The PNJ showed some love to the big guys up front on the offensive line late last week.
Now that same love is going to the same players in the trenches, just on the defensive side. Top defensive linemen in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are, without a doubt, not at a premium. Offensive lines might have some trouble stopping these standout defensive linemen.
Here’s a list of defensive linemen to watch from the Escambia and Santa Rosa County area for the 2024 season.
Pensacola-area defensive linemen to watch for entering 2024 season
Tylon Lee
School: Pace
Class: Senior
A recent commit to the University of Central Florida, Tylon Lee knows how to get into the backfield. As part of a relentless defense last year with Pace – which included linebacker Jackson Ward, another hard-hitting defender – Lee recorded 61 tackles (29 solo, 32 assisted) with 20 of those being for a loss. He also sacked the quarterback five times and had 24 quarterback hurries. On top of that, Lee added in a pair of caused fumbles.
Jeremiah Shelby
School: Pensacola Catholic
Class: Senior
Get used to this school being on this list. Jeremiah Shelby, who recently committed to the United States Air Force Academy, plays on both sides of the ball but is a force to be reckoned with on the defensive edge. Shelby posted 57 tackles (36 solo, 21 assisted) as a junior with 13 of those for a loss. He also had five sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. This will be Shelby’s third year as a starter for Pensacola Catholic.
Andre Caldwell
High school: West Florida
Class: Senior
West Florida is a generally younger team, head coach Harry Lees said. But at least one of those veterans is Andre Caldwell, who capped off the end of his junior season against Gulf Breeze in a monstrous way. He posted an interception on a tipped pass, and then he swatted down another pass later in the fourth quarter to prevent Gulf Breeze from advancing down the field in a tight game. Caldwell finished the 2023 campaign with 55 tackles (30 solo, 25 assisted), two sacks and one caused fumble.
Andrion Battle
High school: Escambia
Class: Junior
After a breakout sophomore season, Andrion Battle posted 45 tackles (24 solo, 21 assisted) with seven of those for a loss. He added four sacks, three quarterback hurries and tacked on a caused fumble. Battle will look to bolster a defensive line that had a few standouts last season in LeJon Williams and Ryan McVay. A few Gators players said the defensive line has “a lot of speed,” and Battle is no exception.
Terius Mason
School: Pensacola Catholic
Class: Senior
Another Crusader defensive line standout, Terius Mason is the team’s top returning tackler after losing both Turner McLaughlin and Demontrae Gaston to graduation. Mason posted 65 tackles (52 solo, 13 assisted) with 13 of those for a loss. He also recorded a team-high six sacks and caused four fumbles as a heavy-hitter. Mason recently committed to Eastern Kentucky University.
Kade Rollins
School: Gulf Breeze
Class: Junior
Gulf Breeze defensive coordinator Kevin Rollins already has the defense “flying around,” first-year head coach Jim Stomps said during the spring. Described as a “blitz guy,” Rollins has already instituted a strong defense that relies heavily on the front seven. After graduating Shamane Walker and Roehn Maldonado, expect Kade Rollins – son of Kevin Rollins – to continue his production from his sophomore season. Kade was fifth on the team in tackles last year with 46 (10 solo, 36 assisted) with eight for a loss plus one sack and 12 quarterback hurries.
Demetress Mosley
High school: Pine Forest
Class: Junior
A PNJ All-Area honorable mention last year, Demetress Mosley stood out as just a sophomore on the edge of the defensive line. While recording just one sack, Mosley posted 43 tackles (21 solo, 22 assisted) with a pass defended. The 6-foot-3 rising junior has some speed on the outside, sure to cause some chaos for offensive lines this fall.
Ezkiel Gaska
High school: Navarre
Class: Senior
Another standout edge rusher, Ezkiel Gaska is part of a Navarre roster that is promoting physicality and intensity under first-year head coach Garrett Bagley. After the Raiders posted a successful boys weightlifting season in the spring – with Gaska as no exception – the strength of Navarre’s defense should be a highlight. Gaska, the top returning defensive lineman for the Raiders, posted 55 tackles (32 solo, 23 assisted) with 11 tackles for a loss, 1 1/2 sacks with 22 quarterback hurries and a pair of caused…
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