Class of 2022 Under the Radar: DL

With 49 Defensive Linemen in the class of 2022 rankings, it is easy to see that there is a great deal of talent at the position.  Here are five under the radar Defensive Linemen from the class of 2022 who helped their team to a successful 2021 season. [player_tooltip player_id="34425" first="Drew" last="Logan"], 6’4, 220, Hoover [player_tooltip player_id="34425" first="Drew" last="Logan"] is the 9th ranked DL and the 64th ranked player in the class of 2022 overall.  In 2021, he had a great season as he helped Hoover to a 9-3 record and advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs.  His play helped Hoover’s defense give up an impressive 11.67 points per game and pitch 4 shutouts.  He plays as a DE.  Against the run, he fires out at a good pad level, uses his long arms to beat the OT to the punch and sheds the block with his good play strength and hand use.  He locates the ball carrier and displays a good form tackle as he brings him down by the LOS preventing a significant gain.  Against the pass, he uses his good burst and athletic ability to beat the OT, uses his very good closing speed and motor in pursuit and finishes up with a sack. [player_tooltip player_id="121678" first="Nathen" last="Cochran"], 6’3, 290, Ironton [player_tooltip player_id="121678" first="Nathen" last="Cochran"] is the 14th ranked DL and is currently on the Prep Redzone Watchlist.  His great play in 2021 helped Ironton to an 11-2 record, advance to the 3rd round of the playoffs and hold opposing offenses to only 8.15 points per game.  He plays as a DT where he lines up primarily in a 1T.  Against the run, he fires out low, uses his excellent play strength and hand use to shed the block.  He quickly penetrates the LOS and delivers a powerful hit to the running back for a TFL.  Against the pass, he easily overpowers the C or G, displays a very good motor in pursuit and finishes up with a sack. [player_tooltip player_id="186347" first="Jackson" last="Garrett"], 6’4, 265, Archbishop Moeller [player_tooltip player_id="186347" first="Jackson" last="Garrett"] is the 15th ranked DL in the class of 2022 and is currently on the Prep Redzone Watchlist.  In 2021, he helped Archbishop Moeller to a record of 11-4 and advance to the semifinal round of the Division I playoffs.  He plays as a DT.  Against the run, he stacks the G at the point of attack and sheds the block.  He plays with good leverage and delivers a good form tackle to the RB preventing a gain of significant yardage.  Against the pass, he uses his great play strength to bullrush the G into the lap of the QB and gets his hands in the way to deflect the pass. [player_tooltip player_id="129156" first="Sam" last="Buerkle"], 6’4, 250, St. Xavier [player_tooltip player_id="129156" first="Sam" last="Buerkle"] is the 18th ranked DL in the class of 2022 and is currently on the Prep Redzone Watchlist.  In 2021, he helped St. Xavier to a 10-3 record and advance to the 3rd round of the playoffs while holding opposing offenses to 13.6 points per game.  He plays as a DE.  Against the run, he uses his good play strength and hand use to quickly shed the block while keeping his eyes on the RB the whole time.  He delivers a powerful hit behind the LOS for a TFL.  Against the pass, he uses his play strength to bullrush larger, elite OT before shedding the block with his great physical toughness.  He displays good closing speed while in the backfield and sacks the QB with ease. [player_tooltip player_id="186388" first="Hunter" last="Darrah"], 6’6, 250, Buckeye Local [player_tooltip player_id="186388" first="Hunter" last="Darrah"] is the 20th ranked DL in the class of 2022 and is currently on the Prep Redzone Watchlist.  In 2021, he helped Buckeye Local advance to the playoffs and help pitch 2 shutouts.  He plays as a DE.  Against the run, he defeats the block with his very good play strength and shows good leg drive as he delivers a very good form tackle to the RB behind the LOS for a TFL.  Against the pass, he uses his very good lateral quickness and agility to defeat the block of the OT, exhibits very good play speed in pursuit and finishes up with a sack.