2023 Superlatives: Top Game-Wrecking Defenders In Atlanta-Area

If you want to have a dominant defense, it’s important to have a defensive lineman who can wreck the running game. A guy who can get off the ball quickly and get into the backfield. Someone who can disrupt the run while also getting after the passer. It’s a rare player to have, but if you have one, it can be easier to game-plan for any particular offense. Here are a few impressive defenders who lived in the backfield last fall... &nbsp; <strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kayden-mcdonald/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="34064" first="Kayden" last="McDonald"]</span></a> – DL </strong> The best overall player on a talented North Gwinnett team, McDonald dominated week in and week out last fall as a junior, proving he’s one of the biggest difference makers on the interior of any defensive line prospect in the state.  He’s a thick, powerful 6-foot-3 330-pound interior lineman with impressive quickness for his size. You don’t normally see interior defensive linemen towards the top of the sack leaders in the state, but that’s how good McDonald was this past season, playing against some of the best competition in the state. The dominant defensive tackle had a record seven sacks against South Forsyth in the playoffs last season, showing he can be an absolute game-changer there. He’s quick off the ball and moves like a cat for his size. He plays with leverage and it’s easy to see his strength and raw power when he’s running through opposing offensive linemen in the trenches. McDonald had 20 sacks, 2nd most in the 2023 class, and 15 more QB hurries to go along with an incredible 62 TFLs. Look for him to dominate once again this upcoming fall. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11475837/61f441ef2348b30f08a36575 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11475837/61f441ef2348b30f08a36575">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11475837/61f441ef2348b30f08a36575</a> &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=dbf08572-910a-45ba-a014-04e34aa28dcc&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3"><span class="first-name">Javeon</span> Miller </a> – Creekside</strong> The Creekside Seminoles had an incredible 2021 season this past fall and they have plenty of D1 talent on the roster. One of them is junior pass-rusher <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=dbf08572-910a-45ba-a014-04e34aa28dcc&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3"><span class="first-name">Javeon</span> Miller</a> who terrorized QBs all season so far. Miller’s size won’t blow you away, but he just has a knack for getting into the backfield. He’s lined up against some quality offenses last season, but nobody was been able to stop him. Miller has found the QB 22 times as a junior. He’s as productive as it gets and uses his quick hands and feet to get around bigger tackles. Look for Miller to be one of the state’s leading sack artists once again next season. He also showed he can dominate against the run, making 25 TFLs, proving he’s one of the biggest playmakers behind the line of scrimmage across Georgia. &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=f6956b41-5283-4cb4-bda9-3773e6895086&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3"><span class="first-name">Zachariah</span> Keith</a> – Douglass County </strong> One of the top pass-rushers across Georgia in the 2023 class last year, Keith got to the QB 14 times last year, but he also showed that he can help in the run game as well. He’s extremely long with a great frame at 6-foot-6 245-pounds and knows how to hold the edge against the run while also proving to be an impact pass rusher. He’s strong at the point of attack, gets in the backfield in a hurry, and can get down the line in pursuit of the ball carrier. He has size, quickness, and enough production to earn some D1 interest down the road. He also made over 100 tackles on the season, showing he’s one of the most productive defenders who lived in the backfield last fall. &nbsp; <strong>Tyler Walton – North Gwinnett</strong> One of the most underrated defenders across the state, Walton is a big-time playmaker off the edge at 6-foot-4 230-pounds who was tough to stop all season for opposing defenses. He was a QBs worst nightmare last season as a junior, totaling 48 tackles, 8 sacks, 17 TFLs, 3 Forced fumbles, 4 recovered, and 5 PBUs for the North Gwinnett Bulldogs. There’s plenty of D1 talent on their roster and Walton is one of them. His recruitment is just now starting to take off, but his stock continues to grow as more college coaches check out what he did last season. He went up against some of the best competition in Georgia and showed quickness off the ball, strong hands, and great pursuit of the QB. He’s long, athletic, and can absolutely play at the D1 level. There’s a lot to like about his game and he is one of the best returning defenders in the region for the 2022 season.