A Look at the Class of 2023: DL

With 17 Defensive Linemen in the Prep Redzone Rankings for the class of 2023, it is easy to see that there is a great abundance of talent at the position. Here are five very talented Defensive Linemen from the class of 2023 looking to have a great Senior season in the fall. <strong>Sidikiba Kaba</strong>, 6’3, 260, KIPP Columbus Sidikiba Kaba is the 4th ranked DL and the 20th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. In 2021, he helped the KIPP Columbus Jaguars to a 7 win season, held opposing offenses to 19.6 points per game and advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs. He is a versatile player who plays all over the Defensive Line. Against the run, he shows very good burst off the ball and uses his outstanding football intelligence to quickly key and diagnose the play. He shows excellent explosiveness as he delivers a powerful hit to the RB behind the LOS for a TFL. Against the pass, he uses his very good play strength to defeat the OL block, displays a good motor and play speed in pursuit before finishing up with a sack. [player_tooltip player_id="284432" first="Kamari" last="Burns"], 6’4, 245, Gahanna Lincoln [player_tooltip player_id="284432" first="Kamari" last="Burns"] is the 5th ranked DL and the 21st ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. In 2021, he helped the Gahanna Lincoln Lions to a 7 win season, advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs and held opposing offenses to 15.3 points per game. He plays as a  DE. Against the run, he fires out low and uses his outstanding play strength to shed the block. He exhibits good play speed in pursuit and delivers a powerful hit behind the LOS for a TFL. Against the pass, he uses his excellent burst and takes long strides as he wins the outside shoulder of the DE. He demonstrates a very good motor in pursuit of the QB and finishes up easily with a sack. [player_tooltip player_id="284431" first="Dalton" last="Gustwiller"], 6’5, 270, Fairmont [player_tooltip player_id="284431" first="Dalton" last="Gustwiller"] is the 8th ranked DL and the 52nd ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. In 2021, he helped the Fairmont Firebirds to a 6 win season and held opposing offenses to 13.7 points per game. He plays as a DT. Against the pass, he is quick off the ball, shows very good play strength and use of hands to shed the block from the OG and exhibits good closing speed in pursuit of the QB before finishing up with a sack. Against the run, he is very strong at the point of attack as he stacks the OG at the LOS. He quickly locates the RB before delivering a powerful hit preventing significant yardage gained. [player_tooltip player_id="189493" first="Deandre" last="Woolens"], 6’2, 260, Withrow [player_tooltip player_id="189493" first="Deandre" last="Woolens"] is the 9th ranked DL and the 58th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. In 2021, he helped the Withrow Tigers to a 9 win season and held opposing offenses to just 5 points per game. He plays as a DT. Against the pass, he shows very good play strength and physical toughness to shed the OG block with ease. He takes good angles in pursuit of the QB before finishing with a sack. Against the run, he shows good use of hands as he sheds the block, plays at a very good pad level and delivers a great form tackle at the LOS. [player_tooltip player_id="284308" first="Jakob" last="Williams"], 6’0, 210, Hilliard Darby [player_tooltip player_id="284308" first="Jakob" last="Williams"] is the 17th ranked DL and is currently on the Prep Redzone Watchlist for the class of 2023. In 2021, he helped the Hilliard Darby Panthers to an 8 win season, held opposing offenses to 19.1 points per game and advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs. He plays as a DE. Against the run, he quickly penetrates the LOS into the backfield and displays good athletic ability and leverage to bring the RB down in the backfield for a TFL. Against the pass, he shows good burst off the ball and &nbsp; &nbsp;