Names to Know: Eight 2023 Defensive Linemen

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The team that controls the offensive line has the upper hand when it comes to controlling the game. Super Bowl LVI was a testament to the importance of having a dominant defensive front, proof that the defensive line is the most vital part of that side of the ball.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The eight players listed below are all must-know athletes who play on the defensive line and fill the role of edge-rusher, interior lineman, or both. </span> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="62241" first="Blake" last="Purchase"] | Cherry Creek | 6’4”, 225lbs</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Purchase is one of the nation’s more electrifying high school players to watch. He checks every box as a player and a recruiting prospect who possesses the potential to become a future legend. Purchase is the number one-ranked player in the class who currently holds 16 Division I offers.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/BlakePurchase/status/1471577804412178443?s=20&t=gwPaj--ZvXZkXmsEi_Hg9g[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="189119" first="Brody" last="Bliek"] | Valor Christian | 6’3”, 265lbs</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Bliek is a player who brings disruptive power to a defensive front. He has great strength and technique, making him a top-notch interior lineman. Bliek is the fifth-ranked DL and a relentless pursuer and sure tackler with the versatility to play from anywhere on the line.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/BliekBrody/status/1456013942455554049?s=20&t=gwPaj--ZvXZkXmsEi_Hg9g[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="149330" first="Mulumba" last="Wa-kalonji"] | Grandview | 6’3”, 205lbs</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Wa-kalonji started to show up on the radar during his sophomore year and has continued to raise his stock. He is a high-motor player who brings speed off the edge and versatility in the pressure scheme. Wa-kalonji is the sixth-ranked DL who is on track to have a spectacular senior season.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/mulumba_w/status/1471921058961711107?s=20&t=gwPaj--ZvXZkXmsEi_Hg9g[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="247220" first="Dominic" last="Butts"] | Severence | 6’4”, 227lbs</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Butts is a radar pop-up with serious potential as a sleeper. He has a big frame, relentless pursuit abilities, and great strength. He also shows flashes of dominant interior line skills, giving him plug-and-play potential. Butts is the eighth-ranked DL whose stock value is sure to rise this year.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/dominic_Butts55/status/1467177386471047177?s=20&t=gwPaj--ZvXZkXmsEi_Hg9g[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="303219" first="Hunter" last="Lay Jr"] | Mullen | 6’3”, 210lbs </b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Lay Jr is an athletic player with a quick twitch off the ball and very impressive speed. He has fast hands and shows good strength and technique when locking out and disengaging from blockers. Lay Jr is a physical player who currently holds offers from three DI programs, making him a must-know athlete.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/HunterLay13/status/1460666965752700933?s=20&t=gwPaj--ZvXZkXmsEi_Hg9g[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="303218" first="Russ" last="Woodward"] | Evergreen | 6’6”, 240lbs</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Woodward will be entering his senior year with quite a bit of popularity as a college prospect. He is quick off the ball and has a powerful base with lengthy arms. Woodward initiates contact with bad intentions at the point of attack, one of the many reasons to keep an eye on him this fall.</span> <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12802273/619d585a7bddaf05502cb8a5’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12802273/619d585a7bddaf05502cb8a5" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="209842" first="Ethan" last="Bird"] | Littleton | 6’3”, 195lbs</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Bird is another edge player who brings impeccable athleticism to the line. He is quick off the ball and has fast hands and disruptive playmaking abilities. Bird is the 16th-ranked DL who has good speed and an unwavering work ethic, giving him significant potential as a recruiting.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/_Ethan_Bird13/status/1500329398389596160?s=20&t=gwPaj--ZvXZkXmsEi_Hg9g[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="303220" first="Jude" last="Marino"] | George Washington | 6’1”, 225lbs</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Marino is a low flyer on the radar with serious potential. He has great strength and power off the ball that are complemented by his explosive downhill movements. Marino shows versatility in his playing style, making him a potential option to play from the interior.</span> <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15916383/6185ce75478d6106b0a05288’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15916383/6185ce75478d6106b0a05288" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a>