Class of 2023: Top DL

With five Defensive Linemen in the top 19 and 2 in the top 3, it is safe to say that the class of 2023 has a great deal of talent at the Defensive Line position.  Here is a look at those five players. [player_tooltip player_id="34500" first="Brenan" last="Vernon"], 6’5, 250, Mentor [player_tooltip player_id="34500" first="Brenan" last="Vernon"] is the #2 ranked player and the #1 ranked DL in the class of 2023 overall.  The Notre Dame commit plays as a DE where he lines up primarily in a 5T.  Against the pass, he shows good burst off the ball and shows good hand use and flexibility as he wins the leverage battle against the OT.  He displays a good motor in his pursuit of the QB and finishes up with a sack or a hurry.  Against the run, he shows good play strength as he defeats the OT block, plays with a good pad level, squares his shoulder and delivers a great form tackle behind the LOS for a TFL. [player_tooltip player_id="34499" first="Luke" last="Montgomery"], 6’5, 265, Findlay [player_tooltip player_id="34499" first="Luke" last="Montgomery"] is the #2 ranked DL and the 3rd ranked player in the class of 2023 overall.  He is a versatile player who plays at every DL position.  Against the pass, he uses his excellent play strength to bullrush the OL into the QB before shedding the block and is able to force the QB to throw the ball earlier than anticipated.  Against the run, he uses his very good explosiveness to penetrate the LOS quickly while keeping his eyes on the ball carrier and delivers a powerful hit behind the LOS resulting in a TFL. [player_tooltip player_id="34494" first="Kobi" last="Gorman"], 6’2, 260, Pickerington Central [player_tooltip player_id="34494" first="Kobi" last="Gorman"] is the #3 ranked DL and the #9 ranked player in the class of 2023 overall.  He had a great Junior season in 2021 as he made 67 tackles and had 6 sacks.  His play helped the Tigers win 12 games this year.  He plays as a DT where he lines up in both a 1T and 3T.  Against the pass, he fires out low, uses his great play strength and use of hands to shed the block from the OG and uses his good motor and play speed while chasing the QB and finishes up with a sack.  Against the run, he shows very good quickness off the ball and uses his leverage to defeat the run block.  He shows good instincts in pursuit of the ball carrier and brings him to the ground with force. [player_tooltip player_id="34496" first="Kyler" last="Larosa"], 6’3, 265, Dublin Jerome [player_tooltip player_id="34496" first="Kyler" last="Larosa"] is the 4th ranked DL and the 13th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall.  He plays as a DT where he lines up in a 3T.  Against the run, he plays at a very good pad level while showing great use of hands and play strength as he stacks the OG at the point of attack and sheds the block with ease.  He locates the RB effectively and delivers a powerful hit.  Against the pass, he uses his good burst and physical toughness to defeat the OG block and penetrate the LOS.  He uses his good play speed to catch the QB before registering a sack. [player_tooltip player_id="189492" first="Will" last="Smith"], 6’3, 250, Dublin Coffman [player_tooltip player_id="189492" first="Will" last="Smith"] is the 5th ranked DL and the 19th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall.  He plays as a DE where he lines up in a 5T and 4i.  Against the pass, he fires off the ball and shows great UOH to beat the OT to the punch and sheds the block.  He uses his good motor in pursuit of the QB and hurries the QB to run out of bounds for a loss of yardage.  Against the run, he shows very good burst off the ball with good leverage as he defeats the OT block easily while keeping his eyes on the ball carrier the entire time.  He shows good play strength and form tackling ability as he brings the RB down with force.