Top Pee Dee And Grand Strand DLs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eight defensive linemen along the Grand Strand and Pee Dee enter the 2023 season with a head full of steam.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether they're household names or not, each of these players is positioned to stand out right out of the gate. They run the gamut of size and the scheme they play in, but each of them has shown they're ready for a big year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hayden Wilson</strong> Hartsville - While a lot of eyes on the Hartsville defensive line will be on converted offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922400' first='Jackson' last='Chavis']</strong> on the edge, don't discount what Wilson could mean for a Red Foxes' defense that got gashed quite a bit last year. The 6-foot, 325-pound tackle is going to chew up a lot of space in the middle, allowing Chavis and a slew of linebackers to roam free.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='617662' first='Jamie' last='Williamson']</strong> West Florence - Now at 6-foot-2 and a decent lunch away from 300 pounds, Williamson has quickly risen up the depth chart on that side of the ball, too. While he's also going to get major minutes on the offensive line at right tackle, the sophomore will have every opportunity to improve on a freshman season in which he finished with 22 total tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nazir Stevenson</strong> Lamar - Stevenson has been deemed the best player on the field by multiple coaching staffs, and his natural ability stands out among his peers in Class A ball. He's 5-foot-10 and 255 pounds. And while he'll be asked to play a ton of nose guard, his fast enough to start at either end position when needed, as well. He's a big reason Lamar allowed just 13 points per game last season. This time around, he'll make the Silver Foxes even better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809755' first='DJ' last='Gause']</strong> North Myrtle Beach - The rest of the coaches in Region VI-4A are keeping a close eye on North Myrtle Beach. The Chiefs' defense allowed only 28 points combined in its last two games of the year and was starting to put things together. Gause was a big part of that rise. At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, the defensive end is a disruptive force who ended the 2022 season with 22 total tackles and 4.5 sacks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208354' first='Chantwan' last='Harkless']</strong> South Florence - Harkless was one of the South Florence defenders who quietly went about his business last year while the Bruins' stout linebacker corps tended to stand out more. Still, he put up 38 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. Those number will probably pale into comparison to this fall, thanks to another addition on the South Florence defensive line that has Harkless in even more of an edge-rushing role.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340390' first='James' last='Brockington']</strong> Kingstree - Brockington is a top-75 player in the Class of 2024 for a reason. Despite dealing with some injury issues during the offseason, the 6-foot-3, 275-pound lineman is primed for a huge senior season. The Blazers are going to see a variety of opposing offenses, and Brockington's can thrive against all of them. Last year, in addition to his 45.5 total tackles, he put up an eye-popping 24 tackles for loss. You read that correctly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464883' first='Javon' last='Johnson']</strong> Loris - The entire Lions' defense is built upon speed, and Johnson is a perfect example. The 5-foot-10, 240-pound defensive tackle showed last year that he can compete against any offensive line on Loris' schedule. He ended the 2022 season with 52.5 tackles and 17 tackles for loss. Now, here's the crazy part: Johnson (pictured) is only at the midway point of his high school career. He's produced for two years already, and he's one to watch for the next two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809742' first='Amare' last='Adams']</strong> South Florence - The 6-foot-3, 285-pound defensive end is going to be in one heck of a recruiting battle soon enough, as he's got offers from most of the big boys of college football. Before any of that comes to fruition, though, the biggest addition to the defending Class 4A state champions has a chance to perform on an even bigger stage. He's going to be tested week in and out with South's schedule, and we think he's more than up for the task.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->