Rankings Breakdown: 2023 Defensive Linemen

The defensive linemen in the 2023 class have showcased some strong talent and potential, with one of them already holding over 30 offers. The potential and intangibles are there, and they will all be exciting to follow as they continue to mature. Here’s a look at the top 5 defensive linemen in the 2023 class: &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="87402" first="Jayden" last="Wayne"], <strong>6’5" 240lbs, Lincoln <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-136303" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/PRZ-Generic-Gray-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /></strong> Wayne sizes up with a tremendous frame and length and possesses excellent athleticism across the board, which is part of the reason he is a national recruit and already holds over 30 offers. He displays a nice initial ball get off and frequently wins off the LOS. A definite mismatch against offensive linemen given his size and quickness. He shows a great understanding of leverage and explosiveness, and brings strength to the POA. Wayne is already a stud pass rusher, but projects to blow up the Washington high school football scene for the next two seasons and put up big numbers. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="155579" first="Dallas" last="Afalava"],<strong> 6’3" 250lbs, Rainier Beach </strong> Afalava sizes up with a solid frame and length and is a promising young prospect for Rainier Beach. He displays good quickness off the LOS to win immediately off the ball, yet also possesses solid functional strength to overpower offensive linemen. Afalava flashes athletic hands with a nice rip, but could add flexibility and bend as he matures. He is explosive through the hips and flashes strength at the POA. He does a good job with pursuit to make plays down the field. A definite 2023 kid to watch this upcoming season. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="87421" first="Trey" last="Meredith"], <strong>6’0" 260lbs, Lincoln</strong> Another standout big man for Lincoln, Meredith comes in with strong potential on both sides of the ball. Most of his film is from the offensive side of the ball, but he flashed solid potential last season along the DL and is prone for a bigger role heading into the fall. He sizes up with a thick frame and base and possesses good functional strength. He flashed violent, athletic hands along the defensive line and possesses a strong lower half. Meredith will be a 2023 to keep an eye on throughout the season as he continues to develop. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="87424" first="Stian" last="Andreassen"], <strong>6’0" 290lbs, Kennedy Catholic<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-78555" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/IMG_4425-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></strong> Andreassen had a short 3 game season, but flashed some strong potential to earn him a top 5 spot as he looks like a legit upcoming prospect to step on the field day one this season and produce. He possesses a strong lower half and flashes explosiveness through the hips, which contributes to a nice bull-rush. He’s a scrappy kid and plays with a chip on his shoulder, and should have a strong junior campaign for Kennedy Catholic this fall. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="155587" first="Kolani" last="Masunu"], <strong>5’11" 270lbs, Bellevue</strong> Masunu will be a key player to watch on the Bellevue defense this season. He displays solid quickness and wins off the LOS and showed glimpses of an excellent initial strike to knock back offensive linemen. He flashes solid power and is strong at the POA as he adds a nice bull-rush into his arsenal. Masunu has also flashed violent hands on some plays, giving him strong potential as he continues to develop.