247Sports released its initial rankings for the 2029 recruiting class on Wednesday, with 100 prospects receiving grades of 90 or above from the scouting team.

The Deep South coverage area — Alabama, Mississippi, southern Georgia, and southern Tennessee — is well represented with several players projecting not just as blue-chip prospects, but potentially future five stars as well. 

These seven players made the initial Top 100 for the 2029 cycle…

No. 5 Overall

Captain Munnerlyn Jr. begins the proceedings as the region’s top-ranked player and is the No. 1 safety in the country as well.

Safeties don’t often find their way into the Top 10 of these rankings, which should speak highly to a transcendent skill set. 

Munnerlyn Jr. is the son of a decade-long NFL veteran and burst onto the scene last season with 76 tackles as a freshman for a good Williamson program.

Length, positional versatility and polished technique are all working for Munnerlyn Jr.

 

No. 7 Overall

Zayquan Dozier dominated the 1A level as a freshman with 24.0 TFL and 5.0 sacks as part of his 76 total tackles. 

With a wide frame to project as a future 300-pounder and some unique explosive traits (was a state-qualifier in the shot-put) , Dozier is almost assuredly  going to be a national recruit by the time it’s all said and done.

Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Florida State, and Georgia Tech are among the programs that got on him early. 

 

No. 22 Overall (90 Grade)

DeMarcus Van Dyke Jr., the son of Auburn cornerbacks coach Demarcus Van Dyke, has one of the most intriguing builds of any defensive back at the prep level regardless of class.

He’s legitimately 6-foot-4, maybe taller, and still growing. He’s also started to fill out, moving past the 180-pound range this offseason.

One regional prep coach in the area recently shared that Van Dyke Jr. looked remarkably comfortable from a movement perspective for his size and age. 

Van Dyke Jr. holds 40+ offers. But with his father as his primary recruiter at Auburn…it sure seems like dad will have the inside track here. 

 

Edge DJ Washington, Tuskegee (Ala.) Booker T. Washington High

No. 33 Overall (90 Grade)

DJ Washington provided glimpses of what can be with 8 TFL in just five games as a freshman. But beyond the stats, it’s the playing style that impresses as Washington’s first step and flexibility stand out for his age. Add in a 6-foot-3, 225-pound already, and there’s a path to being an extremely disruptive, scheme-versatile edge defender at the P4 level and beyond.

Miami offered earlier this offseason and Tennessee jumped aboard on Wednesday as his first SEC offer.

  

No. 47 Overall

Derrious Burkhalter compiled over 100 tackles as a freshman last season and quickly added offers from Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

He’s remarkably quick and fluid. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Burkhalter has the frame and movements to develop into a prototypical modern-day linebacker who can take up tons of ground.

  

No. 62 Overall (90 Grade)

Elijah Turner is 6-foot-5, 285-pounds and carries it remarkably well with ability and power that is rare among someone his age and size. 

Turner has already become a commodity among regional playoff programs like Georgia and Ole Miss.

But he’s trending to become a national recruit who will likely have his pick of SEC and Big Ten programs.

 

No. 86 Overall (90 Grade)

Jordyn Fernandez already has optimal size (6-3/305) and has picked up early offers from Ole Miss and Mississippi State, with the Rebels showing him a lot of attention.

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