A Step Ahead: Jim Stefani's Underclassmen Football Recruiting Blog

Class of 2008: Some Elite Defensive Linemen (Part III)

DeAngelo Tyson DL 6'2 276 5.10 Statesboro Georgia

Tyson is one of the top defensive line prospects in the South and overall prospects in Georgia……He was a sophomore starter fopr a state championship team that has sent several players on to D-I ball in recent years (Class of 2007 stars John Knox and Justin Houston signed with Georgia)…….He is a prototypical DT/NG prospect, possessing great strength, a quick first step and an understanding of playing with leverage……Sophomore combine figures include a 5.1 forty, 4.88 shuttle, 22 bench reps and 27-inch vertical…..Impressive at the 2006 Athens Nike camp……By the end of 2006 he had offers from the likes of Auburn Georgia, Tennessee, Georgia Tech and South Carolina.


Tony Gillespie DL/RB/TE 6'2 295 4.90 Jenks Oklahoma

Gillespie is one of the top overall prospects in Oklahoma and among the nation’s best DL prospects…….Gillespie plays for arguably the most powerful program in Oklahoma in recent history……As a junior he was named First Team All-State by the Daily Oklahoman from his DT spot after registering 83 tackles, 8 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries…….Was already dominant as a sophomore…...Very strong (benches 365 pounds)…..Also played fullback as a sophomore…….Very quick for his size, running a sub-5.0 forty…….Some have compared his physique and style of play to Warren Sapp……By late in his sophomore year he was being heavily recruited by numerous Big Twelve schools.


Wes Horton DL/TE 6'6 230 4.80 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame California

One of the top defensive linemen in the nation and among the best prospects in California…….Horton plays for a talent-laden Notre Dame squad and is already drawing comparisons to former Notre Dame and Florida State standout Travis Johnson as a DE prospect………..Named First Team All-Area by the Los Angeles Daily News as a junior after tallying 13 sacks…….Has a great frame with a lot of room to fill out…..Tremendous pass rusher who will need to get stronger to become more effective against the run……Older brother Shane (RB/DB) is a heavily recruited Class of 2007 prospect at Notre Dame and his father, Myke, played at UCLA……Has a high ceiling and his best football is ahead of him.


Cornelius Washington DL/LB 6'4 220 4.51 Waynesboro Burke County Georgia Georgia

Washington is an athletic DE/OLB with the quickness to play standing up and the toughness and size to play down…….3.0 GPA………Missed much of his junior season after breaking two bones in his left forearm in the preseason. He was projected to start at OLB and TE…….Exceptionally fast for a lineman. The 220-pounder ran the 100 meter-dash in 10.72 seconds to win the Region 3-AAA championship as a sophomore……..Should really be a terror once he fills out……He committed to Georgia in July of 2006 after putting on an impressive display at the Georgia summer camp (ran a 4.51 forty).


Myles Walker DL/OL 6'8 242 4.90 San Antonio Antonian Prep Texas

Walker is a tall and rangy DE prospect who plays for a small TAPPS school in Texas but who has already made a name for himself with local colleges as being among the top linemen in the state…………First Team San Antonio Express All-Sub 5A Area as a junior after earning Second Team honors his sophomore year….. As a junior he tallied 61 tackles, 1 sack, 3 TFL, and 2 fumble recoveries………..Looked very good competing at the 2007 U.S. Army Combine in his hometown, earning Second Team All-Combine honors………Is very quick off the edge, with his great frame is an imposing presence and has a great work ethic…….Once he fills out he could be really special……Very high ceiling…….As of early January he had offers from Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Rice.

posted by Jim Stefani @ 11:54 AM