Who are the best pass rushing duos in Alabama high school football entering the 2022 season? Here are five top choices that would be hard to argue against.
1. James Smith and Jaquavious Russaw (Carver-Montgomery)
Even though James Smith and Jaquavious Russaw did not play together at Carver-Montgomery a year ago, there is no denying that the two are the state’s top pass rushing duo entering the 2022 season.
A five-star recruit, as well as the state’s top player, Smith spent the 2021 season at IMG Academy in Florida, but has returned to Carver-Montgomery for his senior season and will be one of the state’s top interior defensive lineman. Russaw is a highly rated four-star prospect who is coming off a 2021 season in which he received Class 6A First Team All-State honors by totaling 130 tackles, 27.5 TFL, and 16 sacks
2. Tomarrion Parker and Isaia Faga (Central-Phenix City)
One of the state’s sack leaders during the 2021 season, Tomarrion Parker returns for his senior campaign at Central-Phenix City, while Isaia Faga is a rising junior possibly set for a big 2022.
Parker, a top 2023 recruit, is coming off a phenomenal junior season in which he amassed 78 tackles, 27 TFL, and 15 sacks, bringing his total to 26.5 sacks across the last two seasons. The four-star is set to add to that total in a big way this season. Faga, who added 37 tackles and 3.5 sacks a year ago, is poised for a breakout season.
3. Peter Woods and Elijah Williams (Thompson)
Three-time defending 7A state champion Thompson undoubtedly had the top pass rushing duo in Alabama high school football with Peter Woods and Jeremiah Alexander a year ago.
The Warriors will return one of those names in Woods, a five-star recruit who recorded 26 TFL and 11 sacks, two numbers he will likely top this season. Defensive tackle Elijah Williams is another pass rushing threat likely to emerge as the season goes along.
4. Hunter Osborne and Tyrell Averhart (Hewitt-Trussville)
A case could be made that Osborne and Averhart deserve a higher spot on this list of leading pass rushing duos. The pair certainly are set for a big 2022 season along the Hewitt-Trussville defensive front.
Osborne, one of the state’s top defensive line commits, is coming off a 2021 season in which he collected 60 tackles and 5.5 sacks, as well as 10 TFL. Averhart is coming off an impressive season of his own in which he collected 47 tackles and seven sacks.
5. Devin Finley and Jamon Smith (Clay-Chalkville)
Clay-Chalkville, the defending Class 6A state champion, is a team that could have several different names on this list.
The Cougars return all three of their sack leaders, with Devin Finley and Jamon Smith leading the way after combining for 16 sacks a year ago. D’Angelo Barber, the Cougars’ leading tackler in 2021, collected nine sacks himself and will help create havoc for opposing QBs.
