2023 Stock Rising Defensive Linemen
With the 2023 Rankings dropping, we will take a look at the players who jumped some spots at the defensive line position! We have some true studs on this list who will be on many top lists heading into their…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2023 Rankings dropping, we will take a look at the players who jumped some spots at the defensive line position! We have some true studs on this list who will be on many top lists heading into their senior seasons. Most of these players proved to be game changers and a menace off the ball.
Check out the entire 2023 Rankings HERE!!
Princewill Umanmielen Princewill Umanmielen 6'4" | 220 lbs | DL Manor | 2023 State TX – Manor
Umanmielen will soon see his stock go up! Great frame and hunts down the ball carrier. He is a long athlete with great reach, and shows a good get off on the snap. Umanmielen has a great motor and will chase a play down from the back side and make an impact. He displayed great hand use and effective pass rushing moves. For his junior season, Umanmielen racked up 13 sacks and 25 TFLs.
Trey Wilson Trey Wilson 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Lakeview Centennial | 2023 State TX – Lakeview Centennial
Wilson is a powerful edge rusher who is relentless in his rush. He uses his reach to his advantage to keep big bodies off of him and shows excellent strength when disengaging. Wilson is violent with his rips and will chase a play down from the back regularly. Rarely takes plays off and he is a guy to keep eyes on as he continues to get better.
Billy Walton Billy Walton 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL South Oak Cliff | 2023 State TX – South Oak Cliff
Walton made a name for himself with his physical play and high motor. Has a very good frame with long arms and delivers the blow. Walton showed solid strength by pushing his opposition in the backfield and disengaging from blocks with ease. He can play as a hybrid defender as well, playing in coverage comfortably and still making plays. For his junior campaign, Walton had a very impressive 12 sacks and 21 TFLs. Walton is a star in the making and has drawn much attention recently after helping his team win a state championship. Make sure to have his name written down.
Johnny Bowens Johnny Bowens 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL Judson | 2023 State TX – Judson
The big body A&M commit made the list due to his destructive ways. Bowens made a living in the oppositions backfield. Offensive linemen could not contain Bowens and his strength proved to be too much. He showed good anticipation on plays and had great counter moves on rushes when stalled. Bowens will continue to rise in the ranks as he continues his ways on the field.
MarQuice Hill MarQuice Hill 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Denton Ryan | 2023 State TX – Denton Ryan
Hill is an athletic defender who plays some offensive snaps as well. He shows a great balance of power and speed in his rushes. Hill can bull rush a lineman into the quarterbacks chest, or use his quickness to jump through a gap before the lineman knows what happened. He shows an excellent jump off the ball and a relentless rush until the ball carrier is down. He has the speed to maintain containment even when initially beaten. Hill had 8 sacks and 20 TFLs his junior season. Expect even bigger things from this athlete as he continues to develop his skills.
Samu Taumanupepe Samu Taumanupepe 6'3" | 380 lbs | DL Atascocita | 2023 State TX – Atascocita
Big man Taumanupepe is just a menace on the field. He earned a spot on the list due to his destructive play on the line. He is a plug in the interior line, a true unmovable force and makes players look like toys. Taumanupepe’s strength and drive are something to see. He does not allow himself to be blocked for long, showing very good hands in disengaging and once he has a player in his grasp, its game over. Taumanupepe controls the inside and there is no way around it. He is most definitely a play to keep tabs on heading into his senior season.
Garrett Finley Garrett Finley 6'0" | 215 lbs | DL Colleyville Heritage | 2023 TX – Colleyville Heritage
18 sacks on the season is something special and Finley looked impressive doing it! He is a quick edge defender with great get off and uses his speed to blow by offensive tackles. Finley did most of his damage with his inside moves where he flashed his quickness and motor in chasing down quarterbacks. He showed good hips as well on his rushes to get by bigger linemen. His play recognition and pursuit will continue to be a strong part of his game as he continues to develop into a top rusher in the state.