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Defensive tackle has become one of the more sought-after positions for D1 scouts in recent years, with a record 63 athletes from the JUCO ranks signing at D1 schools last season. A total of 55 already have offers for this year with 37 making commitments, making for another banner season for the big fellas inside.
Defensive tackle has always been a big priority for D1 scouts, with players such as Jarran Reed (Seattle Seahawks), Sheldon Richardson (Minnesota Vikings), Domato Peko (Denver Broncos) and a number of others making it to the NFL in recent years. This season’s class has a number of stars in its own right, with a handful that are certain to make an immediate splash at the next level. This is the JCGridiron.com Defensive Tackle Rankings for the class of 2019.
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Oregon State defensive tackle signee Jordan Whittley comes in at No. 5 on JCGridiron.com's list of top JuCo DT's in the country.
The top guy from the California ranks was Laney’s Jordan Whittley, who was a dominating force up front for an Eagle program that captured the Golden State title. Much like the aforementioned Tapusoa, Whittley is a bit shorter at 6-foot-2 and 310 pounds, but makes up for his lack of height with great quickness and tenacity. Whittley finished with 35 tackles, 14.5 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks playing in the toughest conference in the northern half of the state, earning First Team All-Bay 6 Conference status. Whittley had offers from Oregon State, Hawaii, Central Florida and a number of others, signing with Oregon State in December. A burned redshirt season likely cut his offers in half, but the Beavers appear to have landed a gem. On film, Whittley is crazy quick off the ball with brute strength and a low center of gravity, meaning he should be an immediate force in the middle for the Beavers in 2019.
