2027 Rankings Preview, Defensive Linemen to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Continuing with previewing the class of 2027 rankings that will be out soon. I am bringing you some of the Defensive Linemen who you need to be aware of. One prospect will be making his ranking debut and all six are receiving their first Prep Redzone Virginia article coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**The order reflected in this article does not necessarily reflect the order of our upcoming rankings.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311638"],"_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-6803ef6795802"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A stout defensive lineman who plays across the line in a 30-front defense. Displays very good strength, leverage, and use of hands allowing him to hold the line versus the run and push the pocket in pass rush. He is disciplined to his gap assignment and shows pursuit on the play. He <strong><a href="https://x.com/Camdon_Wysocki/status/1856384962087530545" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">finished 2024</a></strong> with 8 Sacks, and over 20 TFLs in only 5 games played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19630925/Camdon-Wysocki" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/Camdon_Wysocki" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311700"],"_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-6803d193f38c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Benjamin is quick off the ball and able to get his hands engaged and create leverage to win his reps. He shows strength to push the pocket and keep himself from losing ground. Has the lateral agility and foot quickness to defend the line of scrimmage in run defense, showing quickness off the block to make the tackle. There is a lot to like on his tape. His height will be a big factor as to where he will play. Currently listed at 5'10", he has a very good frame and displays good athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20305244/benjamin-thompson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/58trim" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311705"],"_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-6803d193f391d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mina possessed the height, frame, and athleticism you want to see in a defensive lineman. He displays a good upfield burst that turns into a relentless pursuit. Good use of hands to keep linemen out of his chest and shed the block. He can rush the passer and play stout in run defense. Versatile to play at the DT and DE position for Godwin. Mina is a candidate for a stock riser in our upcoming rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19552666/Mina-Gaid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/MinaGaid2027" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1312059"],"_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-6803d193f3962"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gage is a DT and Center that shows quickness and strength in his game. As a DL, he has a quick first step and has developed a very good spin move as a block shed technique that leads to him making the play. His size and strength allow him to hold the line versus the run, and he has good finish on his pass-rush move that puts pressure on the QB. As an offensive lineman, he shows the ability to block on the first and second level, with good leverage and leg drive. A very intriguing prospect, and we look forward to seeing his development over the next couple of seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18150282/Gage-Gutierrez" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/gagegutierrez27" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1313686"],"_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-6803d193f39a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Making his rankings debut, Hunter will find himself in good position in the defensive line rankings. His very good size stands out on his film, and he displays solid athleticism to pair with it. He displays the strength to push the pocket and enforce his will. He has very good pursuit in every play. The raw ability is there, development on his bend and hip flexibility will take his game to the next level. Overall, a good defensive line prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19636847/Hunter-Olive" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/HunterOliv91389" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1313690"],"_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-68058cd71a923"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joshua will be making his rankings debut in the next ranking update. We got to know Joshua at our January Player Showcase where he had a solid performance to catch our eye and rank him. No film available from his 2024 season on Hudl, but he will be a part of Blue Ridge's defense of their 2024 state championship season. He is a name to keep an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16777363/Joshua-Crawford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/joshcrawford08" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**Cole cannot communicate with prospects directly due to his work in college football. Any questions related to his content must be directed to the&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzoneVA</a></em>&nbsp;<em>account**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;to claim your Prep Redzone Prospect Index profile.<br>Follow me on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GoLions1934" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@GoLions1934</a>&nbsp;for further content |&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzoneVA</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzone</a>&nbsp;| Virginia Scouts&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/carljfred" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@carljfred</a>,&nbsp;</em><a href="https://x.com/EdOBrienCFB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>@EdOBrienCFB</em></a><em>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/coachbrown757">@coachbrown757</a></em>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<em>View my previous Prep Redzone articles&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/author/cole-laing-author/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->