Stockrisers: 2025 DL prospects in Kentucky to watch for

After a sensational season of high school football in the Bluegrass State last year, it's time to look back at some of the most impressive and explosive performers as the offseason continues. After breaking down some intriguing running back prospects, it's time to jump back to the defensive side of the ball. Today, we will be evaluating a list of talented defensive lineman that made their presence known on the field this past year. Here's my list of the top 2025 defensive lineman prospects in Kentucky to watch for next season.    [player_tooltip player_id='373801' first='Jace' last='Hatfield'], a 6-foot-1, 260-pound defensive lineman out of Corbin High School, was a major playmaker for the Redhounds' defense during his junior season of high school football last year. In 15 contests, Hatfield was one of the more explosive tacklers on the team, recording 67 total tackles, including 38 solo stops, 29 assisted takedowns, three tackles for loss and one sack. Corbin closed out the season with a 15-1 overall record and a first place finish in 4A District 7 with a 3-0 record. What makes Hatfield such a threat on the defensive line is his size, speed and versatility. The rising junior out of Corbin, KY. also contributes excellent toughness as he can muscle through the offense, apply pressure and make stops. Hatfield will definitely be an intriguing player on the defensive side to keep an eye on this upcoming season.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12982386/64284f1b0dca9c0064a71873">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373034' first='Xsavier' last='Cleary'], a 6-foot-1, 290-pound defensive lineman out of Paducah Tilghman High School, was one of the most significant pieces of the Blue Tornadoes' defense during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 13 games, Cleary was the fourth-best tackler on the team, recording 58 total tackles, including 30 solo stops, 28 assisted takedowns, 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Paducah Tilghman closed out the 2022 campaign with a 6-7 overall record and a 2-1 finish in 3A District 1. With solid size, speed and toughness, Cleary is a challenge to contain. Cleary can quickly muscle his way past the offensive line and apply pressure on the quarterback, and has proven he can also make important stops. The rising junior out of Paducah, KY. will be an intriguing defensive lineman prospect to watch more closely next season.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14432766/61af85f96655be0384080791">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='735671' first='Dillon' last='Smith'], a 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive lineman out of Ryle High School, played a crucial role in the Raiders' defensive efforts during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 12 contests, Smith was one of the most efficient tacklers on the roster, recording 58 total tackles, including 17 solo stops, 41 assisted takedowns, 18.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Smith additionally recovered one fumble for 42 yards. Ryle finished the season with a 6-6 overall record and a 2-1 finish in 6A District 6. What makes Smith such a weapon on the defensive end is his size, speed and versatility. Smith showed off his ability to muscle his way past the offensive line, consistently apply heavy pressure and find success when blitzing the quarterback. The rising junior out of Union, KY. will be an intriguing defensive lineman prospect to watch in the 2023 campaign.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JqTTJ">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='735672' first='Griffin' last='Tucker'], a 6-foot-2, 225-pound defensive lineman out of South Oldham High School, was among some of the more impressive playmakers on the Dragons' defense during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 13 games, Tucker became one of the most reliable tacklers on the roster, finishing the season with 56 total tackles, including 27 solo stops, 29 assisted takedowns, 16 tackles for loss and six sacks. South Oldham finished the season with a 8-5 overall record and a first place finish in 5A District 4 with a 4-0 record. The rising junior out of Crestwood, KY. contributes excellent size, speed and toughness. Last season, Tucker showed off his ability to quicky adapt to the play, apply pressure on the quarterback and consistently keep the offense behind the line of scrimmage. Tucker will certainly be an interesting defensive lineman prospect to keep an eye on this upcoming season.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16380742/632f889bf55fc10df419081f">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373821' first='Austin' last='Alexander'], a 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive lineman out of Cooper High School, was a huge defensive gamechanger for the Jaguars during his sophomore stint of high school football last year. In 11 contests last season, Alexander was the second-best tackler on the team, picking up 85 total tackles, including 54 solo stops, 31 assisted takedowns, two tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Alexander additionally hauled in an interception and returned it to the house for an 18-yard score. Cooper closed out the 2022 campaign with a 6-5 overall record and a 2-2 finish in 5A District 5. Alexander contributes great size, speed and toughness to the defensive line, showing off his ability to consistently escape coverage, quickly pressure on the quarterback, and make important stops. The rising junior out of Union, KY. is definitely a defensive performer to focus on this upcoming season.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15530685/61b6859b5ef6e90b34b23270">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373076' first='Tre' last='Jackson'], a 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive lineman out of Mayfield High School, made more than a few significant contributions to the Cardinals' defense during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 14 games, Jackson was one of the most impressive tacklers on the team, recording 46 total tackles, including 24 solo stops, 22 assisted takdowns, three tackles for loss and two sacks. Jackson additonally recovered one fumble. Mayfield finished the 2022 season with a 15-1 overall record and a first place finish in 2A District 1 with a 4-0 record. What makes Jackson such a reliable performer on the defensive line is his size, speed and ability to adapt to the play. Jackson is a difficult player to contain for long as he can easily escape coverage, pressure the quarterback and make important stops. Jackson will be an interesting defensive lineman prospect to watch next season.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/16313908/6394a066386524093cc89ef3">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='735674' first='George' last='Black'], a 6-foot-0, 240-pound defensive lineman out of Louisville Central High School, was a significant defensive contributor for the Yellow Jackets during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 12 games last season, Black put up 41 total tackles, including 40 solo stops, one assisted takedown and two sacks. Louisville Central finished the season with a 9-5 overall record and a first place finish in 4A District 4 with a 4-0 record. In addition to his excellent size and speed, Black adds major explosiveness to the Yellow Jackets' defensive line, showcasing his ability to consistently escape coverage, apply heavy pressure on the quarterback and make commanding stops. The rising junior out of Louisville, KY. will definitely be an interest defensive lineman prospect to keep an eye on this upcoming season.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JywQ7">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='735620' first='Taveon' last='Kirby'], a 6-foot-2, 278-pound defensive lineman out of Madison Central High School, played a big role on the Indians' defense during his sophomore stint of high school football last year. In 13 contests, Kirby was one of the strongest tacklers on the team, recording 38 total tackles, including 11 solo stops, 27 assisted takedowns, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Madison Central closed out the 2022 campaign with a 9-4 overall record and a 2-1 finish in 6A District 8. With great size, speed and toughness, Kirby is a consistent and reliable performer on the defensive side of the ball. The rising junior out of Richmond, KY. has excellent awareness and versatility, adapting to the pace of the game. Kirby also showcased his explosiveness last season, quickly escaping the offensive line to apply pressure, and make impactful stops. Kirby will definitely be worth watching on the field next season.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17507615/6382e10d5b3cd113c47c71e6">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='735670' first='LeQuon' last='Greer'], a 6-foot-1, 240-pound defensive lineman out of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, was one of the most efficient defensive players on the Bulldogs' roster during his sophomore stint of high school football last year. In 12 games, Greer recorded 38 total tackles, including 20 solo stops, 18 assisted takedowns, three tackles for loss and one sack. Paul Laurence Dunbar finished the season with a 7-6 overall record and a first place finish in 6A District 7 with a 3-0 mark. Greer contributes excellent size, speed and toughness to the Bulldogs' defensive line, showcasing his ability to wreak havoc on opposing offenses all season long with his blitzing. The rising junior out of Lexington, KY. can easily adapt and muscle his way past the offensive line to make explosive stops. Greer will be another significant defensive lineman prospect to watch more closely this upcoming season.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16905472/61a491feb019470b64e8e5f2">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='735676' first='Thomas' last='Gerke'], a 6-foot-1, 265-pound defensive lineman out of Lexington Catholic High School, made more than a few significant contributions to the Knights' defense during his sophomore stint of high school football last year. In 13 contests, Gerke became one of the best tacklers on the team, recording 29 total tackles, including seven solo stops, 22 assisted takedowns, five tackles for loss and two sacks. Gerke additionally forced one fumble last year. Lexington Catholic finished the season with a 10-3 overall record and a first place finish in 4A District 5 with a 3-0 mark. With great size, speed and awareness, Gerke proved to be a valuable addition to the Knights' defensive line, showing off his ability to consistently muscle past the offensive line, quickly apply heavy pressure on the quarterback and be an impactful tackler. The rising junior out of Lexington, KY. will certainly be an intriguing talent on the defensive side of the ball to pay attention to this upcoming season.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17432625/639299b5386e27091c35206d">Tape:</a>

After a sensational season of high school football in the Bluegrass State last year, it's time to look back at some of the most impressive and explosive performers as the offseason continues. After breaking down some intriguing running back prospects, it's time to jump back to the defensive side of the ball. Today, we will be evaluating a list of talented defensive lineman that made their presence known on the field this past year. Here's my list of the top 2025 defensive lineman prospects in Kentucky to watch for next season.