Inside the Huddle: 2016 Florida Defensive Tackles
In one of our last segments of Inside the Huddle we went in-depth about defensive ends in Florida. We will move inside to defensive tackles/nose guards. While the defensive end spot this year is loaded with both talent and depth, we can’t say the same about defensive tackles in the Sun-shine state. This year there are some pretty good players but the overall depth at the position is lacking. One of the premier defensive tackles in Florida is Cedric Wood-Tallahassee Godby. He committed early to Florida State University and has become a forgotten man. If he had not committed early Wood would be one of the most sought after recruits in the state of Florida. After Wood there is a bit of a drop off but there are also some hidden gems like Jerrod Hewitt of Venice Sr. High.
1-Cedric Wood-Gobdy-6’3-275-(Committed to Florida State)-Wood is a big, wide body, athletic defensive tackle. He gives you a guy that has some nice quickness off the football. He also can command the double team. Wood is an ideal 4-3 interior lineman. He not only has the athletic ability you like but Wood is also very strong. (Comparison: Malcolm Brown)
2-Keyshon Camp-Lake Gibson-6’3-275-Camp does get off the ball pretty well. He gets into the backfield most of the time before an offensive lineman can get a hand on him. He has good but not great burst off the line. He is more effective against the run. (Comparison: Nile Lawrence)
3-Aarron Thompson-Dillard-6’2-260-Thompson is one of the favorite plays in this year’s class. If he gets a chance, Thompson will try and destroy the ball carrier. He can play DE in a 3-4 or move inside and play DT in a 4-3. We really like his versatility. Thompson has the ability to get pressure on the quarterback. He also is stout against the run. (Comparison: Dominique Easley)
4-Jerrod Hewitt-Venice High School-6’2-290-We had the opportunity to meet with Hewitt recently. When you turn on his film you have to like what you see. He is one of the strongest players in his class. He is very powerful in the lower body and you are not going to move him off the ball. Hewitt is quick off the ball and gets into the backfield. (Comparison: Karl Klug)
5-Bo Peek-Berkeley Prep-6’3-290-(Committed to Stanford) – One thing we look at is production. Peek is a very productive player. The last player that was this productive at Berkeley Prep was Nelson Agholor who had a very good career at USC. He comes off the ball well and uses his hands to get off blocks. He actually has some nice moves off the ball. (Comparison: Mitch Unrein)
6-Chonsey Christian-Lake Wales-6’3-290-When you turn on his film Chonsey will play some defensive end in some certain situations. Other times he moves inside to tackle. He is a guy that is going to get into the backfield with his fight to want to beat the guy opposite him. He has pretty good strength and usually pushes his guy right into the backfield. Chonsey is underrated and should get some looks this spring. He lines up at fullback and will run guys over. (Comparison: Corey Peters)
7-Joshua Bailey-Raines-6’3-265-Bailey is a kid who is versatile and athletic enough to end up on either side of the football. It would not surprise us to see him play guard or center in college. He moves well and Bailey has the body to put on another 30 pounds without much of a problem. When you watch him play on the offensive line you see what he brings from an athletic standpoint. (Comparison: Sen’Derrick Marks)
8-David Nelson-Immokalee-6’2-320-Nelson is just a big, wide body defensive tackle that is going to take up space. He is not going to give you much from a pass rush. What he can do is clog the middle of the line of scrimmage and force the opposition to run outside. (Comparison: Pat Sims)
Don’t Overlook: Justin Andrrew-Kathleen-6’0-255-Josh Keeler-Bishop Moore-6’2-290, Colin Nace-Saint Thomas-6’3-260, Patrick Brooks-Seminole Ridge-6’1-240, William Davis-Ft Pierce Central-6’0-250-(Committed to FAU), Zuriel Davis-Andrew Jackson-6’3-320, Nathaniel Coby-Ridgeview-6’0-305, Decarlo Hamilton-American Heritage Plantation-6’4-320, Tremain Herring-Dillard-6’0-220 and David Hood-Carol City-6’1-245.