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It should come as no surprise that there are plenty of elite defensive tackle prospects heading to Southeastern Conference programs during the 2016 cycle.
Here are the top five who are currently committed — but this list is sure to look different by the end of this recruiting cycle when all prospects are signed.
1. Julian Rochester, Georgia
Rochester, from McEachern High in Powder Springs, Ga., is a 6-foot-5.5, 315-pounder with plus athleticism whose best days of football are ahead of him. On film, you see enough signs of elite upside from Rochester to project him as one of the very best defensive tackle prospects in the country. He’s a huge piece of the puzzle for Georgia as the Bulldogs continue to try to get the interior of their defensive line back to elite status.
2. Edwin Alexander, LSU
Alexander, from St. Thomas Aquinas in Hammond, La., is one of several high-end defensive tackle prospects in the state of Louisiana this recruiting cycle. The 6-foot-2, 310-pounder, who is ranked as the No. 6 defensive tackle prospect nationally per 247Sports Composite rankings, has excellent strength and athleticism and plays with great leverage and closing ability. The Tigers are in the process of building their defensive line back to elite status and Alexander is a big piece of the puzzle.
3. Antwuan Jackson, Auburn
Jackson probably has more polish and more of an ability to contribute early because of advanced technique than either of the two defensive tackles listed ahead of him. After committing to the Tigers last week, Jackson, from Cedar Grove High in Ellenwood, Ga., will report to AU for the spring semester/spring practice. He has the chance to contribute right away and could realistically compete for a load of snaps as a true freshman.
4. Kendell Jones, Alabama
The “zero” technique/nose tackle spot in Alabama’s defensive scheme is tailor made for a prospect with the size and ability of the 6-foot-5, 375-pound Jones. The nation’s No. 10 defensive tackle prospect according to 247Sports Composite rankings certainly is raw and will need development, but once he gets there, look out.
5. Bentio Jones, Ole Miss
There are always a slew of quality interior defensive linemen in the state of Mississippi and Jones, from Wayne County, fits the bill this year. At 6-foot-2 Jones has bulked up to 305 pounds, which could help him become a prospect that dominates on the interior. People often ask what the one key area is on the Ole Miss roster that Hugh Freeze and his staff (including defensive line coach Chris Kiffin) have upgraded the most- by far it’s the defensive line and Jones is just one of the next pieces.
Recruiting writer for Saturday Down South
