Mid-Atlantic produces its share of five-star DEs
The final five-stars of the 2017 class have been released and two of them are defensive ends originally from the Mid-Atlantic. Of the 24 five-star DEs since 2013, six have hailed from the Mid-Atlantic. Here is a look at those players.
RELATED: Final 2017 position rankings | Highest rated Mid-Atlantic OTs since 2013 | Highest rated Mid-Atlantic safeties since 2013
Da'Shawn Hand was sensational coming out of high school but it seems nobody, not even the nation's top prospect, is guaranteed anything when it comes to the revolving door of five-stars that is Alabama's defensive line. The Virginia native saw significant playing time this season for the Crimson Tide but is in line to be a full-time starter next year. Hand has been productive when he's been on the field but he has yet to gain a foot hold.
Originally from Baltimore, Josh Kaindoh has developed into a premier defensive end prospect with first round draft pick potential. With two years at IMG Academy under his belt, Kaindoh progressed physically and technically while playing against some of the best competition in the country. Florida State fans can look forward to him rushing the quarterback with former five-stars Josh Sweat and Brian Burns.
Chase Young is an athletic freak with the ability to put his hand in the ground or play in space. He's terrorized offensive tackles on the edge and has the strength to be a force against the run. Young should do very well at Ohio State under the tutelage of Larry Johnson.
Jonathan Allen may not have been the athletic freak some of these other defensive ends were in high school but he was an absolute monster and overpowered everybody he came across. His scheme versatility helped make him an exceptional prospect and it obviously helped him in Tuscaloosa. After back to back outstanding seasons at Alabama, Allen is positioned to be one of the first picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Another athletic freak, Terrell Hall was primarily an edge rusher his junior year but packed on nearly 30-pounds of muscle by the time his senior year came around. Alabama, seeing his great agility and awareness as a high schooler, decided to move him to outside linebacker and take advantage of his overall skill set. Hall played in ten games a freshman for the Crimson Tide and should be in line for more playing time this season.
One of the more controversial prospects in the 2015 class, Josh Sweat was a surefire top five prospect prior to a major knee injury early in his senior season. His insistence that it would not impact his college career helped him keep that coveted fifth star and he was certainly right. Sweat had an outstanding freshman season at Florida State and it definitely carried over to his sophomore season.