Prep Redzone All- State First Team: Defensive Lineman
In this article:
Check out the best players in the strongest position group in the state!
Highlights
Grady is one of the country's best defensive prospects and was a no-brainer for the list. With an elite first step, he creates instant advantages on the line of scrimmage. Then, once opposing linemen are on their heels, Grady can win with speed to power. With a lengthy wingspan, he can work the long arm and bullrush effectively or use his strength to shred blocks at the point of attack. When he does get rid of the blockers, Grady's shows excellent closing speed in the backfield and finishes plays consistently in the open field. As one of the youngest on the list, Grady stands as an upper-echelon blue-chip prospect who will be a major player in the 2025 recruiting cycle.
Highlights
Crawford is an interior lineman who can change the game. Though he's a mountain mover who can drive guys out the way, use hand placement to stand up linemen, or shred at the point of attack, the big fella can move. Crawford is exceptionally agile for his size. He can shoot gaps, create instant pressure as a rusher with his first step, and even run down plays beyond his area. Statistically, Crawford's production is staggering, considering he's primarily used as an interior rusher. With more sacks than full-time edge rushers and more tackles for loss than most linebackers Crawford is an example of numbers not lying.
Smith is one of the more sought-after recruits in the 2023 class, and rightly so. While making an argument for being the best defensive prospect in the country, Smith dominated matchups weekly and proved his five-star ranking every time he laced them up. While being extremely physical at the point of attack,
a mature frame allows him to work through blocks with impunity. This grown man strength enabled him to be an anchor in the and a serious rusher in the interior. Though he's a bull in a china shop, Smith showed he could win with his get-off and short-distance burst. With an uncanny quick twitch/ explosive athleticism for his size Smith was in the backfield finishing plays, running guys down, and even being a disruptor to passing lanes when jumping up to bat passes.
Woods is a rare lineman that can dominate the game from the inside or outside. As one of the best defensive players in the country, he was a constant thorn in the side of QBs and offensive coordinators. The Clemson commit is explosive off the line of scrimmage and can win with his first step or finesse moves to keep himself clean when on the way to the QB. He's also highly nuanced with his hand movement and seems to always keep himself clean in the phone booth. Woods also delivers elite speed on edge. His uncanny ability to run down speedier ball carriers, force guys out of bounds, or make plays 10-15 yards beyond his original spot shows his athleticism and football character.
