2023: Destructive Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To be an elite defensive lineman, you have to be able to put pressure on quarterbacks and hold your gaps in the run game. These four do that and so much more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406872' first='Kahlil' last='Laufau'] || DL || 6'3 || 285 || West High School || 2023 </strong><br>Laufa is an explosive athlete who is a mismatch nightmare for opposing offensive lines. He's a skilled pass rusher who uses his hands and body well to gain leverage against interior linemen. Laufa has a strong bull rush and a mean spin move to take advantage of wide gaps. He can hold his own against double teams vs. the run and still push them back to help collapse the pocket on dropbacks. As a run defender, Laufa does a good job controlling his gap and shedding linemen to make tackles. His combination of power and athleticism are hard to contain.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406882' first='Abraham' last='Johnson'] || 6'3 || 280 || Olympus High School || 2023</strong><br>Johnson is a force to be reckoned with on the inside. With his rare ability to control the middle of the field, he can wreck a game plan by himself. Johnson doesn't give ground to double teams and easily pushes back offensive linemen when faced with a one-on-one matchup. In addition, he does a good job taking on pulling offensive linemen and is a strong tackler. Johnson is an elite athlete, and few at the position can match his combination of strength and quickness. He can chase down running backs from behind and take offensive linemen right into the quarterback's lap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406876' first='Talitui' last='Pututau'] || DL || 6'5 || 225 || West High School || 2023</strong> <br>Pututau is tenacious off the snap and hard to contain for 48 minutes. He can rush from any alignment along the defensive front, where his strength allows him to overpower most offensive linemen. Pututau does an excellent job firing off the ball with good pad level and stays low when engaging with opposing linemen. As a pass rusher, he can go through or around offensive linemen. Against the run, Pututau can shut down rushing lanes and stand up offensive linemen. In addition, he's athletic enough to chase down quarterbacks and played both ways during his time with the Panthers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406894' first='Chase' last='Higham'] || DL || 6'4 || 275 || Mountain Ridge High School || 2023 </strong><br>Higham is an elite pass rusher who can terrorize offense by creating pressure right up the gut. He can line up, head up over centers or beat either guard. Higham is also stout against the run, where he does a good job shutting down rushing lanes. He never takes a play-off and uses his hands well. In addition, He's athletic enough to chase down quarterbacks and running backs when they try to run away from his side. Higham can stand up offensive linemen and wreck an offensive game plan like few players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->