Taking a look at Pennsylvania’s top 2023 defensive linemen

Our look at the top prospects in the class of 2023 at each position continues today as we take a look at the Keystone State’s top defensive line prospects. The defensive line class in the state is a deep one with 10 of our top 30 prospects being defensive linemen. <strong>DE [player_tooltip player_id="160287" first="James" last="Heard Jr"] (St. Joseph’s Prep)</strong> The 6-foot-2, 225-pound St. Joseph Prep standout is not just the top defensive lineman in the state but also one of the top defensive ends in the entire country. Being recruited by the who’s who of FBS programs, Heard is a player who looks like a true potential game-changer on the edge at the next level. This season with the powerhouse that is St. Joes Prep, Heard racked up 37 tackles including 19.5 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks. Heard primarily plays a standup EDGE rusher for St. Joes Prep but shows a great first step as well as various moves including a nice spin move that allows him to beat opposing offensive linemen. He shows quick hips, allowing him to change direction quickly when tracking down a ball carrier whether it’s in the backfield or the open field. That’s not to mention showing plus traits of agility, speed, vision, and most importantly strong football IQ. Putting that all together, and it’s easy to see why he’s currently our top defensive lineman and one of top 10 players in the class of 2023. <strong>HUDL: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16208267/6171887d3dec060b107f8b92">Junior Season</a> <strong>Projection: </strong>Power Five <strong>DE [player_tooltip player_id="64059" first="Kameron" last="Cheatom"] (Brashear)</strong> A top-20 player in our class regardless of position, Cheatom has a good first step and a quality burst that once in the backfield allows him to consistently get pressure on the quarterback. He’s still a bit raw which could serve as an advantage as a college coaching staff may look at him as an opportunity to form him into the defensive end they want him to be. On top of his first step and initial burst, he shows good agility with the ability to change direction swiftly as a play develops. <strong>HUDL:  </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13452699/618675e0c11a5909544120ff">Full Junior Year</a> <strong>Projection: </strong>Group of Five <strong>/ </strong>Power Five <strong>DE [player_tooltip player_id="27738" first="Ronel" last="Nukah"] (Northeast)</strong> The first thing that stands out is Nukah is already nearly playing at the size that most FBS defensive ends play at the college level, currently standing at 6-foot-3 and 230-pounds. After his size, Nukah shows a nice burst off the ball despite not always having the quickest of first steps. He shows good handwork at the point of attack against offensive linemen as well as the ability to stay low with a bit of bend. Both getting more consistent in his step and bending more will come however as he continues to develop. But overall, Nukah is a disruptive player with St. Joes Prep who with a bit of refinement at the next level has the potential to turn into a high-quality collegiate defensive lineman. <strong>HUDL: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13348340/614ff6e764df48094c729a54">Full Junior Szn Tape</a> <strong>Projection: </strong>Group of Five <strong>DE [player_tooltip player_id="140967" first="Eric" last="Gardner"] Jr. (Archbishop Wood)</strong> Archbishop Wood is stacked in the class of 2023 and Gardner Jr is one of their top standouts. While he doesn’t have an overly great first step or great speed, Garnder Jr is strong when it comes to his hand fighting and making up for any lack of speed with quality technique and still some strong athleticism overall. He plays with a great motor and while the first step and speed are not "elite", they’re still some pretty strong tools overall for the Archbishop Wood standout who had 11 sacks and 30 tackles for a loss this past season. He’s someone who I believe could rise up our rankings in future updates. <strong>HUDL: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11841540/616e057cf560670ac07c5d03">[player_tooltip player_id="140967" first="Eric" last="Gardner"] ’23</a> <strong>Projection: </strong>Group of Five <strong>DE [player_tooltip player_id="66053" first="Jameial" last="Lyons"] (Roman Catholic)</strong> Lyons is a player I’ll personally move up my rankings quite a bit in our next rankings update after reaching his junior tape and talking to some people around the industry. Lyons is a high-upside defensive end with Power Five potential who may still need quite a bit of refinement in some areas but has the size (6-foot-4 and 220-pounds) and length that you look for in a Power Five defensive end and that’s why I think he’ll ultimately end up with a Power Five program down the road. Beyond that size and length, Lyons has a good first step, and quality initial burst. He does need to play with a bit more of a bend but that will be worked on in the future. His agility and athleticism is evident in his HUDL tape, showing the ability to change direction and put his body in the best position to make plays. <strong>HUDL: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16078769/618bfb9e2347b1133c1192b8">Year 3 Tape</a> <strong>Projection: </strong>Power Five