DeKalb County has plenty of talent returning along the defensive line heading into the 2026 season, and the defensive tackle position is no exception.

From massive nose guards who can eat up multiple blockers to explosive interior defenders capable of creating pressure in the backfield, this group features a variety of skill sets and body types.

Here’s a look at the Top 5 defensive tackles in DeKalb County entering the 2026 season, along with several players who narrowly missed the cut.

1. Jamonei Edwards | Jr. | Lithonia | 6’4”, 280 lbs

Three-star Jamonei Edwards is the top returning defensive tackle in DeKalb County entering his junior season — and for good reason.

His size alone makes him a dominant force up front, but his athletic ability and versatility are what make him such a special talent. Edwards can line up over the center as a true nose guard, play the three-technique and get after the quarterback, or line up as a four-technique and set the edge when needed.

He’s a true jack-of-all-trades at the defensive tackle position.

While sharing the field with a plethora of talented defensive linemen, including incoming Mississippi State freshman Tico Crittendon, Edwards enjoyed a breakout sophomore season. He finished with 47 tackles (21 solo), seven sacks, 11 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He also blocked a field goal against Tucker, showcasing yet another layer of his athleticism.

Edwards plays with a relentless motor and displays natural movement and fluidity for a player his size. He consistently finds himself in the backfield, whether he’s making a tackle, applying pressure or forcing a running back to cut back into one of his teammates.

He has strong hands and routinely beats double teams with ease.

Edwards has also slimmed down considerably since last season and enters his junior campaign seemingly faster, stronger and even more explosive than before.

If that physical development translates to the field, Edwards could become one of the most disruptive and elite interior defenders in the state, if not the entire country.

2. Brinston “Bully” Mitchell | Sr. | Stephenson | 6’4”, 280 lbs

Transferring in from Luella, Brinston “Bully” Mitchell is exactly what his nickname suggests — a bully in the trenches.

Mitchell is coming off a junior season in which he recorded 55 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, six sacks and three forced fumbles, earning second-team All-Henry County honors and All-Region honorable mention recognition. He also finished in the top four in his region in the discus throw, further showcasing his impressive combination of size and athleticism.

Mitchell sheds blocks with ease and is deceptively fast off the ball, but the raw power he possesses is what truly stands out.

His ability to disrupt plays without even having to make the tackle is impressive. Physically imposing is probably the best way to describe his style of play.

His versatility is on par with Edwards, as Mitchell can line up all across the defensive line. Now entering a new system that features a household name like five-star LSU commit KJ Green coming off the edge, expect Mitchell to make a major impact in the middle of the Jaguars’ defense in 2026.

With Green commanding attention on the outside, Mitchell could have plenty of opportunities to wreak havoc inside.

3. Romani Parker | Sr. | Miller Grove | 6’3”, 330 lbs

Romani Parker earned DeKalb honorable mention honors last season after recording 51 tackles (34 solo), seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Parker does exactly what you want from a true nose guard.

He clogs running lanes with his sheer size and strength while moving opposing offensive linemen around with ease. In passing situations, he has the ability to collapse the pocket and create pressure from the interior.

Perhaps most impressive is Parker’s quick first step — something you don’t commonly see from players his size at any level.

He makes offenses pay for missed blocking assignments, and if a ball carrier gets too close and Parker gets his hands on him, it’s usually over. Watching him play is almost like watching a big grizzly bear roaming around the middle of the defense.

If teams don’t double-team Parker, it’s usually trouble.

But with the plethora of weapons Miller Grove has defensively, particularly on the edge with Urrea Cloud and Candler Adams, trying to block Parker one-on-one may be the only option offenses have.

And that could be a problem.

4. Chris Hector | Sr. | Columbia | 6’3”, 305 lbs

Three-star Colorado State commit Chris Hector is an anchor in the middle of Columbia’s defensive line.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 305 pounds, Hector is a lot to handle for opposing offensive linemen. He enters his senior season after recording 29 tackles (seven solo) and four tackles for loss as a junior.

The numbers may not necessarily jump off the page, but they don’t tell the full story of Hector’s impact.

Even while also anchoring Columbia’s offensive line at left tackle, Hector remains a consistent force defensively. His production is partially a reflection of opposing teams’ reluctance to run directly at him.

Hector possesses an athletic ability that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from someone his size. Combine that with his raw power and a developing finesse element to his pass-rush game, and you have a legitimate people mover in the middle.

Once Hector gets into the backfield, he can create problems in a hurry.

Off the field, Hector is one of the nicest people you could possibly meet. On the field, however, he plays with such nastiness and aggression that you’d hardly recognize him as the same person.

5. Crishaun “Sumo” Broadnax | Jr. | Cedar Grove | 5’10”, 220 lbs

Despite being the smallest player on this list, Crishaun “Sumo” Broadnax definitely lives up to his nickname.

Broadnax is coming off a sophomore season in which he recorded 50 tackles (35 solo), one sack and five tackles for loss.

He thrives as a three-technique but can still line up at nose guard and make plays despite his size. Depending on the defensive alignment, he can even set the edge.

What stands out immediately is his first step. Broadnax has an innate ability to beat opposing offensive linemen off the ball and get into the backfield in a hurry.

He shoots his hands with force, and his swim move is his go-to weapon — and it’s effective.

Even when he appears to be off balance, Broadnax is nimble enough to maintain his composure, regain his footing and still find himself around the football. He’s also willing to take on double teams and has shown the ability to win those battles.

Expect Broadnax to take another step forward as a junior and make a strong case as one of the more consistently dominant interior defensive linemen (and overall defenders) in DeKalb County.

Honorable Mentions

Michael “Psycho” Anderson | Sr. | Tucker | 6’0”, 270 lbs

2025 stats: 19 tackles (12 solo), 0.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles.

Christopher Dupree | Sr. | MLK

2025 stats through six games: 33 tackles (16 solo), 1 sack, 9 tackles for loss.

Zion Alford | Jr. | MLK | 5’9”, 225 lbs

2025 stats: 21 tackles (12 solo), 3 sacks, 4 tackles for loss.

Batou Jatta | Sr. | Miller Grove

2025 stats: 20 tackles (15 solo), 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss.

Jaquan Morris | Jr. | Miller Grove | 6’0”, 250 lbs

2025 stats: 20 tackles (15 solo), 1 sack, 3.5 tackles for loss.

Amir Ferguson | Sr. | Lithonia | 6’1”, 270 lbs

2025 stats at Southwest DeKalb: 12 tackles (8 solo), 1 sack, 4.5 tackles for loss.

Andrew Eberly | Jr. | Clarkston | 5’8”, 210 lbs

2025 stats: 41 tackles (15 solo), 1.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss.

Cody Tong | Sr. | Clarkston

2025 stats: 24 tackles (7 solo), 2 sacks, 6 tackles for loss.

Abdul Hawkins | Sr. | Southwest DeKalb | 6’3”, 290 lbs

2025 stats: 14 tackles (6 solo), 3 tackles for loss.

Mateo Montelongo | Jr. | Chamblee | 6’0”, 225 lbs

2025 stats: 14 tackles (1 solo), 0.5 tackles for loss.