Bailey has backed up his lofty status thus far as he could be billed as one of the top defensive end prospects in the state. His combination of stopping the run and rushing the passer is very strong and something that translates very well to the college game. Bailey is a technique sound rusher that knows how to use his hands while having a quick 1st step to get in and around the tackle. He holds multiple offers at this point and will certainly add more, especially if he hits the college camp circuit this summer.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11344901/5fc85dae02b3201060046915
Others Considered: Jordan Shepherd Jordan Shepherd 6'4" | 235 lbs | DL Peabody | 2022 State TN – Peabody, Isaiah McGaha – Knox. Central, Jyron McClellan Jyron McClellan 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL Upperman | 2022 State TN – Upperman, Abdul- Abdul-Malik Sholanke Abdul-Malik Sholanke 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL King’s Academy | 2022 State TN – King’s Academy, Levi Herald Levi Herald 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL South Doyle | 2022 TN – South Doyle, Maddox Reed – Summit