SE Michigan 2023 D-Lineman to watch

The players featured are some of SE Michigan’s best under-the-radar defensive linemen to watch in the 2022 season. Laurent Dounamou (2023) | 6’3 250 DT | Taylor Dounamou plays both ways for Taylor and put together a very productive junior season on the defensive line. Good size and a twitchy get-off make Laurent a difficult matchup for opposing offenses. Dounamou compiled 7 sacks, 42 tackles, and 6 tackles for losses in his junior season. Laurent competes in the Downriver Conference and at the Division 1 level in the state playoffs. Listed at a 4.9 40-yard dash time, Laurent Dounamou is certainly a player to watch on the defensive line in the 2022 season. Michael Alexander (2023) | 6’5 315 DT | Trenton Alexander plays both ways for Trenton in the Downriver Conference and was able to put together a productive junior season on both sides of the ball. At 6’5, 315 pounds, Alexander has good speed, violent hands, and is explosive off the ball. Competing at the Division 3 level, Alexander should have a mismatch in the majority of his contests. Expect Alexander to wreak havoc in opposing offensive backfields this coming Fall. [player_tooltip player_id="243401" first="Luke" last="Aniel"] (2023) | 6’3 200 DE | Utica Eisenhower The 6’3, 200-pound DE plays for one of the largest schools in SE Michigan. Aniel has good size, speed, and athleticism which is on display throughout his junior season film. Aniel has a good frame with plenty of room to add weight. He rushes the passer well and has a good motor coming off the edge of the defensive line. Aniel plays in a competitive conference and at the Division 1 level in the state playoffs. Look for Aniel and Utica Eisenhower to make another deep run in the Division 1 state playoffs this Fall. [player_tooltip player_id="234417" first="Messiah" last="Blair"] (2023) 6’7 225 DE | Detroit Martin Luther King [player_tooltip player_id="234417" first="Messiah" last="Blair"] is a long, lengthy, defensive end who can rush the passer and play the run. Blair’s length presents a challenge for opposing offensive linemen because he makes it hard for them to get their hands on him. At 6’7, 225 pounds, [player_tooltip player_id="234417" first="Messiah" last="Blair"] certainly looks the part and has the athletic ability to match. Detroit Martin Luther King is known for producing numerous college football players, and I would expect nothing less from Blair. Look for [player_tooltip player_id="234417" first="Messiah" last="Blair"] and King to make another deep run in the playoffs in 2022. Cade Riddle (2023) 6’3 220 DE | Brighton Riddle plays DE for the division 1 Brighton Bulldogs. At 6’3, 220 pounds, Riddle has the size and speed to play at the next level. Cade can line up inside or outside of the defensive line and has the ability to rush the passer and stop the run. A two-sport athlete, Cade is also on the wrestling team. A versatile athlete on the defensive line, look for Cade Riddle and the Brighton Bulldogs to make another deep run in the Division 1 state playoffs.