2025 Spotlight: DL Stars

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Last season, there were plenty of freshman players that got reps on the defensive side of the ball, but there were only a few that stood out, and made a huge difference. This included players at all positions on defense, but the players who managed to rack up a solid sack count, while also making a huge difference in the trenches were the ones who truly caught our eye. Below, we listed a few of the 2025’s classes defensive linemen who have already proven to be young stars for their teams.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Dan’quavious Cummings- Thomson</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Last season, Cummings age was but a number, as he managed to put up solid numbers within varsity competition. In the 11 games he played in, not only was he a versatile part of his team’s defensive line, but he managed to be key in the plenty of pressures that his team was able to put on the opposing QB. Last season, not only did Cummings shine on the DL with plenty of tackles, but he totaled 6 sacks by the end of the season. With this, he also contributed with plenty of tackles in the backfield and in pursuit, which resulted in about 40 yards lost. With this, Cummings, also totaled around 6 QB hurries, which certainly put the opposing passers in plenty of pressured situations as the season went by.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="340539" first="Walter" last="Mathis"] Jr- Calvary Day</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Mathis also found ways to shine last season, which was impressive in itself due to the fact that he was a freshman. By the end of the season, he proved to be able to get off of the ball effectively, and to plug gaps at the DT position with ease. His strength, length, and lower body power allowed him to not only create big stops at the line of scrimmage, but it also helped him to maneuver around offensive linemen. In doing so, Mathis was able to total around 5 sacks, with .4 of them being per game. This only scratches the surface though, as Mathis also totaled around 18-20 hurries and QB pressures within the 13 games he played in last season.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Makhi Williams-Lee- Lakeside</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Even though Williams-Lee is not as well known as the players above have already become, he has still managed to make a name for himself. Last season, Williams-Lee totaled around 4 sacks, and caused plenty of yards to be lost with ball carriers and passers of the football. At the DT position, not only was he a huge factor against the running game, but he was able to use his hands, arms, and length to his advantage when making stops, and tackles in pursuit. While he has plenty to work on when it comes to his technique and motor, we see plenty of upside in his game, and his ability to play high quality football in pressured, and game time situations. His short area quickness and reaction skills have proven to be a big part of his game, and we look forward to see how this helps him to become a star next season.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="321478" first="Elijah" last="Griffin"]- Savannah Christian</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Last season, within a 10 game span, Griffin did his part to make his team better. He not only made tackles in clutch situations, but he proved to have the quickness, and reaction skills necessary to get off of the edge and make tackles on ball carriers. Even despite his raw movement, and underdeveloped, younger frame, he still displayed the ability to wrap up, and bring players to the ground after rolling his hips and causing a slight pop on contact. Griffin also did a good job of reacting to ball carriers, and making plays when necessary, which resulted in his 3.5 sacks as a freshman, and the 5 recorded hurries that he caused.</span>