Checking in on the Top 5 Defensive Linemen in the Class of 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How have the top dogs in 2023 been performing? Spoiler alert: they've all been balling out. These 5 seniors have earned recognition in being the best of the best in the state, and all are set to play Division 1 Football. This article will outline how each of the top 5 DL have been performing so far this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6329cd12adb9b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["162650"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"As expected, [player_tooltip player_id='162650' first='Jalen' last='Thompson'] has been an absolute monster so far this season against Michigan's best. The Michigan State commit had himself a well-documented great game against Detroit MLK, and will undoubtedly continue to dominate against Cass Tech's future opponents.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BallySportsDET/status/1570966754561597442","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BallySportsDET/status/1570966754561597442 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6329d06aadb9d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["30319"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Thompson isn't the only D-Lineman who balled out during the Detroit u0022City Super Bowlu0022. Merriweather has proven to be a leader for this King team, even getting involved in the offense with a receiving TD vs Cass Tech. He's a tall DE with a knack for the football, and even though I don't have many stats on hand from this season, he made his name known last season and that's why he's committed to Iowa.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BallySportsDET/status/1570936153527975936","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BallySportsDET/status/1570936153527975936 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6329d29badb9e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["226712"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"I'm heavily impressed by Muragin's performance thus far, and I think Illinois have themselves an absolute steal. He brought his game to a new level against Muskegon and their supposed elite offensive line, totaling 2 sacks, 4 TFLs, and an offensive TD.rnrnI haven't seen much about his games against U-D, Brother Rice, etc, but I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do against the rest of the Catholic League, as well as River Rouge u0026amp; the postseason.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/athlazon_/status/1566188175734853638","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/athlazon_/status/1566188175734853638 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6329da26adb9f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["322235"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Eryx is an imposing force on the defensive line, and he's been playing extremely well lately.rnrnAgainst Dakota, he caused many issues for their offensive line, and he recovered a fumble. Last week against De La Salle, Eryx was a crucial part of that team win. He's bigger than most on this list at 6'4 285, and he uses that size to his advantage. Brother Rice is a state championship contender, and please don't tell me otherwise, and Eryx is a critical piece to their puzzle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["243394"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Speed and ferocity are the words that come to mind when I watch [player_tooltip player_id='243394' first='Luke' last='Fletcher'] play. As I noted, speed is the name of his game. Whether he's lined up on the edge or inside, he beats linemen with his get-off and speed moves.  16 Tackles and 6TFLs through 3 weeks isn't bad. Check out more of the EMU commit's film below.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/fletchzilla09/status/1569353422326960131","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/fletchzilla09/status/1569353422326960131 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->