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 starting with defensive tackles.
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CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals100 | Position | Team | State
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1. Derrick Brown
Recruiting: On National Signing Day, Brown committed to Auburn over Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and others. He also took an official visit to Mississippi State.
Performance: The former five-star has 37 tackles so far this season (fourth on the team) along with eight for loss including four sacks. Brown has added two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries.
Comparison: Justin Rogers (2020)
Farrell’s take: These are tough comparisons to make because most of the college defensive linemen have added so much size and strength since college. But for Brown it was also about athleticism and change of direction which is why I compare him with Rodgers who is a freak athlete. Brown is clearly the top defensive tackle in the draft next April and Rodgers has a chance to have a similar impact in the SEC.
2. Javon Kinlaw
Recruiting: Kinlaw committed to South Carolina out of high school but then went to junior college and eventually backed off his Gamecocks’ pledge. Alabama, USC and South Carolina emerged as the favorites and after taking some visits he picked the Gamecocks again.
Performance: The former three-star has 27 tackles and 5.5 sacks so far this season. Kinlaw has added two fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries as well.
Comparison: Bryan Bresee (2020)
Farrell’s take: Bresee obviously has much more hype coming out of high school and is more athletic at the same stage but Kinlaw has progressed so much that this comparison is a good one. Both are very long linemen with excellent balance and strong motors. Bresee will dominate college football. Kinlaw is rising on the boards of many NFL teams.
3. Jay Tufele
Recruiting: On National Signing Day, Tufele picked USC over BYU, Utah, Michigan and Ohio State. He was ranked as the fourth-best defensive tackle in the 2017 class behind Marvin Wilson, Aubrey Solomon and Tyler Shelvin.
Performance: The former high four-star prospect has recorded 32 tackles (five for loss) with 3.5 sacks and one quarterback hurry so far this season.
Comparison: Demonte Capeheart (2020)
Farrell’s take: Tufele was a very athletic and energetic defensive tackle coming out who had an array of moves. Capeheart has developed so much in the last year I could see him having a similar impact down the line. Tufele will be a 10-year pro, just watch.
4. Marvin Wilson
Recruiting: Ranked as the second-best overall prospect in the 2017 class, Wilson chose Florida State on National Signing Day over LSU, Ohio State and others. LSU was considered the slight favorite leading up to his decision but the Seminoles won out.
Performance: In nine games this season, Wilson has 44 tackles (8.5 for loss) including five sacks. The former five-star also has four pass deflections, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He's done for the year with a hand injury, though.
Comparison: Timothy Smith (2020)
Farrell’s take: I love Smith a lot more than others which is why he’s compared with Wilson, who was once our No. 1 player overall. Both are strong but do work with their speed, athleticism and balance more than anything. It’s unfortunate that Wilson was injured this year but it won’t stop his NFL future.
5. Tedarrell Slaton
Recruiting: Ranked as a four-star offensive tackle at 6-foot-6 and 339 pounds, Slaton picked Florida over Kentucky and many others on National Signing Day.
Performance: Playing in nine games so far this season, Slaton has totaled 22 tackles (two for loss) with a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.
Comparison: Gervon Dexter (2020)
Farrell’s take: Slaton is massive and was much bigger in high school than Dexter but I could see the latter adding a lot of weight and power in college and become that same dominating inside presence.
