Tour of Talent: South Florida's Top 10 Defensive Lineman (Class of 2020)
By Jerry Williamson
For the older generation of high school coaches that feel the younger guys should wait their turn, well the class-of-2020 defensive linemen has something to say about that. Did you know? Jalen Reeves (Broward), Jesus Machado (Miami-Dade), and Latarie Kinsler, Jr. (Palm Beach), were all the pinnacle of their prospective counties and classifications in quarterback sacks.
The sack master has combined for approximately (86) career sacks and along with a long list of accomplishments, ranging from Player of the Year, first team all-county, and all-state honors.
The American sport known as football is won within the trenches and defensivetackles Henry Bryant III, Bobby Washington, and Westley Neal, Jr. can all slip through gaps and get pressure. This group is strong enough to win as a head-over nose tackle and physically gifted enough to line up at defensive end in special packages.
PHYSICAL SPECIMEN Christopher Columbus eye-catching defensive end Elijah Roberts, a 6-foot-4, 240 pound transfer from Coral Park, has the game and attributes to become a four-star and possibly 5-star recruit, all said and done. Roberts has jumped on the radar this off-season picking up offers from Miami (FL), UNC, Syracuse, Tennessee. KEEP AN EYE ON Miami Booker T. Washington defensive end Wati Huggins (6'3", 210) has quiently found himself in opposing teams backfield over the past two seasons. Huggins recorded six sacks the past season and 43 tackles. South Florida's Top 10 Defensive Lineman in No Particular Order Jesus Machado, Miami Central
The 6-foot-1, 205 pound transfer from Champagnat Catholic has started varsity since the 8th grade. He is responsible for over (40) career sacks and was recently named 5A-Ind. Defensive Player of the Year. Machado holds notable offers from the likes of Alabama, FSU, UGA.
Photo credited: Footballville
Jalen Reeves, University School
Perhaps the most versatile lineman on film. Reeves made both sacks and pressures at 0, 2, 3, 4, and 5 techniques. Reeves earned first team all-county and led Broward County in quarteback sacks. Reeves has added 25 pounds of muscle, now standing 6-foot-1, 230 pounds. Latarie Kinsler, Jr., Pahokee
The Louisville commit, has delivered two amazing seasons with over (40) career quarteback sacks and collecting hardware as the defensive player of the year for the 1A classification. He stands 6-foot-4, 210 pounds along with (9) D1-FBS scholarships via 247sports Westley Neal, Jr., Gulliver Prep
Neal, Jr., a 5-foot-11, 311 pounder, has a serious combination of size, length, strength, and quickness at the point of attack. The young man who holds notable offers from FSU, Louisville, and Michigan is a heavy nose tackle who is a rock against the run and can occasionally collapse the pocket in the pass rush. Henry Bryant III, Atlantic Community
The 5-foot-11, 270 pounder holds ten D1-FBS offers and has a freakish athletisim for someone his size. Offensively, he carries and catches the ball out of the backfield. He can flat out run and bench press over 415 pounds. Bryant III has over ten career sacks and multiple offensive scores. Samuel Anaele, Doral Academy
The transfer from Miami Norland is ranked as the 8th best strong side defensive end in the country via 247sports. Anaele physically speaking, is ready for college football right now. Expect double-digit sacks this upcoming fall from this physical specimen standing at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds of pure muscle. Elijah Roberts, Christopher Columbus
The transfer from Coral Park has the highest upside on the list. His best game is a head of him. Which speaks volumes when the hometown canes, extended a scholarship. He has the speed, size, and athleticism to play for any school at the next level. Wati Huggins, Booker T. Washington
I feel the training wheels should be off this upcoming season with his game. Huggins on a youthful Tornadoes' team this past fall, still managed to record six quarteback sacks against top-notch competition. His frame reminds you an hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end.
Jamari Maybin, ST. Thomas Aquinas
It's a challenging task to play as an underclassmen at St. Thomas Aquinas, but Maybin is just that good of a player. On film, he causes havoc within the trenches and displayed sneaky quickness along with strength out of his stance. Maybin holds multiple scholarships.
Bobby Washington, St. Thomas Aquinas
I'm going to test your knowledge and say Washington reminds me of Dan Klecko, a former New England Patriots defensive tackle, with sneaky athleticism for his size. Expect big numbers from Washington this upcoming fall. He also holds multiple scholarships.
