The initial Rivals250 for the 2024 class is out this week and today we take a look across the defensive positions. In focus here are the defensive linemen as we break down the top-rated player at the position, two teams to watch and three other names to watch as the offseason continues.
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Strongside DE | Weakside DE | Defensive tackle | Offensive tackle | Offensive guard | Center | Tight end | Wide receiver | All-Purpose RB | Running Back | Pro-Style QB | Dual-Threat QB
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Weekend: Who should be the No. 1 prospect in the 2024 class? | Top QB?
Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Meet the new five-stars
Tuesday: New Rivals250 released | Gorney goes position-by-position
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | QB rankings spotlight | Who is the next five-star QB? | RB rankings spotlight | Who is the biggest threat to take over top position at RB? | WR/TE rankings spotlight | OL rankings spotlight
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings released
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1. Top prospect at defensive line: Colin Simmons
Simmons is a special defensive end with a relentless motor and elite athleticism. He has very active hands and can win with inside or outside moves but his overall speed and quickness are more than enough most of the time. At No. 1 in the Rivals250, Simmons leads a strong defensive end class. He has the skillset to be able to stand up and play in space but he is much more comfortable with his hand in the ground.
It's still early in Simmons' recruitment but Arkansas looks like a serious contender for him. The coaching staff has developed a strong relationship with him and his good friend and former teammate Jordan Crook just signed with the Razorbacks. Baylor and Oklahoma State have done a good job making an early impression on Simmons but look for Texas and Texas A&M to become more heavily involved down the road.
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2. Programs to watch: Oklahoma and Georgia
It's still early in the recruiting cycle for the 2024 class but Oklahoma and Georgia are two teams that could sign outstanding defensive line hauls. The Sooners are making very good progress recruiting David Stone. A top-10 recruit and Oklahoma native now playing at IMG Academy, Stone has visited the Norman campus many times and is building a strong relationship with the new staff. Nigel Smith is a top-50 prospect out of Texas and he has taken a liking to the coaching staff as well. Alex Cunningham, a top 10 defensive end out of Georgia, is also very close with the Oklahoma coaches. He'll be one to watch for the Sooners down the road.
Cunningham is a very serious Georgia target as well. The in-state defensive end is very familiar with the Georgia program and is close with many members of their 2022 class. The same can be said of Eddrick Houston. He is also an in-state prospect that thinks highly of the Georgia program and what the Bulldogs have done on the defensive line. No. 2 defensive tackle Hevin Brown-Shuler is also an in-state target for Kirby Smart and his staff. Look for Georgia to press its advantage with all three of these targets.
On top of those three, the Bulldogs are in good position with top-20 prospect Kavion Henderson. The defensive end out of Alabama seems to be developing strong relationships with the Georgia staff.
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3. Three prospects to watch: Zina Umeozulu, David Stone, Nigel Smith
Umeozulu's recruitment will be fun to watch. His older brother, Neto, just signed with Texas in the 2022 class and Zina's cousin is 2023 Rivals250 defensive end Desmond Umeozulu. Texas figures to be a major part of Umeozulu's recruitment but he wants to see what else is out there. Look out for Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Alabama and Georgia.
Stone is one of the big names in this class and his recruitment should end up having some twists and turns. The native Oklahoman will take his visits to see what his major contenders are like but the Sooners are in a good spot here. Alabama, Texas A&M, Michigan and a few others will likely end up getting Stone on campus this spring or summer.
Smith's recruitment has been underway for a little while but he will start taking a much closer look at his top contenders this offseason. Ohio State, Texas, Notre Dame and a couple others are in a good spot so far. Look for more teams to turn up the heat on Smith once they are able to get an up-close look at him.
