Top Kentucky Defensive Linemen 2022

The defensive line class for 2022 is extremely talented, both at the defensive end and tackle positions. They are quick, athletic, mobile, and physical athletes. Here is a look at the five defensive linemen that made it to a spot in the top fifty of the rankings. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144967" first="Selah" last="Brown"]     6’2” 260     DE     Louisville Male</strong> Brown is the number two ranked player in the state and the best defensive lineman in the current rankings. Brown is quick off the snap and instantly disengages from blockers if they can touch him at all. He also possesses the strength and leverage to power rush when necessary. Brown is a one-man wrecking crew that destroys blocking schemes with his quickness and physicality. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144968" first="Jadairion" last="Smith"]     6’3” 230     DE     Louisville Ballard</strong> Powerful in the core and upper body, Smith can lock out bigger offensive linemen and hold his ground at the point of attack. He also is mobile along the line of scrimmage and has excellent balance and body control. He is a quick reactor and can retrace to make plays on the perimeter. Smith is tough to block when pass rushing by using his speed and long arms to pressure the quarterback into releasing the football early. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="149091" first="Jeremiah" last="Lightfoot"]     6’4” 285     DT     Bowling Green</strong> Lightfoot is a thick and powerful defensive lineman that can play a one or three technique at the next level. He has an impressive surge off the line of scrimmage, often knocking the offensive blocker into the backfield. Lightfoot lives up to his name by being light on his feet for such a big man. He can hold the point or shed the blocker, then pursue to the football. It’s tough for one man to take this guy on solo. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="149088" first="Landon" last="Hammock"]     6’4” 270     DT     Pikeville</strong> Hammock can play either defensive tackle or a zero technique noseguard. Few defensive linemen have as good of first strike ability as Hammock. He jars the offensive lineman across from him with his strong hands and upper body. Hammock has an arsenal of techniques like the push-pull, shrug, power rush, and short swim, to throw at the blocker then pursue to the football or rush the quarterback. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="149083" first="Brent" last="Mckitric"]     6’0” 285     DT/DE     Mercer County</strong> McKitric can play tackle or defensive end but will probably lineup as a one or three technique at the next level. He uses his lack of height to his advantage by winning the leverage battle against taller offensive linemen. McKitric is impossible to drive off the ball even if being double teamed. He stuffs any blocker that tries to trap or kick him out. He has very good lateral quickness along with a great motor that goes till the whistle blows.