One of top defensive ends in the country Aaron Lynch!
1) Aaron Lynch-Island Coast-6′6/260- As a sophomore Lynch was 6′2 and 210 pounds. Less then two years later he has grown into a 6′6, 260 pound beast. Lynch gives you both great size and athletic ability off the edge. He used to play tight end so that should tell you something about his athletic ability. Against the run, Lynch is tough to move off the ball. He can rush the passer but that is not the strength of his game. Lynch could eventually grow into a 290-300 pound left tackle. Whether it is on offense or defense Lynch is an elite prospect.
2) Curt Maggitt-Dwyer-6′4/215- Last season against Glades Central Maggitt had three sacks on the first drive. He is one of the most explosive defensive ends you will see off the edge. He is very disruptive as a pass rusher. The one question with Maggitt is will he gain weight and continue to play defensive end in college or move back into a linebacker position and play there. He could end up a great 3-4 rush end if that is the type of defensive scheme Maggitt ends up in.
3)Bryant Dubose-Northeast-6′4/230-ESS has been watching Dubose for the past two years. He is a big guy that can run. On one play last year he drops back into coverage and picked it off. He has the ability to be one of the best defensive ends to have come out of Florida. Dubose has the physical talent to be great, now it is up to him. He is just as effective against the run as Dubose is rushing the passer. The biggest issue with Dubose is consistency. There is a possibility that Dubose may have to go to prep school or junior college.
4) DJ Pettway-Pensacola Catholic-6′3/250-(Committed to Alabama)- Even though Pettway is listed as a defensive end there is a good possibility that he ends up at tackle. Pettway gets off the ball well. He knows how to get into the oppositions backfield. His ability to get up the field and be disruptive is the first thing you notice on film. What we like about Pettway is he plays physical.
5) Giorgio Newberry-Ft Pierce Central-6′6/255- Newberry is a prospect that is based all on upside. He is not a fast twitch type defensive end. He will make plays because Newberry just over powers the guy opposite him. He does not have the great first step that makes some defensive ends elite. He is more effective stopping the run then getting after the quarterback. Like with Lynch there is always the possibility of Newberry ending up as an offensive tackle.
6)Ricardo Williams-Homestead-6′4/215-Williams is one of the better pass rushers in this years class. His style of play is similar to Curt Maggitt of Dwyer. The difference is Williams has the frame to add the weight to play defensive end in college. He has a very quick first step off the ball and that makes life very difficult for offensive tackles in high school. He can also get into the backfield in a hurry and make plays against the run. Williams is athletic enough to also drop into coverage.
7)Anthony Rabassa-Columbus-6′3/220-Rabassa is a prospect that in most years is rated higher. This just happens to be a very solid year for defensive ends in Florida. As a sophomore, Rabassa dominated many games. Last year he was not as productive but the physical skills are there. He is another defensive end that could also end up as an OLB in college. Rabassa has the frame to get up to 240-250 in college. He is athletic enough to play in space. What we like is Rabassa plays with a non-stop motor. He does not give up on plays.
#8 Anthony Chickillo-Alonso-6′3/225-Chickillo has been on the scene for two years now. He is a prospect that plays very well at the high school level. He does not have the elite physical skills that some of the other defensive ends have. He is not real quick off the line. He makes plays by out working the guy opposite him. He can be very productive in college.
9) Deon Green-Olympia-6′3/270-Green is a prospect that caught our eye the first time we watched film of him. On one play Green gets knocked down, gets back up, forces a fumble then recovers it. If you showed just that play to many college coaches they would probably offer him. He is a hustle player who also has the physical talents to be very good. We expect Green to move inside and become a defensive tackle. In some schemes he could be a very productive strong side defensive end.
10) Deion Green-Edgewater-6′3/220-Same name different schools. Deion plays both defensive end and tight end in high school. On one play you will see him rushing the passer and getting a sack. On another play you will see Green streaking down the sideline pulling away from defenders. He can play on either side of the football in college and make an impact. If there is a prospect that in 2-3 years could end up one of the best in this class it is Green. He is a very good athlete.
11)Clay Burton-Venice-6′3/230-(Committed to Notre Dame)-Burton was a kid we first saw two years ago at the USF 7-on-7. He plays on both sides of the football (TE/DE). He is quite impressive physically. Burton game just has not caught up to his physical talents yet. He is a great kid who will work hard and become a very solid player in college. He has the size, speed and quickness you want to see in a defensive end. He is the type of player who has yet to reach his potential. Once in a college weight program, Burton could end up a very good football player.
12) Giovanni Francois-Manatee-6′2/220-Since his sophomore season, Francois has produced at a very high level. He is very disruptive off the edge and can cause opposing offenses fits. His biggest issue is Francois is slightly above 6′1. He is not real tall and does not have the frame to get much bigger then 250 in college. Some coaches will wonder if Francois will be maxed out physically. You can’t overlook the fact that Francois produces at a very high level.
13)Tevin Westbrook-Unknown-6′5/260-Westbrook played his junior season at Pinecrest. The question with him is not about his physical talent. Schools want to see him play at a high level and perform the same way as he did at Pinecrest. Westbrook is very impressive looking physically. He still has a long ways to go before becoming a great football player. The good thing is that Westbrook is not a polished football player. You look at him and wonder what Westbrook will be like in two years. He could end up staring on either offense or defense in college.
14-Gods Power Offor-American-6′3/215- Gods Power is a prospect that intrigues us. In the game we went to, Offor made plays behind the line of scrimmage. He is not real big right now but his frame tells us that Offor will get much bigger in college. He has wide shoulders and long arms. He is a prospect that is raw but the physical talents are there for him to become a very good player in college. He also carries over a 3.5 GPA and that should entice some of the top academic programs in the country. His potential is what caught our eye.
Others to keep an eye on: Wonderful Monds-Westwood, Max Chapman-Nease (Committed to Northwestern), Matt Roth-Nease (Committed to Virginia Tech), Deiontrez Mount-Ft Walton Beach-(Committed to Louisville), Gary Myrick-Hudson, Trevarris Saulsberry-Gainesville, Ryan Bryson-Menendez, Chris Terry-First Coast, Joe Henry-Everglades, Claivon Smith-South Broward and Timothens Granger-Suncoast.
