2024 Top 10 East Texas Preseason Defensive Linemen

The defensive line in East Texas has been full of big, aggressive athletes that can get off the rock. These 10 guys are all real players and I expect heavy production from all 10 of these players right away.

10. Sr. Jackson Phillips - Kilgore

Phillips is a big, strong defender in the middle of that DL for Kilgore. Kilgore's inside 2 were hell on offensive lines, and guess what, they're both back. Phillips scraps with the best of them on the inside, and was a productive player for Kilgore in 2023. Kilgore does an incredible job on their DL throughout the years and Phillips is another one of those productive Bulldogs.

9. Sr. Kiyun Pellum - Henderson

Pellum has that special athleticism that HS tackles hate lining up in front of. He's strong enough to displace a base block, and too athletic to reach, and will run you down if you try to run away from him. He's a splash play guy that will "break the rules" from time to time. While his coaches may not enjoy it, he does make quite a few plays that way, and with that athleticism I expect him to make even more in 2024.

8. Sr. Rakadrian Minter - Hooks

At 6'3 220, Minter brings length and speed to the defensive end position, a nightmare for a HS offensive tackle. Minter has an explosive first step, and with his long arms he has a bevy of moves he can get to. The most impressive thing about Minter in 2023 was his effort. He's relentless in pursuing the ball. With added strength, Minter could very well see his self on the Top 100 list in 2024.

7. Jr. Cameron Christian - Kilgore

Last season, I got the opportunity to watch the battle of the Bulldogs in the playoffs last season, and Christian jumped out to me. While Chapel Hill did have success running it early, Christian started to dominate on the inside, and in the second half things slowed down tremendously. Christian is tough against the run, but can rush the passer as well. I'm expecting a huge jump between his sophomore and junior year, and I expect CC to make the list in 2024.

6. Sr. Kaiden Rodgers - Marshall

You better not have slow feet trying to block Kaiden Rodgers. 11 is one of those receivers turned defensive ends, and trust me you don't want to stutter and hesitate with this one. Rodgers plays with a relentless attitude, can handle a base block, and for dang sure set the edge. He's super athletic, but he's got that dog mentality, and I expect him to show a stronger, even more physical version of his self in 2024. 

5. Sr. Colt Hodges - Carthage

A 2 way starter that plays with incredible effort on both sides of the ball. Hodges was DL of the year in his district and also a 2nd Team all-district as a RT. Hodges is slippery off of blocks. He knows how to get off blocks and he is extremely productive. Hodges is going to get you to the ground. He had 79 tackles, 18 for loss and 7 sacks in 2023, and I am ready to see what type of finale he puts on for 2024. 

4. Sr. Zion Williams - Lufkin

Zion Williams graded out as a 90 last season, and with his size, it's easy to see why schools are hovering around Lufkin, Texas. Zion is a big man. 6'3 290 pounds, and when his motor's on he can't be blocked. He made great improvement between his sophomore and junior seasons, and with another year of substantial growth, Zion will be a top 40 players in East Texas in 2024.

3. Sr. Bari Rochelle Jr. - Pleasant Grove

BJ Rochelle moved into PG midseason, and with his athleticism, he's scary. This mammoth of a man and is the most explosive off of first step, and the poor guys in his district have an incredibly tough time once he gets to going. Rochelle's challenge is to come up big later in the season, and not just flash against the sorrier teams he'll face this season. I want to see Rochelle make plays against Carthage. If he does, his placement only jump tremendously. 

2. Sr. Lance Jackson - Pleasant Grove

Longhorn commit Lance Jackson flaunts incredible size and pedigree as well as athleticism. At 6'7, 225 Jackson can extend his arms and ensure an offensive lineman can't block him. He's the brother of All-SEC and former 5 star prospect Landon Jackson, and he's a 2 way star at PG. Jackson has great speed in the open field, and that same speed helps him track runners down in the backfield. He's bound to have a great 2024, and land in the top 30 of the Top 100. 

1. Jr. Kaleb Walker - Lindale

Explosion. Explosion. Explosion. Walker is a monster at defensive tackle, and has and incredible first step and punch. He can destroy opponents, whether it be offensive linemen or whether it be a ball carrier. Walker splashed like no other in his sophomore year, putting up a monster stat line: 45 tackles and 9 sacks. Lindale usually sports the best OL in ETX, and correspondingly they typically have tough ass DL year after year as well. Walker is the lastest.