Top Talent from 2026’s D-Line Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turning our attention to the defensive side of the ball, the D-line has some stout players on the watchlist. Out of all the positions to keep an eye on in New Jersey, the defensive line is a position we consistently see move onto the next level and shine. Here are a few players that have the potential to make their names known in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["823165"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Racking up 33 tackles, 3 sacks and a forced fumble in 2023, [player_tooltip player_id='823165' first='Dominic' last='Canzano'] showed he belongs amongst the best in the 2026 NJ class. A defensive tackle that manhandles blockers on his way to the quarterback, Dominic is ruthless in his pursuit and showed no fear lining up against the upperclassmen last season. Quick with his hand work, Dominic can get by an offensive lineman with ease and swallow up the runner. Dominic has a ton of potential to be an upfront force for years to come.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a0be"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17800137/6543c9eb664bdb13b810bbda' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc470"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[284073],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"An explosive defensive tackle that gets a low start off of the line, [player_tooltip player_id='329064' first='Rob' last='Carstarphen'] is a big time playmaker coming out of Winslow. A true roadblock in the interior defensive line, Rob makes it tough for any offense to find success up the middle. Racking up 52 tackles and 4 sacks last season, Rob was part of one of the most dominant defensive units in the state last fall. Though he has a smaller stature, Rob is a true athlete at the position and can put moves on blockers that gets him in the backfield quickly.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a169"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17894071/65b1a299c11a2c1734e490ee' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc520"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["606208"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The first defensive end on the list, [player_tooltip player_id='606208' first='Dorian' last='Kelsey'] is a legitimate talent that needs more attention. A speedster off of the edge, Dorian can stay low and balanced as he collapses the pocket in on the quarterback. What really sets Dorian apart from other defenders is his rare combination of speed and strength. Dorian uses his strong upper body to drive blockers backwards while his hand skills allows him to shove and swim by as he heads for the backfield. A burst off of the line, Dorian times the ball perfectly and always has a step on the lineman.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a1de"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18340154/65331dba041e0907384febf6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6573b8a818f84"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402199"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The second strong defender coming out of Winslow on this list, [player_tooltip player_id='402199' first='Cayden' last='Gray'] is a big man that is ready to make a name for himself in his junior season. Delivering some of the biggest hits I've seen on tape, Cayden moves with ferocity as he absolutely levels players the same size as him. A player that goes full tilt until the whistle is blown, you better get out of Cayden's way if he's heading your direction.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a24e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15881306/6592fb2990ef5902302a8e0b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a26c"} /-->