Top Defensive Performances From Week 5
We’re getting closer and closer to the mid-way point of the season and we’re seeing defenders across the state have giant games each week. Which defenders had monster games in week 5? Prep Redzone takes a look… Cosby Ellis –…
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Continue ReadingWe’re getting closer and closer to the mid-way point of the season and we’re seeing defenders across the state have giant games each week.
Which defenders had monster games in week 5?
Prep Redzone takes a look…
Cosby Ellis – East Coweta
A physical, instinctive linebacker, Ellis is a true football player with a nose for the football. Against South Georgia powerhouse Lowndes, Ellis made his presence known early and often in East Coweta’s big 49-34 win. He was all over the field on Friday night, making 15 total tackles, four TFLs and four sacks. No matter where he lined up, Ellis found the ball carrier and made a giant impact. He’s an excellent pass rusher, but he knows how to run sideline to sideline to get to the ball carrier as well. He’s an absolute force and someone that makes it very hard on offenses to move the ball. He’s had a giant senior season so far, making 44 tackles and six TFLs. He’s also made four sacks and has forced two fumbles so far as a senior. Look for him to light up the stat sheet for the rest of the season as East Coweta pushes for a deep playoff run in November.
Eddrick Houston Eddrick Houston 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Buford | 2024 State GA – EDGE – Buford
One of the top overall defenders in the entire state, Houston proved why he’s a possible 5-star candidate in the 2024 class over the weekend. The big, athletic EDGE defender dominated as usual, but may have had his best game of the year in a big 44-16 win over Carver. The outstanding defender has plenty of size and a promising frame at 6-foot-3 255-pounds and was unblockable last Friday night. Houston made 15 total tackles in the win along with four sacks, seven QB pressures and one forced fumble. He sets the edge against the run, sheds blocks with ease, and knows how to get after the quarterback. He’s so difficult to block for just one lineman, so expect Houston to have more big games like this during his junior season in 2022.
Ayden Jackson, DB, Walton
It’s hard to find a two-way player who had a better week than Walton’s standout athlete, Ayden Jackson. An impressive wide receiver and defensive back, Jackson made play after play on both sides of the ball in their big 30-17 win over Marietta. As a receiver, Jackson caught just four passes for 111 yards. Defensively, Jackson was a lock-down defensive back in coverage, playing outstanding against a pass-happy Blue Devil offense, Jackson came up big all night long in the secondary, making two big INTs that helped lead Walton to the win.
Jonathan Mathis – LB – Norcross
One of the more underrated linebackers in Gwinnett County for the 2023 class, Mathis is an athletic 5-foot-11 200-pounder who plays on both sides of the ball for the 2-2 Norcross Blue Devils. He’s been a tackling machine so far this season and had a dominant performance defensively in week five, making 15 total tackles, one TFL, one PBU, and a safety in a big 37-0 victory over Discovery. He was all over the field, showed great instincts, and brought a physical presence to the Blue Devil defense. More importantly, he led the defense to a shutout. So far this season, Mathis has made 33 tackles and 7 TFLs.