Five Breakout Candidates in 2024: Interior Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Camp season in the summer gives college opportunities to evaluate prospects and fill their recruiting boards, but it also gives us the opportunity to see which players are candidates to have breakout seasons. These five interior defensive linemen had strong offseasons and look poised to have huge years in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Candidates: Interior Defensive Linemen</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1083465"],"_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-6686a3c242ffc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Owolabi isn't a household name (partially because he transferred in this offseason from out of state) but he's sculpted his body well and knows how to use it. He gets off the ball well and has the physical tools to excel both as a pass rusher and run stopper. After a strong offseason, he looks poised to take the next step as a pass rusher. As he adds moves to his pass rushing arsenal, he has the potential to be one of the top interior linemen in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["422071"],"_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-6686a3c24305b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hill has long been a stout run defender and has had the ability to play both as a nose guard and a 3-technique. As a junior, he flashed good potential, but was still trying to add the strength to match his size. This offseason, he's worked at adding a bit more quickness and some more nuance to his game. I like his upside as a 3-technique and this season if he adds some pass rushing juice to his game, he'll have a huge year for 4A power Grimsley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1127739"],"_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-6686a3c24309c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Best has been playing at a high level for a couple of years now, but doesn't get the recognition he deserves. That could change this year will one more big season. His acceleration off the line is impressive and he's extremely strong, especially when he gets his hands on ball carriers. The sack numbers aren't there, but the tools are and with a few more opportunities against pass-heavy teams, he should collect a few sacks as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1110030"],"_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-6686a3c2430da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Swinton put up good numbers on the field last year, he hasn't yet broken out on the recruiting trail. He's big and accelrates quickly off the line. He generated pressure last season, but the sacks evaded him. This year, he'll look to add a bit of closing speed to finish some of those plays off. The film is good, but his athletic profile suggests there's a bit more untapped potential here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["651061"],"_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-6686a3c243118"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams got some valuable varsity experience last season and understands how to play his position. His body just wasn't quite to the point where he really stood out on film while playing at 250 pounds. Now, he's added weight and seems to be stronger and faster when looking at camp film. If he can maintain the same quickness while playing almost 30 pounds heavier, Williams will have a big year as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->