Sleeper Texas D-Linemen With No Offers
There is and always has been a plethora of talent in the trenches in Texas. With so many guys still looking for their first opportunity to play at the next level, there are a lot of guys who have the…
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Continue ReadingThere is and always has been a plethora of talent in the trenches in Texas. With so many guys still looking for their first opportunity to play at the next level, there are a lot of guys who have the talent but not the notoriety. After grinding the tape and compiling this list of guys flying under the radar that make impacts in backfields around the state.
EDGE Ramon Pernas | 6’4″ 225lbs | 2024 | Tomball
Ramos Pernas flashed his talent in 2021, generating buzz around his name. Pernas uses his length and hands to win at the point of attack. He applies pressure on the QB and can finish. His handful of sacks in the fall as well as applying pressure attest to his pass-rush ability. He beats tackles inside with speed and rips the tackle’s arms away. Pernas runs with a high motor that drives him through traffic to chase down a ball carrier. With his size and ability, he can line up as the end in either a 3 or 4-man front, as Tomball runs both. At the SMU camp, Pernas showed fluid movement, good technique, and success in competition.
EDGE Jake Darling Jake Darling 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL San Marcos | 2023 State TX | 6’3″ 245lbs | 2023 | San Marcos
One of the most diversely utilized players I’ve scouted recently is Jake Darling Jake Darling 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL San Marcos | 2023 State TX . With his combination of strength, speed, and mental capacity Darling lines up as an EDGE rusher, DT, and off-ball linebacker. Darling has been perfecting his craft all offseason and has high praise from D-Line training specialist Coach Carter. Darling has quick hands with strong arms that can rip through any linemen. His spin move is quick and does a great job of staying tight and getting around the linemen. Against some great competition at OU, SMU, and TCU’s camps he was able to win in a convincing fashion.
DT Antoine Milon | 6’1″ 260lbs | 2024 | Klein Collins
Playing with a quick get-off and a non-stop motor out of Klein Collins is Antoine Milon. On a lot of reps, Milon is the first one out the gate even beating his fellow edge rushers to the punch. With his athletic versatility, he lines up everywhere from the 0-tech to the 3-tech on the interior. With swift feet and a solid lower body foundation, he can beat linemen with speed or a bull rush. Milon’s ability to do anything is what makes him special. You can run him on stunts, line him up at nose, or slide him to the 3-tech to get after the QB and the result is the same, he wins.
EDGE Lorenzo Esparza | 6’2″ 225lbs | 2023 | Cy-Fair
Lorenzo Esparza is instore to have a very successful 2022 season. He’s a playmaker at the EDGE spot and can bring a lot to his Bobcat defense. The smaller things like getting your hands up went the QB throws, chasing down ball carriers backside, and going after loose balls, Esparza does these things. I like how he does a lot of little things right and can bring guys down for a loss. Esparza is quick and it shows outside of his get-off as he’s quick in his pass rush which is difficult for bigger tackles’ feet to keep up with. The tools that Esparza has makes him a viable threat to go off in 2022.
EDGE Nicolai Nelson | 6’2″ 205lbs | 2023 | Christoval
Nicolai Nelson is a stand-up prospect that plays well with his eyes to read the play and bring down backs. Nelson shows an understanding of assignment football while also using his physical tools to win. He does a good job of using his hands to disengage with blockers to make the tackle. His tackling ability appears to be a strong suit as he comes with proper form as well as force. Nelson doesn’t give up on the play, if he doesn’t initially win he continues to drive and use his hands to try to make a play.