Prep Redzone Logo
Login Subscribe
    • Players/Parents
    • College Coaches
  • Choose Your State Middle School Coverage
    Alabama
    Arizona
    Arkansas
    California
    Canada
    Colorado
    Dakotas
    Florida
    Georgia
    Idaho
    Illinois
    Indiana
    Iowa
    Kansas
    Kentucky
    Louisiana
    Maryland
    Michigan
    Minnesota
    Mississippi
    Missouri
    Nebraska
    Nevada
    New England
    New Jersey
    New Mexico
    New York
    North Carolina
    Ohio
    Oklahoma
    Oregon
    Pennsylvania
    South Carolina
    Tennessee
    Texas
    Utah
    Virginia
    Washington
    West Virginia
    Wisconsin
  • Loading...
  • Loading...
  • Tournaments
    • 7 on 7 7 on 7
    Showcases
    • High School High School
    • Middle School Middle School
    About Our Events
  • Prep Redzone for
    • Players
    • Parents
    • Club Coaches
    • High School Coaches
    • College Coaches
    • Fans
    View All Features
    • Coverage Access Prep Redzone articles year-round.
    • Rankings See how players stack up in each state.
    • Player Profiles Build your own profile and join the Prep Redzone database.
    • Coach Views Get notified when a college coach views your profile.
    • Profile Trends Track your Player Profile views over time.
    • Recruiting Tasks Stay on-track in the recruiting process
    • Recruiting Dashboard All your recruiting tools in a single place.
    • College Match Recommends colleges that match with your profile.
    • Coach Contacts Contact any program in the country.
    • Event Credits Save $25 on all Prep Redzone combines.
    • Recruiting Tips Become an expert on the recruiting process.
    • College Email Templates Send customized emails directly to college coaches.
    • Scouts
    • How We Rank
    • About Us
  • North Carolina
  • Rankings
    • How We Rank

    • Archived Rankings

    • 2026 Rankings

    • 2027 Rankings

    • 2028 Rankings

    • 2029 Rankings

  • Player Database
  • Team Rankings
  • Scores
  • Scouts
Prep Redzone Logo
  • Home
  • Coverage
      Choose Your State Middle School Coverage
      Alabama
      Arizona
      Arkansas
      California
      Canada
      Colorado
      Dakotas
      Florida
      Georgia
      Idaho
      Illinois
      Indiana
      Iowa
      Kansas
      Kentucky
      Louisiana
      Maryland
      Michigan
      Minnesota
      Mississippi
      Missouri
      Nebraska
      Nevada
      New England
      New Jersey
      New Mexico
      New York
      North Carolina
      Ohio
      Oklahoma
      Oregon
      Pennsylvania
      South Carolina
      Tennessee
      Texas
      Utah
      Virginia
      Washington
      West Virginia
      Wisconsin
  • Events
      Tournaments
      • 7 on 7 7 on 7
      Showcases
      • High School High School
      • Middle School Middle School
      About Our Events
  • Rankings
      Loading...
  • Scores
      Loading...
  • Features
      Prep Redzone for
      • Players
      • Parents
      • Club Coaches
      • High School Coaches
      • College Coaches
      • Fans
      View All Features
      • Coverage Access Prep Redzone articles year-round.
      • Rankings See how players stack up in each state.
      • Player Profiles Build your own profile and join the Prep Redzone database.
      • Coach Views Get notified when a college coach views your profile.
      • Profile Trends Track your Player Profile views over time.
      • Recruiting Tasks Stay on-track in the recruiting process
      • Recruiting Dashboard All your recruiting tools in a single place.
      • College Match Recommends colleges that match with your profile.
      • Coach Contacts Contact any program in the country.
      • Event Credits Save $25 on all Prep Redzone combines.
      • Recruiting Tips Become an expert on the recruiting process.
      • College Email Templates Send customized emails directly to college coaches.
  • About Us
      • Scouts
      • How We Rank
      • About Us
  • Support
Login Subscribe

All-Underappreciated Team: Defensive Line

All-Underappreciated Team: Defensive Line
Will Helms
Will Helms July 27, 2024 @ 08:29 PM
Facebook
X (Formerly Twitter)

In this article:

Rob Lange
Rob Lange 6'4" | 230 lbs | EDGE | 2026
NC
Avion Perry
Avion Perry 5'11" | 275 lbs | DL | 2026
NC
Julian Brooks
Julian Brooks 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL | 2025
NC
KJ Liles
KJ Liles 6'4" | 290 lbs | DL | 2025
NC
Zachary Mccormick
Zachary Mccormick 6'1" | 235 lbs | DL | 2025
NC
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've moved to the defensive side of the ball in our all-underappreciated series as we take a look at the defensive linemne who are doing all the things they should, but don't get the recognition they deserve. There are plenty who could fit this category, but I'll cut it down to five here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Five Underappreciated Defensive Linemen</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["351892"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a59746270ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooks is an impressive-looking edge rusher with FBS strength and speed. He's able to keep offensive tackles at a distance with long arms and uses his quickness well to get into the backfield. I have a borderline-Power Four grade on Brooks and love his versatility as a pass rusher. He's able to line up inside and on either side of the defensive line. If he can add a few more pounds and puts together another productive season, I could see one of the bigger schools in the Carolinas getting involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["286142"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a597462714f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCormick has been on Prep Redzone's radar for years, but he hasn't gotten the recruiting traction we initially expected when he made it into our first class of 2025 rankings. McCormick is a bit of a tweener who plays edge at the high school level, but keeps his weight down for lacrosse and could add some weight and develop into an interior guy in college. I love his strength and quickness and he's a really valuable run defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["308521"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a5974627193"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Liles is a strong dude with a relentless motor that he uses to get after the quarterback and clog up the middle in the run game. He's not the fastest interior lineman you'll find, but he's excellent at holding up interior offensive linemen and throwing off the timing of plays. He gets some hustle sacks because he's always finishing plays and I think he's a guy who could really help a Division 1 program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1130290"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a59b00344f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lange is probably pretty close to blowing up on the recruiting trail after growing a bit and earning an offer from Charlotte this offseason. He's long, but has good bend off the edge, allowing him to get to the quarterback quickly. He displays a variety of passrushing moves which allows him to beat talented offensive tackles with some level of consistency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["900549"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a59e356ab9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perry isn't the biggest interior lineman you'll find, but he has good quickness and plenty of strength to stand up against double teams. He's really hard to move off of his spot and he's able to use his straight lin speed to chase quarterbacks who break the pocket. His stats aren't gaudy, but he does a ton of the dirty work and will be solid college contributor and teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

We've moved to the defensive side of the ball in our all-underappreciated series as we take a look at the defensive linemne who are doing all the things they should, but don't get the recognition they deserve. There are plenty who could fit this category, but I'll cut it down to five here.

Julian Brooks

Julian Brooks

NC
DL
HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 240
POS DL
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Julian
Brooks DL
Class
2025
Height
6'2"
Weight
240
HS
Eastern Randolph
|
NC
All-Underappreciated Team: Defensive Line
Brooks is an impressive-looking edge rusher with FBS strength and speed. He’s able to keep offensive tackles at...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Julian Brooks

Instagram Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Eastern Randolph
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Zachary Mccormick

Zachary Mccormick

NC
DL
HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 235
POS DL
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Zachary
Mccormick DL
Class
2025
Height
6'1"
Weight
235
HS
Union Pines
|
NC
All-Underappreciated Team: Defensive Line
McCormick has been on Prep Redzone’s radar for years, but he hasn’t gotten the recruiting traction we initially...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Zachary Mccormick

Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Union Pines
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

KJ Liles

KJ Liles

NC
DL
HEIGHT 6'4"
WEIGHT 290
POS DL
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
KJ
Liles DL
Class
2025
Height
6'4"
Weight
290
HS
Northern Durham
|
NC
All-Underappreciated Team: Defensive Line
Liles is a strong dude with a relentless motor that he uses to get after the quarterback and...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

KJ Liles

Instagram Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Northern Durham
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Rob Lange

Rob Lange

NC
EDGE
HEIGHT 6'4"
WEIGHT 230
POS EDGE
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Rob
Lange EDGE
Class
2026
Height
6'4"
Weight
230
HS
Northwest Guilford
|
NC
All-Underappreciated Team: Defensive Line
Lange is probably pretty close to blowing up on the recruiting trail after growing a bit and earning...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Rob Lange

Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Northwest Guilford
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Avion Perry

Avion Perry

NC
DL
HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 275
POS DL
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Avion
Perry DL
Class
2026
Height
5'11"
Weight
275
HS
Apex
|
NC
All-Underappreciated Team: Defensive Line
Perry isn’t the biggest interior lineman you’ll find, but he has good quickness and plenty of strength to...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Avion Perry

Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Apex
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Prep Redzone

Access all of Prep Redzone

Continue reading this article and more.

Continue Reading
Already a subscriber? Log in

Rankings

723 Players Ranked

  • 1
    Kendre Harrison

    Kendre Harrison

    Reidsville

    Oregon
  • 2
    Samari Matthews

    Samari Matthews

    William A. Hough

    Texas
  • 3
    Faizon Brandon

    Faizon Brandon

    Grimsley

    Tennessee
  • 4
    Ekene Ogboko

    Ekene Ogboko

    South Garner

    Georgia
  • 5
    Aiden Harris

    Aiden Harris

    Weddington

    South Carolina
View Full Rankings

Related Articles

  • 2030-’31 North Carolina Names to Jot Down

    2030-’31 North Carolina Names to Jot Down

    Austin Butler • December 2

  • 3A Regional Finals Preview

    3A Regional Finals Preview

    Will Helms • December 2

  • 7A Regional Finals Preview

    7A Regional Finals Preview

    Will Helms • December 2

  • 8A Championship Game Rankings Comparison: Offense

    8A Championship Game Rankings Comparison: Offense

    Will Helms • December 2

  • North Carolina’s Defensive Powers in the 2030-’32 Class

    North Carolina’s Defensive Powers in the 2030-’32 Class

    Austin Butler • December 2

Follow Us

  • Alan Popadines

    Alan Popadines

    @ALPopsFootball

  • Will Helms

    Will Helms

    @whelms21

  • Matt Morrow

    Matt Morrow

    @pepman704

  • Austin Butler

    Austin Butler

    @__AustinButler

Loading...
Home North Carolina All-Underappreciated Team: Defensive Line

Prep Network

  • Prep Network
  • Prep Dig
  • Prep Girls Hoops
  • Prep Hoops
  • Prep Lacrosse
  • Prep Redzone
  • Prep Soccer
  • Prep Softball

Company

  • News
  • About
  • Careers
  • Store
  • Partner Interest Form

Resources

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Cookie Policy
  • NCSA College Recruiting
  • Recruiting Tips
  • Student Loan Resources
  • College Scholarship Search

Support

  • My Account
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Prep Redzone. All rights reserved.