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The cliché is that South Florida doesn’t produce DTs. The truth is that great DTs are hard to find anywhere and are scattered all across the country. The top six DTs picked in the 2018 draft were from California, Alabama, Wyoming, Mississippi, North Carolina and Canada. Of the top 12 DTs, only one state had multiple selections (Florida, with 3).
But in the past two years, several legitimate programs have been shopping for DTs in South Florida. These include Miami (Nesta Silvera, Jon Ford), USC (Jacob Lichtenstein), Florida (Tedarrell Slaton), Tennessee (Kivon Bennett), TCU (George Ellis), Louisville (Jarrett Jackson, Dejmi Dumervil-Jean), Kentucky (Chris Whittaker) and NC State (Davontae McCrae). Lamonte McDougle, now at Washington State, was named a Freshman All-American.
This is one of the deepest years I can remember both in the Tri-County and in Southwest Florida (Quashon Fuller, Jaquaze Sorrells and Derrick Hunter). Expect a bunch of these guys to sign with Power Five schools. With youth football removing weight restrictions, look for more talented big guys to emerge from the South Florida area.
* means verified testing results
Braylen Ingraham- 6’4, 270, 4.88 * (sophomore testing) (St. Thomas Aquinas)- Freak of nature with rare speed at defensive tackle. After transferring from Dillard, Ingraham is beginning to flourish under the coaching of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. I thought he was the most impressive prospect on the field against DeMatha. Plays inside and outside but projects as a three-technique.
Michael Morris, Jr.- 6’6, 258* (AMH Delray)- Huge-framed, athletic prospect who reminds me of RJ McIntosh. More finesse than physical. For a naturally big player, he has a great ability to get skinny and penetrate. Good production. Also has a ton of upside as a potential OT. FSU legacy committed to Michigan.
Denzel Daxon- 6’2, 315* (Carol City)- Raw, Bahamian-born nose tackle with natural strength. Has already bounced between Norland, Doral and now Carol City. More of a space-eater than disruptor. Did not move well enough for Miami DL coach Jess Simpson, but can play a role with powerful hands and tree-trunk legs. Louisville commit.
Denzel Daxon Junior HL
Jason Munoz- 6’4, 276* (St. Thomas)- Lean, technical three-technique who reminds me of Matt Walters. Had a breakout off-season after missing time earlier in his career. Uses his hands very well. Will need to add strength and mass. Injury has derailed what should have been a breakout season for him as a senior. Miami commit.
Spring HL
Brandon Dorlus- 6’3, 270 (Deerfield Beach)- One of my favorite under-the-radar guys. Gets off the line quick with a nice swim move. Good athlete who played basketball at small-school Calvary before transferring to Deerfield Beach. Body has room to grow. Like the upside. Virginia Tech commit.
Brandon Dorlus HL
Renato Brown- 6’3, 310 (Palm Beach Central)- Nose tackle/guard prospect who may project best on offense. Had a great sophomore year and a so-so junior year. Good natural tools with wide-body and decent movement skills. Well-put together for a bigger guy. Claims offers from Florida, Louisville and Penn State.
Renato Brown HL
Calijah Kancey- 6’1, 264, 5.06* Northwestern)- Freakishly quick tackle prospect who reminds me of Kier Thomas (South Carolina via Miami Central). Light on his feet with the change-of-direction and tackling skills of a linebacker. Also plays some fullback and has legit next level ability at that spot. Only knock is size. Pittsburgh commit.
Calijah Kancey HL
Malcom Ray- 6’2, 245 (Carol City)- Slender, active DT who can get off blocks and make plays. Room to fill out. Very mobile with the ability to bend and tackle. Uses hands well and locates the football. Has impressed early as a senior on a loaded Carol City front. Plays mostly outside but projects inside in college. Committed to USF.
Malcolm Ray HL
Jeramy Passmore- 6’1, 240* (Columbus)- Flexible, productive player who has been making waves since he was a young player. Has played DE but projects as three-technique. Excellent awareness, leverage and first step. Terrorized the Northwestern offensive line a couple weeks ago. Undersized but possesses natural pass rush skills. Committed to Indiana.
Jeramy Passmore HL
Janil Brown- 6’3, 300 (Palm Beach Central)- Enormous DT with height and mass. Transferred from Dwyer. Flashes disruptive ability. Will need to improve mobility at college level. Not as good or athletic, but some similarities to Jordan Miller. Akron commit who might be a little underrated.
Janil Brown HL
Ta’Quan Kinsler- 6’1, 265 (Pahokee)- Athletic DT with pass rush ability. Can change directions quickly and has even played some fullback. Size and power would be the concerns but he can make plays.
Ta'Quan Kinsler HL
But in the past two years, several legitimate programs have been shopping for DTs in South Florida. These include Miami (Nesta Silvera, Jon Ford), USC (Jacob Lichtenstein), Florida (Tedarrell Slaton), Tennessee (Kivon Bennett), TCU (George Ellis), Louisville (Jarrett Jackson, Dejmi Dumervil-Jean), Kentucky (Chris Whittaker) and NC State (Davontae McCrae). Lamonte McDougle, now at Washington State, was named a Freshman All-American.
This is one of the deepest years I can remember both in the Tri-County and in Southwest Florida (Quashon Fuller, Jaquaze Sorrells and Derrick Hunter). Expect a bunch of these guys to sign with Power Five schools. With youth football removing weight restrictions, look for more talented big guys to emerge from the South Florida area.
* means verified testing results
Braylen Ingraham- 6’4, 270, 4.88 * (sophomore testing) (St. Thomas Aquinas)- Freak of nature with rare speed at defensive tackle. After transferring from Dillard, Ingraham is beginning to flourish under the coaching of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. I thought he was the most impressive prospect on the field against DeMatha. Plays inside and outside but projects as a three-technique.
Michael Morris, Jr.- 6’6, 258* (AMH Delray)- Huge-framed, athletic prospect who reminds me of RJ McIntosh. More finesse than physical. For a naturally big player, he has a great ability to get skinny and penetrate. Good production. Also has a ton of upside as a potential OT. FSU legacy committed to Michigan.
Denzel Daxon- 6’2, 315* (Carol City)- Raw, Bahamian-born nose tackle with natural strength. Has already bounced between Norland, Doral and now Carol City. More of a space-eater than disruptor. Did not move well enough for Miami DL coach Jess Simpson, but can play a role with powerful hands and tree-trunk legs. Louisville commit.
Denzel Daxon Junior HL
Jason Munoz- 6’4, 276* (St. Thomas)- Lean, technical three-technique who reminds me of Matt Walters. Had a breakout off-season after missing time earlier in his career. Uses his hands very well. Will need to add strength and mass. Injury has derailed what should have been a breakout season for him as a senior. Miami commit.
Spring HL
Brandon Dorlus- 6’3, 270 (Deerfield Beach)- One of my favorite under-the-radar guys. Gets off the line quick with a nice swim move. Good athlete who played basketball at small-school Calvary before transferring to Deerfield Beach. Body has room to grow. Like the upside. Virginia Tech commit.
Brandon Dorlus HL
Renato Brown- 6’3, 310 (Palm Beach Central)- Nose tackle/guard prospect who may project best on offense. Had a great sophomore year and a so-so junior year. Good natural tools with wide-body and decent movement skills. Well-put together for a bigger guy. Claims offers from Florida, Louisville and Penn State.
Renato Brown HL
Calijah Kancey- 6’1, 264, 5.06* Northwestern)- Freakishly quick tackle prospect who reminds me of Kier Thomas (South Carolina via Miami Central). Light on his feet with the change-of-direction and tackling skills of a linebacker. Also plays some fullback and has legit next level ability at that spot. Only knock is size. Pittsburgh commit.
Calijah Kancey HL
Malcom Ray- 6’2, 245 (Carol City)- Slender, active DT who can get off blocks and make plays. Room to fill out. Very mobile with the ability to bend and tackle. Uses hands well and locates the football. Has impressed early as a senior on a loaded Carol City front. Plays mostly outside but projects inside in college. Committed to USF.
Malcolm Ray HL
Jeramy Passmore- 6’1, 240* (Columbus)- Flexible, productive player who has been making waves since he was a young player. Has played DE but projects as three-technique. Excellent awareness, leverage and first step. Terrorized the Northwestern offensive line a couple weeks ago. Undersized but possesses natural pass rush skills. Committed to Indiana.
Jeramy Passmore HL
Janil Brown- 6’3, 300 (Palm Beach Central)- Enormous DT with height and mass. Transferred from Dwyer. Flashes disruptive ability. Will need to improve mobility at college level. Not as good or athletic, but some similarities to Jordan Miller. Akron commit who might be a little underrated.
Janil Brown HL
Ta’Quan Kinsler- 6’1, 265 (Pahokee)- Athletic DT with pass rush ability. Can change directions quickly and has even played some fullback. Size and power would be the concerns but he can make plays.
Ta'Quan Kinsler HL
