Strong DL group helps headline Louisiana's 2026 class

Louisiana's 2026 class has the makings of one of the state's strongest in recent years with the type of talent that can lay championship foundations.   And a major factor in the high consideration and expectations for the group overall includes its wealth of high-end prospects in the trenches.   Here's a look at nine defensive linemen ranked in the top 50 of the latest Prep Redzone Louisiana update for the class.   And for more on some of the top offensive linemen, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/02/strong-ol-group-helps-headline-louisiana-2026-class/">click here</a>.     [player_tooltip player_id='740982' first='Chris' last='Addison'] — 6-4, 225 EDGE/TE — Franklin Parish   The first of two Patriots standouts on this list, we have viewed Addison more as a stand-up, off-ball linebacker working from wide on the bulk of his film, but he could ultimately develop into more of a down lineman at the next level. Addison is a thickly built, strong athlete off the edge who does a good job keep his arms extended and legs driving to push blockers back, rip free and chase down plays with a high motor. He has garnered some recruiting attention as both a tight end and an edge rusher, including SEC and other Power Four offers.   [player_tooltip player_id='710991' first='Richard' last='Anderson'] — 6-4, 320 DL — Edna Karr   "Big Rich" proved as dominant as any player in the state down the stretch of his Cougars' Division-I Select title run this winter on his way to all-state recognition. Anderson is a big, powerful athlete with impressive explosiveness and quickness as his size who can quickly, almost singlehandedly disrupt an opposing offense in both the run and passing games. He committed to LSU last summer — the first prospect in the state's class to make a college choice, and the first member of the Tigers' class — but has maintained an open mind to other programs pursuing him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1602194' first='Tavon' last='Bell'] — 6-3, 255 DL/EDGE — Franklin Parish   The Patriots' edge rusher was the highest-ranking debut in the latest round of Prep Redzone Louisiana updates, as the Winnsboro program continues to enjoy a rare wave of talent coming through. Bell has multisport athleticism, active hands and a tenacious motor that make him a handful for opposing blockers to keep in front of and good size for the next level and could develop into a more versatile lineman across the front. Bell is one of three rising seniors at Franklin Parish currently garnering notable Power Four attention.   [player_tooltip player_id='1345265' first='Will' last='Berry'] — 6-4, 250 DL/EDGE — Jesuit   One of Prep Redzone Louisiana's more under-the-radar favorites in the class during the past year, the Blue Jays' versatile standout has seen his recruiting traction pick up notably with his continued physical development and strong junior season. Berry tacked on another 10 pounds from his preseason measurables and possesses a good combination of explosive get-off, natural strength, and quickness to be effective off the edge or working inside. Yale, Troy, Arkansas State and Northwestern State have recently joined his list, along with his early offers from Cornell, Harvard and Penn.   [player_tooltip player_id='401954' first='Dylan' last='Berymon'] — 6-3, 305 DL — Ouachita Parish   The second of four top-10 prospects on this list, the Lions' star is powerful, explosive defensive tackle prospect who has shown the quickness and overall athleticism to show some inside-outside versatility at this level and be a nightmare for opposing rushing and passing attacks alike. Berymon used his combination of size, strength and leverage to drive back even double teams inside and also proven effective enough working from the edge to keep offenses guessing where he may attack from on a given play. A slew of SEC programs have been among the biggest early contenders.   [player_tooltip player_id='212343' first='Lamar' last='Brown'] — 6-4, 280 OL/DL — University Lab   The Cubs' star is the lone player on both the offensive and defensive line lists. Prep Redzone Louisiana's top-ranked prospect in the class is a stout, strong athlete who possesses explosiveness and athleticism in his frame that has the nation's top programs battling for him as a can't-miss target, no matter which side of the line or where along it he ultimately lands at the next level. LSU and Texas A&M have appeared to move to the forefront of recruitment heading into the home stretch of this spring and summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='920606' first='Darryus' last='McKinley'] — 6-3, 265 DL/EDGE — Acadiana   The younger brother of the top-ranked prospect in Louisiana's 2024 class came into his own this fall with an all-state honorable-mention junior campaign as one of the top playmakers for the Wreckin' Rams' defense. Darryus bulked up notably over the past year into a more consistent and versatile player along the defensive front. Like Dominick, Darryus has a long list of offers all over the country from which to choose. But home-state LSU appears the likeliest team to beat.   [player_tooltip player_id='1345252' first='Tyrone' last='Morgan'] — 6-4, 240 DL/EDGE — Woodlawn (Baton Rouge)   Another versatile defensive lineman who has shown major strides in his physical development, Morgan played another 20-plus pounds stronger as a junior than his listed weight from last offseason and has already reportedly bulked up another 10-15 pounds. As he continues to work more inside, he has maintained his explosive get-off, quickness and closing speed that all make him difficult for blockers to keep out of the backfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='1602018' first='Scott' last='Smith Jr.'] — 6-5, 220 EDGE/DL — Central (Baton Rouge)   Another notable debut on the latest round of Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings updates, the Wildcats' standout is the longest and leanest athlete on this list, but possesses good natural strength and an explosive get-off that enable him to pop opposing offensive linemen back and win his matchups in a variety of ways and be effective in both is pass-urns and his run defense. Smith is effective appears to play with consistent effort fighting through blocks and making plays all over the field and has been one of the state's hotter names so far in 2025 with Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tulane, Louisiana Tech and Texas Tech among his most recent offers.

Louisiana's 2026 class has the makings of one of the state's strongest in recent years with the type of talent that can lay championship foundations.