2023 Rankings – Defensive Linemen Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the month of October, we had an update to our prospect rankings. Three weeks ago, we released our first&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2026-rankings/" target="_blank">watch list for the 2026 class</a></strong>. The first rankings for that class will come out in January. Two weeks ago, it was all about the 2025 class. We've updated those rankings to feature the top 75 sophomores in the state. You can check out the full rankings&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2025-rankings/" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>. Last week, we took a look at some of the top juniors in Oklahoma with an update to the 2024 rankings. You can check out the full rankings&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2024-rankings/" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>. This week, we finish up the ranking breakdowns with a look at the 2023 rankings. You can check out the Top 200 Seniors&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2023-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this post, our final ranking breakdown until January, we take a look at some of the top defensive linemen in the state's 2023 class. There is an outstanding balance of guys coming off the edge and then guys that will be clogging up the middle of the line of scrimmage for the next few years. Stay tuned throughout the week for more 2023 prospect breakdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63657a88fff08","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["38797"],"_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":"The first of a pair of Booker T Washington Hornets is defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='38797' first='Amondre' last='Tiger']. We'e been fans of Tiger since his sophomore season. He's not as big as some of the other defensive tackles in this class but it really doesn't matter when you throw on the tape. Or when you check out some of the numbers he has in the weight room. When we got information back about the team this summer and specifically about some of the team's u0022freaksu0022, it was Tiger who was listed as one of the strongest players on the team. He uses that strength and power to outwork opposing offensive linemen and has had a very successful career with the Hornets.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["112479"],"_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":"This season was an absolute roller coaster for defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='112479' first='Chance' last='Jordan']. After starting the year at Beggs, where he was an All State selection a year ago as a junior, Jordan then enrolled at Morris, where he would play out the rest of his senior season. Not matter what Jordan faced off the field, it's when he's on the field that makes him one of the more dominant defensive tackles in the state. Similar to Tiger, Jordan isn't the biggest defensive tackle, but he moves so quick off the ball and has some real strength behind him that it's a problem for opposing offensive linemen. While Jordan might not have the production he had last year, he's still one of the best at his position.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["57208"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The top defensive tackle prospect coming out of the 2023 class is Union DT [player_tooltip player_id='57208' first='De'Marion' last='Thomas']. At least for now. Thomas has been an absolute freak along the line of scrimmage for Union for the last few seasons and he's one of the leaders of a defense that is absolutely loaded at all three levels. And here's what's scary about Thomas moving forward, he's getting better every time he steps on the field. Thomas has shed some weight and trimmed up while keeping that power and explosion that makes him so tough to stop in 1 on 1 situations. Committed to Vanderbilt, Thomas has to be excited about going on to the next level to play in the SEC.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["370224"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The second standout from Booker T Washington is [player_tooltip player_id='370224' first='Elias' last='Sherman']. We knew about the defensive end coming into the season but we have to put our hand up, we didn't see this one coming. As the Hornets go into the playoffs, Sherman is getting close to having 15 sacks on the season. He's been an absolute nightmare for opposing offensive linemen and he's been living in the backfield. It definitely helps that he's playing alongside another solid lineman with [player_tooltip player_id='38797' first='Amondre' last='Tiger'] but the two compliment each other incredibly well. Sherman is definitely a prospect who's stock is going up in a big way after a fantastic senior season and he's not done yet.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["57160"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"A prospect that we've written about and covered since his freshman season is Hilldale lineman [player_tooltip player_id='57160' first='Evan' last='Keefe']. For the first few seasons, we weren't sure what was a better fit for Keefe when it came to being a prospect between the offensive and defensive line. Over the last ten months or so, we've settled in more to the defensive side of the ball because he's an absolute game-wrecker on that side and is so skilled already. Keefe is another 2023 defensive lineman prospect already committed and headed to the next level. He committed to Air Force earlier this year and has remained steady on his pledge to join the Academy to play college football.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["307899"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Another small school standout this year has been Washington defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='307899' first='Hayden' last='Milner']. He's been a prospect that we've watched a lot of over the last 12 months. From film breakdowns to in-person evaluations of Milner at various camps, he's definitely continued to grow and evolve his game. When we look at what he's done this season, he's had to deal with injuries but appears to be getting back to full strength at the perfect time. Washington is one of the favorites to win the Class 2A gold ball after settling for silver the last two seasons. Milner might be a little undersized a defensive end but you can't argue with the production that he's had.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["287377"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"We really try to avoid the word u0022underratedu0022 when breaking down a prospect but we have to use it again here when we talk about Putnam City's [player_tooltip player_id='287377' first='Taje' last='McCoy']. And not only is he underrated, but it's a mystery as to why. McCoy holds several D1 offers, has been on the radar since the end of last season and has been incredibly productive this season for the Pirates. We think the sky is the limit here for McCoy moving forward because he is just scratching the surface on what he can be as a prospect. He's not the biggest prospect at the defensive end position but so far after a few seasons against 6A competition, there hasn't been a single concern about size.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a02745267c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->