Top Interior Defensive Linemen: Class of 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Interior defensive linemen can suffocate a rushing attack and the pocket. These men in the middle get almost no recognition from fans, but their coaches and teammates know their defenses would falter without them. Utah is loaded with defensive tackles who wreck game plans, but these five give offensive coordinators in the state the most trouble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406860' first='Tevita' last='Pome'e'] || Defensive Line || 6'3 || 315 || Layton Christian Academy High School || 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pome'e is a true space eater who is almost impossible to move, even for two offensive linemen. A 6'3 defensive tackle who tosses centers and guards to the side with ease. Pome'e moves extmeley well and is one of the best athletes at his position. No one can move Pome'e one-on-one, and if any interior offensive lineman tires too, they will find themselves in a stalemate or five yards behind the line of scrimmage. With one of the best bull rushes in the state, Pome'e excels at forcing quarterbacks outside the pocket. When Pome'e gains the upper hand on interior lineman, he is smart and will hold his potion until ball carriers make their move. Pome'e is the perfect anchor to any defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406864' first='Howie' last='Longi'] || Defensive Line || 6'2 || 285 || Timpview High School || 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Longi is an explosive gap shooter who has a knack for making big plays in the backfield. The 6'2 defensive tackle may play on a stacked Timpview roster, but he still finds a way to stand out. His energy and passion is evident every time he takes the field. Longi is a bully on the field who can go through or around interior offensive lineman. Typically offensive linemen have a split-second advantage since they know the snap count, but not against Longi. With one of the quickest first steps in the state at his disposal, Longi can get past any offensive lineman at a moment's notice. He may not be the biggest defensive tackle in the state, but anyone that underestimates his strength would be making a huge mistake.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406867' first='Motekiaia' last='Monunga'] || Defensive Line || 6'3 || 250 || Timpview High School || 2023 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monunga can rush from anywhere along the defensive line. Put him on the outside, and his flexibility allows him to bend past offensive tackles. Put him inside, and his power will overwhelm guards and centers. The 6'3 defensive linemen also possess great hands and does a good job defeating the offensive lineman's initial punch. Monunga approaches his pass rushes like a seasoned vet. He has counter moves and often sets offensive linemen up on the outside before getting past them with an inside move. Monunga, much like his Timpview teammate, fires off the ball and can use his strength to be a menace to any offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406872' first='Kahlil' last='Laufau'] || Defensive Line || 6'3 || 285 || Herriman High School || 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laufau is a phenomenal athlete with the sideline-to-sideline quickness you would expect to see on a linebacker and not a 6'3 defensive lineman. As Herriman's anchor on the defensive line Laufau is a powerful force against both the run and the past. He explodes off the ball and on running plays, can make plays in the backfield, plug holes, or chase down running backs from behind. On passing downs, Laufua can go around or through offensive lineman with a few pass rush moves already at his disposal. Also, Laufua is a gap shooter who doesn't often quit to the detriment of opposing offenses.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406876' first='Talitui' last='Pututau'] || Defensive Line || 6'5 || 225 || West High School || 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pututau may not be the heaviest defensive tackle, but he is still one of the strongest. The 6'3 West Panther product is one of the best in the state at stopping the run. Pututau knows his role, and he plays it to perfection. He takes on double teams as well as anyone in the 2023 class and, when left one-on-one, will often come out on top. Pututau is exceptional at holding his position until just the right time and then will disregard opposing linemen and split double teams to create tackles for loss. In addition, he never quits on a play and will often lay on the wood on running backs who cut back inside. Pututau is as tough as they come in the trenches and is a force for West on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->