Unranked Series: Defensive Line

The unranked series continues as we transition across the line of scrimmage to defensive prospects, starting with the defensive line. This is one of the deepest positions in the state when it comes to the 2023 class, with 25 high end prospects currently ranked in the PRZ rankings. Here are four more defensive linemen loaded with potential, that have a chance to become dominant prospects as seniors this fall. <strong>Matthew Hyde – Andover High School, 6’1 260</strong> There are defensive linemen that can control a gap, and then there are defensive linemen like Matthew Hyde, (pictured above) that simply rain down devastation and clean it out. The aspect of his game that immediately stands out is a havoc-wreaking lateral step that he can hit in a blink, putting opposing linemen in recovery position right off the snap, thanks to a violent and low get-off, which allows him to be shoulder to shoulder with blockers before they can set. Hyde also has excellent lean and speed to power conversion, which allows him to negate reach disadvantages by firing into his opponents chest with a devastating bull rush that was simply unstoppable at times last season. His explosion also shows up when he closes on ball carriers, delivering some bone crushing hits in the backfield. Hyde flashed good instincts, showing the ability to ‘see through’ blockers and track down the ball carrier. He also has a naturally low center of gravity, and because he can win quickly off the snap, he does a good job stacking and maintain favorable position in his gap. Additionally, thanks to his wrestling background, he routinely continues to drive his legs through contact, and stays extremely active while engaged with blockers. On the occasion he is out leveraged, he shows ideal tenacity, and will scrap his way through blocks and hustle to the ball. <strong>Jessie Gunter – Wichita East High School, 6’4 225</strong> With anacondas for arms, excellent agility and a sneaky explosive closing burst, Gunter has the raw tools of a complete defensive lineman that can be both an edge setting machine and a legitimate pass rush threat. Gunter is a physical specimen, and when things line up for him, his immense potential jumps off the screen. In run defense, Gunter does an excellent job maintaining control on the edge with tremendous reach and balance, and flashed very good upper body strength, which allows him to stack and shed blocks with authority. When his core strength catches up with his upper body strength and he can better absorb contact, he should be able to consistently lock blockers out of his body without giving up ground. Gunter has impressive lower body flexibility, and flashes a violent closing burst, allowing him to efficiently drop his pads, and explode through contact with the ball carrier. There are flashes of violent hands in Gunter’s tape, especially when his pads don’t go up, and when comes off the snap with purpose, he shows he can completely overwhelm his blocker. Additionally, and again dependent on pad level, there are flashes of lateral twitch to Gunter’s game. This should become more prevalent as his hands and feet more consistently work in unison, and when it all comes together for him, Gunter has the chance to be a force of nature as an inside pass rusher or as a 5-tech at the next level. <strong>Easton Routh – Augusta High School, 6’3 180</strong> Easton Routh is a prospect that passes the eyeball test, with very good length and plenty of room to add muscle to his frame. As he continues through his development, the Augusta product has every chance to make a big jump from his junior to senior year, with a variety of physical tools that are a precursor of what’s to come from him. The screen jumper when turning on Routh’s film is his excellent natural bend and leverage. Not too many 6’3 defensive end prospects bend their knees so effortlessly, consistently getting up and under his blocker right off the snap, while flashing legitimate speed to power to boot. In addition, Routh possesses an explosive upper body, showing the strength to violently shed when he wins quickly off the snap, as well as rip down ball carriers in their tracks. Routh also shows solid eye discipline for his position, remaining patient while plays develop and tracking the ball carrier without taking false steps. His motor will endear him to coaches at the next level, as he doesn’t quit on plays and routinely chases down ball carriers down the field. When he adds some substantiality to his frame and gains some core and lower body strength, Easton Routh should take his game to the next level, and become an in-demand prospect during his senior year. <strong>Adrian Elsen – Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, 6’0 255</strong> As soon as the ball was snapped for the first play of Elsen’s highlight reel, immediately evident is a very well-proportioned and well-developed frame for a 6’0 interior DL prospect north of 250 pounds. He also shows tremendous ease of movement for his position, possessing impressively quick and coordinated feet. This allows him to routinely cross the face of his blockers before they can set, as well as smoothly accelerate to track down ball carriers across the line of scrimmage. Coupled with a naturally low center of gravity and strong core to absorb contact, he is extremely difficult to take off his feet, making him a highly reliable gap controller in the run game. Moreover, Elsen has considerable potential as an interior pass rusher, flashing some legitimate quick twitch in his lateral movement. If he can continue to develop his hand usage, he will be living in his opponents’ backfields all season long this fall. Elsen only played in 8 games last season but should feature heavily for the Cougars defense this fall. As a junior in high school, his frame and core strength are developed beyond their years, suggesting he lives in the weight room, which will make him an attractive prospect for college coaches, as he’ll be able to mix it up in the trenches at the next level from day one. &nbsp;