Top 10 high school defensive players in Texas for 2019

Among them are Darrell Green of Jones (Houston), Joe Greene of Temple Dunbar, Ken Houston of Dunbar (Fort Worth), Bob Lilly of Throckmorton, John Randle of Hearne, Mike Singletary of Worthing (Houston) and Michael Strahan of Westbury (Houston).

None of the following are destined, yet, for the Hall of Fame. But they sure are on a good path.

Top 10 rated defenders from Texas for 2019

10. Tunmise Adeleye — Tompkins (Katy)
As a sophomore, the 6-foot-3, 260-pound defensive end had 53 tackles and eight sacks for the 10-3 Falcons. He's regarded as the No. 47 recruit overall in the country for the Class of 2021 and among his 26 college offers: Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and Texas.
247Sports evaluation: Flashes impressive strength at the point of attack. A bull in the phone booth who can drive offensive linemen into the pocket. Consistently gets hands inside blockers to steer where he wants. Shows power to punch and shed in the run game.

9. Vernon Broughton — Cy Ridge
The 6-5, 286-pound senior defensive tackle is ranked the No. 76 recruit overall nationally. He has 25 college offers, but is firmly committed to the University of Texas. Considered versatile along the defensive front.
247Sports evaluation: College-ready size with frame space to easily get north of 300 pounds with good weight. Flashes impressive quickness off the ball relative to size. Solid tackler who wraps and drives. Shows noticeable close-quarters power on tape. Active defender with a high motor. Engaged and aware vs. the run. Athletic enough to track down plays from behind in backside situations.

8. Jaylon Jones — Steele (Cibolo)
The 6-2, 195-pound senior safety has 67 career tackles, nine pass deflections and two interceptions in his two-year varsity career at Steele. Rated the No. 2 safety in the country, Jones has already committed to Texas A&M.
247Sports evaluation: Tall, wiry defender with long levers. Has outstanding body quickness and suddenness, particularly for a long-limbed athlete. Has shown top-tier combine athleticism and plays with bounce athletically on tape. Has position versatility as a safety or a cornerback.

7. Corey Flagg Jr. — North Shore (Houston)
The 5-11, 225-pound inside linebacker has 16 college offers, but already picked Miami. Instinctive and a big-hitter, Flagg also has the speed to chase down defenders on the outside. He leads the defense for the defending national and state 6A-1 champions.

6. Prince Dorbah — Highland Park (Dallas)
The 6-4, 215-pound senior is the 10th-ranked outside linebacker in the country and last month committed to the University of Texas. He's helped lead the Scots to their second and third consecutive state titles with mammoth seasons: 167 total tackles and 26 sacks.
247Sports evaluation: Long and lean athlete who bursts off the line of scrimmage. Has provided outstanding production for a state power in Texas Class 5A. Closes fast in pursuit and is dangerous chasing from the backside. High ceiling as a pass-rusher at the high-major level. 5. Kendrick Blackshire — Duncanville
The 6-2, 250-pound junior inside linebacker will be a menace for the nation's No. 7 ranked team. Personally, he's ranked third best inside linebacker nationally in his class and because of it, has garnered 27 college offers, including from Alabama, LSU and Oklahoma. The 180 tackles he's delivered over two seasons hasn't hurt either.
247Sports evaluation: A bulked-up specimen with virtually college-ready size at linebacker as a high school sophomore. Powerful lower body with impressive upper-body build. Has made plays as traditional inside linebacker, off the edge, and playing with a hand on the ground. Could provide personnel flexibility in college. Diagnoses quickly and closes fast in pursuit, especially relative to size.

4. Xavion Alford — Shadow Creek (Pearland)
The 6-1, 190-pound senior safety burst onto the scene last season, recording six interceptions for the 15-1 Sharks. With 43 offers, the highly coveted defensive back has yet to take a visit, but has suitors such as Alabama, LSU, Texas and Texas A&M.
247Sports evaluation: Flashes good ball skills that manifest in strong production vs. the pass. High-points jump balls like a receiver. Owns a bigger catch radius thanks to frame. Around the ball a lot. High ceiling as a hitter thanks to downhill acceleration and frame potential. Tracks downfield throws well.

3. Chris Thompson Jr. — Duncanville
The 6-2, 195-pound senior safety led Duncanville into the state D6 title game last year. He's earned 36 college offers, but appears sold on Texas, Auburn, USC or Ohio State.
247Sports evaluation: Physical defender with elite frame potential for projected position. Great height and length with ample space to continue to add bulk. Huge hitter who can separate the ball from the runner. Provides highlight-reel pops in the open field. Flashes impressive straight-line closing speed. Enforcer in the run game when crashing downhill into the box.

2. RJ Mickens — Carroll (Southlake)
The highly productive 6-1, 200-pound senior safety has already been on 192 tackles and intercepted seven passes for one of the state's premier programs. No wonder he's ranked the third best safety in the country and committed to defending national champion Clemson. He has 30 other offers if he changes his mind.
247Sports evaluation: Talented defensive back prospect with a good frame and an obvious feel for the game. Above-average height and good frame potential for a player destined for the secondary. Experience in multiple DB roles, but projects best to safety. Great football pedigree. Natural football player with good instincts. Difference-maker in all three phases for Texas big-school powerhouse.

1. Drew Sanders — Ryan (Denton)
The 6-5, 232-pound senior is ranked the No. 1 all-around athlete in the country for the Class of 2020, though he's slated to be an immediate impactful linebacker at Alabama starting in 2020. Sanders has been a passer, rusher and receiver for Ryan, but his real impact has been leading a defense with 141 career tackles, eight sacks and three interceptions. Once he focuses on just one side of the ball, watch out.
247Sports evaluation: Big-framed jumbo athlete who could play high-major football on either side of the line of scrimmage in multiple spots.