South Central Spotlight: 2022 players on cusp of Rivals100

Rivals began to pull back the curtain on the class of 2022 last week as it unveiled the top 100 prospects in the country. Here are more prospects to know out of the South Central region (Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma) from the 2022 class.

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RELATED: More 2022 Midwest prospects to watch | Southeast prospects | East Coast prospects | West Coast prospects

CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

CLASS OF 2022: Top 100

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Malick Sylla debuts as the top-ranked defensive end out of the South Central region and tops in the Lone Star State in what was a tight race with Omari Abor, who will be featured in this list in just a bit.

Sylla is a raw defensive end prospect that flourished as a sophomore for Houston powerhouse Katy last fall due to his natural athleticism and innate ability to bend and power through linemen en route to the quarterback. He’s a true 4-3 defensive end capable of lining up as a 5-tech anywhere to a 9-tech.

Last year, Sylla showcased his natural athleticism with his initial first-step quickness, his explosion off the edge and his flexibility as a pass-rusher. Sylla is noticeably agile, he bends very well and can easily change direction while also maintaining that persistence as a threat off the edge. He also utilizes his hands well and the same goes for his length; Sylla boasts an 85-inch wingspan to try and wrestle down quarterbacks or disrupt passing lanes. That length also comes into play as he chases down ball-carriers as they attempt to escape around the edge.

The top-ranked defensive lineman out of Louisiana in 2022 is none other than Tygee Hill, who has emerged as a top tackle target for schools like Alabama and LSU in recent months.

Hill is the centerpiece of Edna Karr’s state championship defense that just notched a fifth consecutive title last December. Credit the sophomore defensive tackle for playing a critical role of controlling the run game in the championship contest. That’s become a theme for Hill, who can eat up space and take on multiple blockers while also able to make the play. He also surprises with his unwillingness to give up on plays and cover a ton of ground.

The best part of Hill’s game that is not seen on film is his ability to get after the passer as an interior pass-rusher. Hill boasts a devastating spin move and was dominant at LSU's camp last summer and at the Rivals Camp Series stop in New Orleans. That versatility is extremely valuable and will give defensive coordinators more freedom to be creative in the trenches.

Here’s the crazy part: Walker Howard has yet to start a varsity game for St. Thomas More (La.) High School, but the talented 2022 signal-caller will finally do so this fall after sitting behind Louisiana Tech signee Caleb Holstein the past two years.

Despite a lack of game experience, Howard has been a known commodity in The Boot for some time. He’s the son of former LSU quarterback Jamie Howard and has camped in Baton Rouge, Rivals Camp Series in New Orleans and at the All-American Bowl Combine in San Antonio at the start of the year.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder was easily the top-performing quarterback in San Antonio in January. He has exceptional accuracy with a strong arm that consistently hits his targets in stride. Howard is a true field general capable of creating plays with his arm or with his legs if plays break down. He’s been so efficient in an array of different settings, making his varsity debut this fall all-the-more intriguing. Howard will have a chance to climb within the state and national rankings once he produces his first varsity film.

There has not been an in-person evaluation for Kendrick Law to this point, but on tape he is one of the most intriguing athletes in not only the region, but the entire country. The 6-foot, 185-pound sophomore boasts 4.4 speed with a verified 10.65-second 100-meter and 21.75-second 200-meter track times. Law found the end zone a dozen times as a sophomore, playing anything from quarterback, running back, receiver and as a return specialist.

Early on, there are some distinct parallels between Law and another North Louisiana athlete in Devin White, who played both sides of the ball during his high school career. Like White, Law is a home-run threat who is devastatingly dangerous if he finds the open field. He’s not only fast, but a tough, physical runner with excellent vision and some twitch.

Law is a do-it-all athlete for Captain Shreve, where he catches a ton of short passes out of the backfield to create plays in space. He also gets plenty of carries, showcasing his physical running style. Law has the potential to be a dominant running back — or he could continue to add size and transition to another position. However, his track times and home-run potential were enough to rank him among the best in the country early on for 2022.

Donovan Green debuts as the top tight end in the South Central region for the 2022 class. The two-sport standout is not only one of — if not the — best pass-catching tight ends in the country, but he’s also a stud on the hardwood.

At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Green is essentially a wide receiver that makes a living playing as a flexed out tight end. He does take snaps as an in-line tight end, but his forte is in the passing game.

Green runs the field very well and can stretch the field vertically. He gives offenses a big-play threat over the middle of the field and down the seams. As a freshman, he clocked an 11.79-second 100-meter time and plays even faster on tape. He has reliable hands that show when absorbing contact or battling for contested balls in the red zone.

It should also be noted that Green may have a reputation as a pass-catching tight end, but he’s a devoted blocker that’s above-average in that department as it stands now. As he packs more muscle onto his frame, Green could become even better in that regard. Overall, his potential as a tight end prospect is through the roof.

Bryan Allen debuts as the top safety in Texas and the entire South Central region. The Aledo product recently committed to LSU over Texas, Oklahoma and USC, among others. Allen is a true center fielder at safety with the ability to cover a ton of ground. He has the versatility to cover one-on-one and has big-play potential when he can play over the top of receivers. Allen is a well-rounded safety prospect that doesn’t shy away from physical play either. He managed 80 solo tackles as a sophomore to go along with three picks and three fumbles forced.

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Kelvin Banks has been a top-performing offensive lineman back-to-back years at Rivals Camp Series in Houston. The early Oklahoma State commitment has impressive tape, too, displaying how agile he is despite a 6-foot-5, 285-pound frame. Banks is stout in pass pro and impressed with his ability to dominate at the point of attack. He’s one of the most surefire offensive tackle prospects in this class.

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Tre’Vonte Citizen is one of the best-kept secrets in Cajun Country. The powerful running back boasts an 11.31-second 100-meter time and clocked a 4.6-second 40 at Mississippi State last summer. Citizen has a blistering running style in which he’s a freight train clearing his own path. He’s a hard runner with some explosiveness to break one open and has enough lower-body power to convert at the goal line or short down-and-distances. At RCS New Orleans, Citizen showed off his abilities as a receiver, too. Maryland, Penn State and Mississippi State are among his early contenders.

Julian Humphrey had a breakout year in the Clear Lake secondary last fall and brings a ton of position versatility to the table. Humphrey is a true 6-foot-1, 180-pound corner that can slide inside to nickel or play safety over the top. He boasts top-end speed (4.4-second 40 time) which is rather evident in his game. His short-area quickness is equally as impressive. More so, Humphrey does not shy away from being a physical run defender that will punish ball-carriers and receivers. TCU, Baylor and LSU have shown strong interest thus far.

Omari Abor opened his varsity season as a sleeper on a talent-laden Duncanville squad, but 2019 was a breakout year for the 2022 edge-rusher that could be a hand-in-the-dirt pass-rusher or settle as a stand-up outside linebacker. Make no mistake about it: Abor is a bit raw, but the rare combination of speed and power lends itself to plenty of splash plays in a season. He can crash down inside the pocket, chase down a quarterback off the edge or seal the edge in the run game.

Technique is an area of his game that can certainly be rounded out in the offseason, but his natural playmaking abilities are too intriguing as teams look for a young, talented edge-rusher that managed five sacks and 18 tackles for loss as a sophomore. Alabama, Texas, TCU, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and LSU are some early offers.