This Fall’s Top CSRA Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the better part of two seasons, we've been trying to describe the recent rise of talent in the CSRA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From Edgefield down to Bamberg, it's prevalent. And while the entire CSRA at times appeared to be dictated by transfers - this positional group wasn't immune - what we're seeing is a potential all-star quality two-deep lineup of defensive linemen all primed for a huge 2023.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These seven play inside and out, and all of them know exactly how to bust up an opposing offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284133' first='Deontra' last='Allen'] Aiken</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allen's about to be part of Dwayne Garrick's scheme for the first time, and we can promise you that Garrick is more than adept at getting his playmakers into the right position. That goes for Allen, who initially jumped into our rankings back in the spring as a defensive lineman but who had the physical tools to move back to linebacker if needed. He is also likely going to see some carries on offense, too. He's that flexible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='816739' first='Rayfield' last='Bell'] Wagener-Salley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other Class of 2026 on this list, Bell's acclimation period to varsity football included a bunch of playing time on both sides of the line. He ended his freshman season with 44 tackles, eight tackles for loss and one each in the sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery categories. Bell was already 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds by the end of his freshman season. He's likely continue to grow. If he keeps his quick feet, watch him extremely closely for the next three years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='451249' first='Jaydon' last='Eason'] Silver Bluff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The parade of CSRA transfers this offseason included Eason, who last year tallied 66 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks. The 6-foot, 280-pound tackle can move a ton of weight all by himself and can definitely handle double teams. Because of one of his line mates, that probably won't happen as much as it did a year ago at North Augusta. And Eason's individual production and that of his team is going to be a beneficiary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='139299' first='Jordan' last='Boyd'] Silver Bluff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Boyd is on, he's probably the single best edge rusher in the state of South Carolina. There's a reason he's going to Georgia Tech, after all. His 25 tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hurries and 10 sacks last year all led the team, as did his 67.5 total tackles. All of that came in just 12 games. If Boyd (pictured) is able to get himself going like that again, and with much more help around him, he'll have more than 12 games to do his thing this fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589020' first='Darius' last='Simpkins']</strong> Strom Thurmond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simpkins is a wrecking ball of a defensive end whose numbers could look even better if he wasn't a candidate for consistent double teams. Still, as a junior he racked up 46 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He also blocked a punt on special teams, something a few colleges liked as icing on the cake. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound end checks a lot of boxes, productivity included.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997142' first='Brandon' last='Pontoon']</strong> Wagener-Salley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's throw out some numbers first: 93 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 FF. Can you see why Pontoon is a two-time all-region selection? Last fall, he was a 2022 Class A All-State pick as an offensive lineman. But no one will deny that this 6-foot-2, 295 pounder could easily play on either side of the line in college, too. He certainly won't have any trouble qualifying, as he's still No. 1 in his graduating class, too.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Y'Zorion Washington</strong> Bamberg-Ehrhardt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For a 6-foot-2, 290-pound defensive tackle, Washington sure doesn't move like one. He's got highlight after highlight of him slipping off the shoulders of opposing interior linemen and getting into the backfield. Not coincidentally, he had 23 tackles for loss and seven sacks to go along with his 68 total tackles during his Class A All-State junior season. He uses what he's picked up on offense, too, but his spot in the middle of the defensive line is priority No. 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->