Defensive Ends-Florida-Class of 2016

Since I started in this business over ten years ago there have been some great looking defensive end prospects. This year may be the best ever for talent top to bottom. You have three elite level defensive end prospects from the Sun-Shine State. Nick Bosa the younger brother of Joey Bosa who is an All-American at Ohio State, Janarius Robinson from Panama Bay High School who is as talented as any defensive end to come out in the past five years and Shavar Manuel who recently left Blake High School and will be attending IMG Academy this fall. All three are elite level talents and could be considered the best at their position nationwide. ESS will break down the defensive end position for the class of 2016.

1-Nick Bosa-Saint Thomas Aquinas-6’4-255 pounds-Bosa has contributed to Saint Thomas Aquinas success on defense for the past three years. Considered not only one of the best defensive ends in Florida, many consider him the top player overall in the state. Bosa plays the game with a ton of passion and his athletic ability can’t be questioned. He has a quick first step and Bosa causes problems for every offense that Saint Thomas goes against. He is a disrupter on the defensive front. He can put pressure on the quarterback or stop the run. There may not be a more complete defensive end in this year’s class. (Comparison: Ryan Kerrigan)

2-Janarius Robinson-Panama Bay-6’5-240-(Committed to Florida State)-Robinson is one of the best athletes not only at defensive end but any position in Florida. Robinson has lined up as a receiver in the past. He is big and can run. We had the chance to watch him do running back drills last summer and came away very impressed. There is not a defensive end in the country with more upside. He is not as polished as Bosa but his upside is greater. He is going to be an elite level pass rusher in college. (Comparison: Javon Kearse)

3-Shavar Manuel-IMG Academy-6’3-265-If you want to argue that Manuel is the top defensive end in Florida there are those who may agree with you. Manuel is another very talented defensive. What you have to like about Manuel is he may be more versatile than Robinson or Bosa in that he can play DE in a 3-4 or move inside and play DT in a 4-3. He is very strong and powerful for a high school lineman. (Comparison: Jason Babin)

4-Brian Burns-American Heritage Plantation-6’5-215-Burns is an end that may be converted to an outside linebacker in college. He is a tall, rangy defensive end that could make an ideal standup outside linebacker at the next level. His ability to put pressure on the quarterback can’t be overlooked. He has great length as well for a defensive lineman. He is a fast twitched lineman who is very explosive off the edge. He has the frame to put on the needed weight to be successful at the next level. (Comparison: Randy Gregory)

5-Joseph Jackson-Gulliver Prep-6’5-240-(Committed to University of Miami)-From an upside point of view there are not many more talented than Jackson. He is one of the more physically impressive looking prospects on the board. He could also star as a tight end this season for Gulliver. He is a very good athlete who has yet to put it all together on the football field. Jackson has the potential to be a star at the next level. (Comparison: Jason Pierre Paul)

6-Patrick Bethel-Vero Beach-6’3-240-Bethel has the pedigree as his father Randy was a star player at the University of Miami. He plays with an intensity that you want to see in a defensive end. He is quick off the ball and finishes plays. What we like is his relentless pursuit on the defensive side of the football. He does not slow down until Bethel makes a play. (Comparison: Shane Ray)

7-Jordan Woods-Trinity Catholic-6’3-235-Woods is one of the best players physically you will see in person. He has the size and length to play the next level. What he needs to show is a motor that is non-stop on every play. The question with Woods is what type of system he would fit into best. (Comparison: Bruce Irvin) 

8-Malik Barrow-IMG Academy-6’2-260-Barrow moves over to IMG where he will be on one of the best defensive lines in Florida if not the country. He is a big, wide body kid who may move inside in college. His strength is stopping the run. He is stout against the run. Barrow is more of a fit as a 3-4 defensive end. (Comparison: Mario Edwards)

9-Jachai Polite-Daytona Mainland-6’4-240: Polite is a prospect that caught our eye last summer. He has good size but the question is where does Polite play in college. He is not quick enough to play on the edge. Can he get big enough to play defensive tackle in college. (Comparison: Demarcus Walker)

10-Jacquan Bailey-Raines-6’3-235-(Committed to University of Florida)-Bailey plays defensive end but it would not surprise us to see him move inside at the next level. To know what type of athlete he is we saw Bailey lined up as a receiver in a 7 on 7 event. He has the speed and quickness to make plays on the offensive side of the football. (Comparison: Geno Atkins)

11-Joshua Uche-Columbus-6’2-215-(Committed to University of Miami)-Uche is one of the players on Columbus defense that really caught our eye. He has the ability to get up the field and put pressure on the quarterback. Can he develop into a JACK at the next level. He is going to end up an OLB/DE in college. He is the ideal fit for a 3-4 defensive scheme. (Comparison: Elvis Dummervil)

12-Keldric Preston-Robinson-6’3-240-Once Keldric gets going he is a very good player. He is not super quick off the ball. He is more of a strong side defensive end. He is a guy that can handle playing the run. He can give you a pass rush but it comes from his hustle more than his straight line speed and quickness off the edge. (Comparison: Charles Johnson)

13-Evan Hinson-Deltona-6’5-220-(Committed to University of Miami)-Hinson plays both tight end and defensive end. He is a good athlete who has yet to develop into a top flight football player. He could be a lineman that puts on the weight and plays inside in college. His versatility makes him one of the more underrated prospects in Florida this year. (Comparison-Chandler Jones)

14-Jaquwan Nelson-Ft Lauderdale-6’5-230-There may not be a more underrated defensive end in this year’s class. For a school that is not known for producing top end football talent, Nelson may be the best to come out of this school in the past ten years. He has size and is a good athlete. (Comparison: Ezekiel Ansah)

15-Anthony Knighton-Ft Pierce Central-6’3-220-Knighton has gotten much bigger since we first saw him two years ago. The question a couple of years ago was Knighton going to get big enough to play defensive end in college. He weighs 220 and may actually be closer to 230 right now. He needs to get a step quicker to be elite levels pass rusher in college. (Comparison: Anthony Spencer)

Don’t Overlook: Jordan Giberti-Gainesville-6’3-225,Eric Mitchell-Miami Central-(Committed to University of Florida), Charles Calendar-Gulliver Prep-6’3-220, Daquan Newkirk-First Academy-6’3-240, Zander Simmer-Bishop Moore-6’4-220, Jamal Smith-American-6’3-235, Nolan Defranco-West Orange-6’6-220, Terrell Lucas-Miramar-6’3-220 and Kwanzi Jackson-Manatee-6’3-210