Top Returning 2024 Defensive Linemen in 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5A classification is full of talented defensive linemen, and some of the state's best from last year are returning for the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are they? Let's take a look…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/athlete/15368292">[player_tooltip player_id='1077508' first='Uche' last='Iloh']</a>&nbsp;– EDGE – McIntosh</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the fastest-rising defenders in the state right now. the Peachtree City native out of McIntosh is a big two-sport standout who has an incredibly high ceiling as a disruptive defensive lineman. The big junior EDGE defender know how to dominate on the basketball court, but he's quickly becoming one of the top overall defensive line prospects in the 2024 class in the peach state. Iloh has a long 6-foot-7 235-pound frame with the potential to put on more good weight and muscle this off-season. He's a really good athlete for his size and it allowed him to light up the stat sheet defensively last year as a junior, making 90 tackles along with an eye-opening 16 TFLs. He sheds blocks consistently and uses his length to his advantage, making it tough for opposing linemen to lock on to him and keep him out of the backfield. He made at least 8 tackles in 8 games last year while notching 10+ tackles in three games, an impressive feat for any defensive lineman. He also added 10 sacks last year as a junior and could eclipse that mark with ease in his final year next fall. Look for him to have a giant senior season and see more offers to come his way sooner than later. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lorenzo Cowan – Jenkins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top returning defenders in Savannah for the 2023 season, Cowan is a disruptive defender who consistently made plays last year for Jenkins. Put together well at 6-foot-3 220-pounds, Cowan has seen plenty of offers come his way so far this year after a big junior season where he made 31 total tackles and 8 sacks. He's quick off the snap and brings some versatility to the defensive line as he can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt. He can get after the passer, but when he doesn't get there, he's athletic enough to get up and deflect the pass away. He flashes consistently for someone his age, and if he stays healthy, he has a chance to have a giant senior season later this fall. He has easy D1 talent and will play there at thee next level. The Savannah area is loaded with impressive prospects, and Cowan is one of the best on the defensive side of the ball in the 2024 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyquon Hollins - Banneker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more underrated interior defensive lineman in Atlanta, Hollins absolutely lived in the backfield last year due to his quickness, toughness, and overall strength. He's insanely quick off the ball and can blow up any particular play if his opponent isn't ready off the snap. He brings plenty of pressure from the inside and does a great job of shedding blocks quickly to create havoc in the backfield. He doesn't have ideal height as he's on the shorter side for most defensive linemen, but his thick, powerful frame makes him tough to block in one on one situations. He was a terror for Banneker last season, making 59 tackles and an incredible 27 TFLs. He was an excellent run defender and knows how to swallow up running backs before they can make a move behind the line of scrimmage. He also made seven sacks and hurried the quarterback another 26 times. He was so disruptive last season and bound for another strong season as a senior in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->