STOCK RISERS: Top West Georgia Defensive Linemen To Know

It’s tough to find another state that turns out impressive defensive linemen the way the peach state does. Plenty of Georgia natives on the defensive line go on to do great things not only at the college level, but in the NFL as well. One area of Georgia, West Georgia, continues to pump out elite defenders each and every year. Here are some of the top West Georgia defensive linemen to know for the 2022 season... &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="165709" first="Darron" last="Reed"] - Carver </strong> One of the top overall defensive linemen across Georgia in the 2023 class, Reed is a versatile lineman who can line up on the EDGE or inside. He’s extremely quick off the snap and can be too explosive for interior offensive linemen to handle. He terrorized linemen all season as a junior last year and it led to offers from Auburn, LSU, Miami, Texas A&amp;M, among others. His film shows how dominant he can be as he made tackle after tackle in the backfield all season. His versatility makes him stand out over most defenders in the state as he can get after the quarterback from multiple spots along the line. At 6-foot-5 260-pounds, he can overpower smaller offensive lineman and his quickness off the ball makes him hard to handle for even the best linemen in the area. He consistently flashes big-play potential and he’s going to make one school very lucky when it’s time for him to make a commitment. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="327228" first="Sam" last="Williams"] – Callaway</strong> One of the better defensive line prospects in West Georgia, the Callaway standout from Hogansville is a strong defender with plenty of size at 6-foot-3 260-pounds and is one of the more versatile defensive linemen in the area. A recent Wake Forest commitment, Williams has easy D1 talent with an opportunity to dominate as a senior this fall for one of the best programs in West Georgia. Williams is able to line up on the edge but can be moved inside as well. He’s an excellent run defender and uses his hands well to get off blocks and get to the ball carrier. He does his job each and every play, and his effort and productivity could lead to possible early playing time in Winston Salem in 2023. Overall, he’s a stout linemen who does the little things correctly. He’s so tough to block, and he does a great job of closing running lanes. He’s strong, physical, and will be a force once again as a senior in 2022. &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=f6956b41-5283-4cb4-bda9-3773e6895086&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3"><span class="first-name">Zachariah</span> Keith</a> – Douglass County </strong> One of the top pass-rushers across Georgia in the 2023 class last year, the Douglas County defender got to the QB 14 times last year, proving to be one of the most impactful EDGE defenders in all of West Georgia. He also showed he can help against the run, setting the edge and doing a good job of not letting the opposing running back get outside of the tackle. The Georgia Tech commitment has a long frame at 6-foot-6 245-pounds, so it’s easy to see why he dominated at times against smaller offensive linemen. He’s strong at the point of attack, gets in the backfield in a hurry, and can get down the line in pursuit of the ball carrier. He has size, quickness, and enough production to earn possible early playing time in Atlanta. He made over 100 tackles last season as a junior, and he has a chance to improve upon that as a senior in 2022. &nbsp; <strong><a class="player-name js-profile-link" href="https://www.hudl.com/athlete/12971892">Jordan Cardentey - Carrollton</a></strong> One of the top under the radar defensive linemen in West Georgia for the 2024 class, Cardenty is a strong, stout interior defensive lineman at 6-foot-1 295-pounds who is coming off an impressive sophomore season for the powerful Carrollton Trojans. He’s quick off the ball and can wreck a play in the backfield if not double-teamed. He uses his hands well, plays with leverage, and he’s only getting better. IT’s tough to make a name for yourself at a young age at a strong program like Carrollton, but Cardentey made it happen with an impactful 2021 season. He’s excellent against the run and shows good pursuit to the ball carrier. He sheds blocks, clogs the running lanes, and made plenty of tackles in the backfield. He shows a good motor and he’s expected to have another giant season as a junior this fall. As he continues to develop, add more mass, and gain more experience, the two-sport standout could see some D1 interest come his way later this year.