2025 Stock-Risers: Defensive Linemen on the Rise

We've spent the last few days highlghting the offensive players who made moves in our latest rankings update, so now it's time to look at the players on the defensive side of the ball. First up, defensive line stock-risers. Which defensive linemen raised their stock over the summer?   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Defensive Line Stock-Risers</h2>    We decided to keep Darden as an edge rusher even though he's committed to South Carolina at linebacker. The reason is that I simply can't let a guy with his bend be put in an off-ball role just yet. Darden plays bigger than his weight suggest and his wingspan is ridiculous, approching seven feet. You can tell on film too as he's able to get ahold of ball carriers in positions where most would be too far away. He's still improving as a pass rusher, but physically, he looks the part and should be an impact player in college.     I recently wrote about Brooks as part of the "underappreciated" series and that evaluation played a huge part in our decision to move him up the rankings. Brooks is an impressive-looking edge rusher with FBS strength and speed and his versatility on the line, specifically his ability to play multiple positions along the line. That works well because it means that no matter how his body continues to develop, he can be effective. With a big senior year, he could get on the radar of some of the top schools in the Carolinas.     Lee is a bona fide power edge rusher in a sea of speed rushers in the 2025 class and that unique skillset makes him an intriguing college prospect. In addition to his play strength, his pursuit and length allow him to get to ball carriers who try to run to his side. This season, I'll be looking to see if he can display some more variety in pass rushing moves, but the quickness and strength pop on tape.     The first interior defensive lineman on this list, Knox is a solid run defender and pass rusher who transferred to Mallard Creek this offseason. Knox's best trait is his quick first step which allows him to get offensive linemen on their heels so he can then win with speed or power. His pass-rushing ability is excellent and is probably the highest-upside part of his game.     Best moved from our watch list to our rankings after he became a consistent presence in the middle of Aycock's defense. Best has good power and is able to hold up in the running game. His stats aren't eye-popping, but he's good at taking on offensive linemen to allow his linebackers make tackles behind him.     Kelly has long been a standout lacrosse player, but he's relatively new to the football field. As such, he's a bit raw, but performed admirably at the state's highest level of competition. He wins mostly win speed off the edge, but he also naturally sets the edge and works well in the running game. I'm interested to see how he continues to progress with another offseason under his belt.     Originally more of an edge rusher, Pinder has developed into one of the better undersized interior linemen in the state, still holding up and actually excelling against the run. Pinder isn't afraid to shoot gaps and put himself in the backfield. His speed is excellent for the position and he doesn't give up on plays, often making tackles down the field.     Last year, Sullivan played as an undersized 3-4 defensive end for West Henderson but transferred to Christ School where he'll likely play a more traditional 4-3 edge rusher role that suits his skillset a bit more. He's extremely quick off the edge and has decent bend. With a big year in a more natural position, Sullivan will almost surely move up again.

We've spent the last few days highlghting the offensive players who made moves in our latest rankings update, so now it's time to look at the players on the defensive side of the ball. First up, defensive line stock-risers. Which defensive linemen raised their stock over the summer?