Junior Defensive Linemen to Watch in ’21

With Nine Defensive Linemen in the top 48 from the class of 2023, it is safe to say that there is tremendous talent at the position.  Here are five Junior Defensive Linemen looking to have a stellar Junior season in 2021. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37680" first="Sa’o" last="Siavi’i"], 6’1, 230, St. Thomas Aquinas</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="37680" first="Sa’o" last="Siavi’i"] is the 2nd ranked DL and the 19th ranked player overall in the class of 2023.  He had a good Sophomore season in 2020 as he made 33 tackles with 8 TFL, 5 sacks and a pass defensed.  He plays as a DE where he lines up primarily in a 5T and 7T.  Against the run, he uses his very good quickness to defeat reach blocks from the playside OT, his good use of hands and play strength to shed the block, his good instincts to take the correct angle in pursuit and shows the play strength and physical toughness to bring down large RB with force.  As a pass rusher, he possesses the burst and quickness to beat his man at the LOS but also is strong enough to bullrush larger OT as well.  He displays good motor and range in pursuit of the QB and is able to catch him and bring him down for the sack. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35655" first="Chazz" last="Tarantino"], 5’11, 185, Bishop Miege</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="35655" first="Chazz" last="Tarantino"] is the 4th ranked DL and the 28th ranked player overall in the class of 2023.  He plays primarily as a DT where he lines up in a 3T but also lines up as a DE in a 4i.  As a pass rusher, he shows incredible burst off the ball as he quickly penetrates the LOS, uses his very good play speed and motor in pursuit and uses his very good play strength to bring down larger QB with force.  Against the run, delivers a powerful punch to the frame of the OT as he drives him back and sheds the block, showing good range in pursuit of the ball carrier as he navigates through traffic and shows good form tackling ability as he plays at a very good pad level and drives his shoulder through the RB leading to an easy tackle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35656" first="Antonio" last="Martinez"], 6’1, 180, St James Academy</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="35656" first="Antonio" last="Martinez"] is the 5th ranked DL and the 35th ranked player in the class of 2023.  He made 5 tackles as a Sophomore in 2020 and is looking to have a breakout Junior season in 2021.  He plays as a DE where he lines up in a 5T.  Against the run, he uses his very good instincts to quickly key and diagnose the play while using his very good quickness to beat the OT inside, displays good play speed in pursuit and uses his very good leverage and play strength in his upper and lower body to bring down the RB with ease. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35659" first="Ben" last="Zluticky"], 6’0, 280, Kapaun Mt. Carmel </strong> [player_tooltip player_id="35659" first="Ben" last="Zluticky"] is the 7th ranked DL and the 45th ranked player in the class of 2023.  He plays primarily as a NT where he lines up in a 0T and also as a DT lined up in a 2i.  At the snap of the ball, he fires out low, uses his very good play strength to stack the C at the point of attack as he shoots his hands with good placement inside the frame, keeps his eyes on the ball carrier at all times and uses his size and power to bring down the RB.  He displays very good competitive toughness as he shows the ability to make plays in the backfield when the opposing team has the ball deep in their own territory. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35683" first="Ben" last="Evans"], 6’2, 250, Hayden</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="35683" first="Ben" last="Evans"] is the 8th ranked DL and the 46th ranked player in the class of 2023.  He plays primarily as a DT where he lines up in a 3T.  Against the run, he is able to beat the OG with his leverage and play strength, clogs the running lane as the RB hits the hole and uses his good form tackling ability to bring down large and quick RB with ease.  Against the pass, he fires out low, uses his good play strength to bullrush the OG winning battles with his hands inside, he keeps his eyes on the QB and uses his power and physical toughness to bring down the QB with force for the sack while using his excellent motor playing to the whistle. &nbsp; &nbsp;