2026 Defensive Linemen To Watch Across The State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648670' first='Keysaun' last='Eleazer'] - Southeast Raleigh</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'5 and 180 pounds, Keysaun has picked up his first two offers from Appalachian State and Troy respectively - and I'm sure they are excited about his physical frame. Looking at his frame, Keysaun has an incredible reach where he affects attempted passes by quarterbacks by getting his hands up in the passing lanes well when he doesn't get to the quarterback. However, Keysaun does get to the quarterback frequently using a nice first step off of the line of scrimmage, and good speed to beat offensive tackles around the edge as a Defensive End. Keysaun also shows a good ability to use his hands and play off blocks and affect the perimeter run game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='662372' first='Zavion' last='Griffin-Haynes'] - Rolesville </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You would think a 6'6 225-pound edge player would turn some heads at one of the best programs at the state, and yes, you would be correct. Zavion has offers from Miami (Ohio), Appalachian State, South Carolina, Troy, Auburn, Charlotte, and UCLA. Per his Twitter profile, he has upcoming visits at UCLA and South Carolina and has already visited NC State, North Carolina, Florida, and Duke. Zavion has received some accolades from other outlets and deservedly so. When you look at his highlights, the most impressive thing Zavion is making tackles in the backfield using some elite closing speed from his defensive end position. A lot of those plays are blocked with the assumption a weakside defensive end won't get there, but Zavion does - over and over again. Zavion also shows some speed off the edge rushing the passer and using his long reach to affect passes when he doesn't get to the quarterback. I can see why colleges are excited - with his frame and athletic ability, the sky is the limit for Zavion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321144' first='Tyrel' last='Weatherspoon'] - Concord </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'1 315 pound defensive tackle, Tyrel impressed me first at an offseason showcase where he won the strongest man award. Then, learning Tyrel also played basketball made me intrigued to take a look at his highlight film. Tyrel had a play that caught a lot of eyes - as he returned a fumble he caught out of the air for a touchdown - a lineman's dream! But what that also showed is some real athletic ability from a young man of that size, which is always impressive. Tyrel was also an All-Conference selection this past season. A detailed look at his film shows a strong internal run stopper that can shed blocks and make tackles on running backs in the interior run game. Tyrel doesn't get moved by interior offensive linemen and can take on double teams. Also, Tyrel shows some good short-burst closing speed on quarterbacks to affect the passing game after an effective bull rush. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DJ Joyce - Mount Airy </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'2 200-pound defensive end prospect, I didn't know much about DJ until I started doing some research on him. He doesn't have a lot of attention on him right now, but if DJ continues to produce at the level he did last year with 12 sacks, it's going to come his way. Taking a look at the film from last season, DJ does things that can affect both the running game and the passing game. I enjoyed watching DJ execute a great wrong-shoulder technique on a guard and blowing the play up as a result. DJ also shows excellent speed coming off the edge in a two-point stance and can beat offensive tackles around the edge. Finally, DJ has been coached well as he always keeps outside leverage and forces the action back inside to the rest of his defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612252' first='Christopher' last='Bispham'] - Havelock </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'2 and 260-pound prospect, Christopher had an extremely productive season last year with 106 total tackles, 36 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks - incredible from a sophomore. As a result of that, Christopher has some strong recruiting interest and offers from multiple colleges including Charlotte, Old Dominion, and James Madison. When you take a look at the film, you simply get excited if you like defensive line play. Christopher first of all has a variety of pass rush moves, and he chains them together well to get to the quarterback. Christopher shocks offensive linemen with a strong two-hand punch then can work a rip move or an impressive snatch move from both the defensive tackle and defensive end positions - that is very advanced from a sophomore! There are times also when Christopher can shoot the gap and blow up offensive plays in the backfield before they get started. I don't say this a lot, but Christopher needs to be getting more recruiting attention, period. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->