JUCO Report, 9/30

The junior college football season is approximately half over in most regions of the country. With that in mind, here's a listing of 16 defensive linemen who have emerged as potential BCS prospects

Defensive End

Jhaustin Thomas (6-6, 270, Decatur, Ga./Trinity Valley C.C.) – Thomas signed with South Carolina in the 2012 class and has gave a pledge in June to re-join the Gamecocks as a part of the next year. Thomas currently leads all junior college defenders with 8.5 sacks on the season. With his size, he is potentially the most intriguing JUCO prospect on the defensive line for this class. (2013 stats through five games: 27 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 8.5 sacks, 1 PBU)

Whitney Richardson (6-5, 240, Pensacola/Mesa C.C.) – Because of his length and pass-rush ability, Richardson was tracked by a number of schools (including Florida) out of high school. It was well-known he was a sign-and-place guy coming out of the prep ranks, however. Richardson has been off to a slightly slower start this fall than last season at Mississippi Gulf Coast, where he notched eight sacks as a freshman. (2013 stats through five games: 23 tackles, 5 for loss, 0.5 sacks, 1 FF)

Others to watch:

Demetrius Hill (6-3, 250, Kankakee, Ill./Fort Scott C.C.) – 35 tackles, 7.0 for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 FF)

Kyle Holmes (6-3, 232, Beaumont, Tex./Blinn College) – 24 tackles, 7.0 for loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 PBU)

Anthony Olobia (6-5, 245, Renton, Wash./Arizona Western College) – 27 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks

Dalyou Pierson (6-3, 260, Bakersfield, Calif./Pasadena City College) – 21 tackles, 11.0 for loss, 6.0 sacks

Tui Talia (6-5, 260, Pleasant Hill, Calif./Diablo Valley College) – 31 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 5.0 sacks, 2 PBU 

Brent Williams (6-4, 240, Los Angeles, Calif./El Camino College) – 24 tackles, 7.0 for loss, 6.0 sacks

Defensive Tackle

DaVonte Lambert (6-2, 275, Waynesboro, Ga./Georgia Military College) – Ranked as one of the top junior college prospects in the country for the 2014 class, Lambert has already given a commitment to Tennessee after being hotly pursued by Auburn, Georgia and Florida, among others. (2013 stats through six games: 15 tackles, 5.0 for loss, 3.0 sacks, 3 FF)

Steven Eddings (6-4, 285, Memphis, Tenn./Jones County J.C.) – Eddings has been off to a hot start. Impressive numbers early on. He could be the late-bloomer for this year's JUCO crop, comparative to Lavon Hooks of the 2013 class. (25 tackles, 5.0 for loss, 2.0 sacks, 1 PBU)

Jarran Reed (6-4, 305, Goldsboro, N.C./East Mississippi C.C.) – Signed with Florida earlier this year, but was unable to meet the academic requirements to get into school for the fall semester. Mid-year enrollee. Really hasn't made any statistical leaps since last year through the first half of the season. (2013 stats through five games: 20 tackles, 1.0 sacks)

Others to watch:

Raymond Coen (6-3, 295, Rio Linda, Calif./Sacramento City College) – 23 tackles, 11.0 for loss, 6.0 sacks

Calvin Heurtelou (6-4, 304, Nanuet, N.Y./Scottsdale C.C.) – 28 tackles, 8.0 for loss, 1 FR

Cory Johnson (6-3, 305, Chambersburg, Pa./Asa College) – 18 tackles, 2.0 for loss

Abu Lamin (6-4, 310, Raleigh, N.C./Fort Scott C.C.) – 17 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1 FF

Daniel Ross (6-4, 310, Louisville, Ky./Northeast Mississippi C.C.) – 25 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 1.0 sacks, 1 FF)