Coach Ferrell’s Notes: 2023 Elite Virginia Defensive Linemen

The changing of the guard has happened now that we have seen so many talented athletes in the Class of 2022 sign to their college of choice for next fall. Now we will take a look at who the next group of elite defensive linemen are within the state of Virginia. [caption id="attachment_289801" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-289801" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/PRZStockGraphic-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /> Photo: Prep Redzone[/caption] &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="290129" first="Joel" last="Starlings"] | 6’5’’ 310 lbs | Benedictine High School Starling is listed as the top Defensive Linemen and the 3rd ranked player overall in the state of Virginia.  He finished the season with 76 total tackles, 17 solo tackles, 62 assisted tackles, 5 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. He committed to the University of Michigan in November, but also had a several other Division 1 offers from James Madison, Oklahoma, Auburn, Virginia, East Carolina, Duke, and North Carolina. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="290134" first="TJ" last="Bush"] | 6’3’’ 250 lbs | Bishop Ireton High School Bush is the 2nd ranked at his position and 13th ranked overall within the state. He earned 1st Team WCAC  All Conference honors in what many consider one of the most competitive high school football conferences in America. He recently committed to Coastal Carolina last month, but also had offers from UNC-Charlotte, Maryland, and Vanderbilt. Not only does he display ferocity, a great motor, and violent hands on the field, but he also shows the same determination in the classroom as he sports a 4.0 GPA. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="290141" first="Miles" last="Greene"] | 6’3’’ 240 lbs | Highland Springs High School Miles Green is our 3rd ranked Defensive Linemen on the list and the 21st overall player in Virginia. He made his mark last season, as a sophomore, by earning 3rd Team All Region honors, and he continued his dominance this past season with 1st Team All State, All Metro, and All Region honors. He is the younger brother of Clemson defensive back Malcolm Greene, and has already received a number of offers from Division 1 programs. He has offers from William and Mary, Virginia, Duke, Liberty, Norfolk State, Marshall, James Madison, West Virginia, Boston College, East Carolina, and Old Dominion. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="148242" first="Qwenton" last="Spellman"] | 6’2’’ 290 lbs | Louisa County High School Spellman comes in as our 4th ranked Defensive Lineman and our 24th ranked player overall. He earned 1st Team All District for the 2nd year in a row. The Louisa County athlete is a star in 2 sports as he also earned 2nd Team District in basketball. He is currently drawing recruiting interest from Wake Forest, Purdue, Coastal Carolina, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Old Dominion, East Carolina, Liberty, North Carolina, Appalachian State, and James Madison. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="290142" first="Elijah" last="Hughes"] | 6’3’’ 250 lbs | Washington- Liberty High School Hughes is the 5th ranked Defensive Lineman and 25th ranked overall player in the state of Virginia. He dominated on the field this past season with 113 tackles, 90 solo tackles, 14.5 sacks, 40 tackles for a loss; and also in the classroom with a 4.1 GPA. He has great athleticism for his size and will be a force coming off of the edge a the next level. He runs a 4.9 40 yard dash, jumps 9’4’’ in the broad jump, and has a 31’ vertical. He was named First Team All Region and First Team All Liberty District as a basketball player. His recruiting is just starting to heat up, but he already had 6 offers from Division 1 programs like  Virginia Tech, Howard University, James Madison, UMass, William and Mary, and Yale.