Last week, Rivals national analysts Mike Farrell and Adam Gorney broke down the top pro prospects on offense in college football regardless of class. This week, they look at the other side of the ball. Today, they look at defensive ends.
MORE: Top 5 QB prospects | RB prospects | WR prospects | TE prospects | DT prospects
1. Chase Young
Recruiting: Young had a lengthy list of favorites through the summer before his senior season but many felt it was Ohio State, Alabama and Maryland competing for his services. In July, Young committed to the Buckeyes.
Performance: Young has been the best defensive player in college football this season with 29 tackles (15.5 for loss) including 13.5 sacks. The former five-star has also forced five fumbles. Young is currently sidelined for accepting a loan to reportedly fly his girlfriend to the Rose Bowl last season.
Comparison: Jordan Burch
Farrell’s take: Young is obviously a special player and most consider him the top player in college football and a potential No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. And Burch has that potential as well, that's how high his ceiling is. Both have length, a great motor and the ability to win battles with speed or power. It wouldn't surprise me to hear Burch talked about as one of the best in college football in a few years. Anyone who passes on Young in the April draft is crazy.
2. A.J. Epenesa
Recruiting: An Iowa legacy since his father, Eppy, played for the Hawkeyes in the 1990s, Epenesa committed in January of his junior year. Oklahoma and others made a serious push but it always seemed like Iowa would be nearly impossible to beat.
Performance: Epenesa only has 22 tackles this season but he’s added 4.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Comparison: Darrion Henry
Farrell’s take: Epenesa was a big, powerful defensive lineman out of high school who flourished off of contact and overpowered opponents. However, he also had sneaky speed. Henry is less polished at the same stage but has some similar traits. Henry should be a star in college and Epenesa is a potential first-rounder when he decides to leave.
3. Yetur Gross-Matos
Recruiting: In February of his junior season, Gross-Matos committed to Penn State over North Carolina and Virginia Tech, his other favorites. Shortly before his pledge, Tennessee had also offered and was being considered but came in too late.
Performance: Gross-Matos has recorded 28 tackles (9.5 for loss) with 5.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries so far this season.
Comparison: Donell Harris
Farrell’s take: Harris is thinner than Gross-Matos at the same stage but I chose him because he is excellent as an outside pass rusher who needs to add power and strength to take his game to the next level. Gross-Matos developed quite a bit during his senior year and hit the ground running as a freshman and Harris, a recent Texas A&M commitment, could do the same.
4. Jon Greenard
Recruiting: In the summer before his senior season, Greenard committed to Louisville over Kentucky, Middle Tennessee State and others. He played for the Cardinals throughout his career and is now a graduate transfer at Florida.
Performance: Greenard is tied for second on the Gators with 40 tackles and he also has a team-high four sacks and seven quarterback hurries. He has added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery as well.
Comparison: Sav'ell Smalls
Farrell’s take: Smalls is a top-10 prospect while Greenard was a three-star coming out of high school, but they had similar builds and could play linebacker or defensive end at the next level. Greenard has flourished at Florida and has risen on many draft boards while Smalls is already on the radar even though he's not even out of high school.
5. Xavier Thomas
Recruiting: It was believed South Carolina held a significant advantage in Thomas’ recruitment, but then Clemson made it 50-50 and then the Tigers started pulling ahead and Thomas made his commitment in the spring before his senior season. Many others were also involved but this always seemed like a South Carolina-Clemson battle.
Performance: In seven games this season, Thomas has 18 tackles (4.5 for loss) with two sacks and six quarterback hurries. He’s also recovered a fumble.
Comparison: Myles Murphy
Farrell’s take: I was a huge fan of Thomas out of high school and think he'll be an amazing NFL player while Murphy has some of the same intangibles. The only difference is whether Murphy is as physical as Thomas. But when it comes to power and burst off the line of scrimmage, both have what it takes to be great and Murphy will follow Thomas to Clemson.
