Names to Know: Eight 2023 Defensive Linemen
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
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.
Blake Purchase Blake Purchase 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Cherry Creek | 2023 State CO | Cherry Creek | 6’4”, 225lbs
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.
Full Junior Season!🃏https://t.co/eVRKVcjlUy @CCNextLevelFB
— Blake Purchase🃏 (@BlakePurchase) December 16, 2021
Brody Bliek Brody Bliek 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL Valor Christian | 2023 State CO | Valor Christian | 6’3”, 265lbs
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.
Check out my Regular Season Junior Highlights Games 1-10 on @Hudl at – https://t.co/FBRNLDVo6Y thank you @donnieyantis @tmoore7533 @GoValorFootball
— Brody Bliek (@BliekBrody) November 3, 2021
Mulumba Wa-kalonji Mulumba Wa-kalonji 6'3" | 200 lbs | DL Grandview | 2023 State CO | Grandview | 6’3”, 205lbs
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.
Full Junior Season!📸 https://t.co/GvPi6W7dB8
— Mulumba “MoMo” Wa-kalonji (@mulumba_w) December 17, 2021
Dominic Butts Dominic Butts DL Severance | 2023 State CO | Severence | 6’4”, 227lbs
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.
Junior Season Highlights: https://t.co/TrWFqhnQUQ
14.5 sacks | 25 TFL | 43 solo tackles|
2 fumble recoveries | 1 PD— Dominic Butts (@dominic_butts55) December 4, 2021
Hunter Lay Jr Hunter Lay Jr 6'3" | DL Mullen | 2023 State CO | Mullen | 6’3”, 210lbs
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.
@ceddy_payne @jrbennet @mikeharrell404 @_MullenFootball https://t.co/6sYIDNcf37
— hunter lay (@HunterLay13) November 16, 2021
Russ Woodward Russ Woodward 6'6" | 240 lbs | DL Evergreen | 2023 State CO | Evergreen | 6’6”, 240lbs
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.
Ethan Bird Ethan Bird 6'3" | 190 lbs | DL Littleton | 2023 State CO | Littleton | 6’3”, 195lbs
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.
Ethan Bird
C/O 23
40-4.68
Squat 405 deadlift 435
All League 1st DE
Ethan Bird
PO-DE/TE/LS
Junior stats
43TKLs 30Solo 10Sacks 1INTTD 5TFLs
5 Rec 117yd 1 RecTD 19.8YPC
TE Highlights https://t.co/pMXjaz5IpcDE highlights https://t.co/5SvgZcWvBm
— Ethan Bird (@_Ethan_Bird13) March 6, 2022
Jude Marino Jude Marino 6'1" | 225 lbs | DL George Washington | 2023 State CO | George Washington | 6’1”, 225lbs
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.