2026 Rankings Update- Top DL Prospects Across The State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With our new 2026 Rankings Update, it's only right we look towards the trenches and check out some of our top DL prospects across the state!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were super impressed watching these guys - they're every-down threats upfront who can hurt offenses in so many different ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, make sure you watch some of their tape below! These guys are extremely talented and have huge senior seasons ahead this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["928025"],"_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-68377536936b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='928025' first='Vodney' last='Cleveland'] is a talented DL out of Parker who has become a national recruit with how well he's played. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"<span>Standing at 6'3 295, Cleveland plays with a ton of strength, power, and pursuit in the trenches that allow him to wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines. It doesn't matter what the opposing offense runs; Cleveland has the physicality and athleticism to overpower and out-finesse nearly every offensive lineman he's lined up across from him.</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span> Once in the backfield, Cleveland does a great job generating pressure and racking up tackles for loss/sacks.</span> He has impressive closing speed at his size and can hunt down anybody behind the line of scrimmage for huge stops for loss."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland lists offers from Texas, Florida, Auburn, and many others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's set for a huge year this upcoming season, check out what he did last fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17004981/6728372dc73931a0da184e57' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68377a9f3f3f2"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["566977"],"_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-6837753693717"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='566977' first='Tyson' last='Bacon'] is a dominant DL out of Hoover who has become a national recruit in a short amount of time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Bacon is explosive off the line of scrimmage, plays with a ton of speed, power, and quickness, and is an aggressive pursuer of the ball who doesn't allow for any big plays on his side of the line of scrimmage. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Bacon causes a ton of chaos in the trenches- he can completely overpower offensive linemen with his size and strength, and constantly applies pressure/ places hits on opposing QBs. I love how well-rounded he is, he's a dominant playmaker you have to circle every snap as an offense.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bacon has picked up offers from South Carolina, Colorado, Ohio State, and more this offseason. It'll be exciting watching where he ends up soon, he's seriously talented.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out some of Bacon's tape below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20467444/6757b8e1db78bbddd1416a1e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68377a9f3f441"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622453"],"_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-683775369375d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1622453' first='Emanuel' last='Ruffin'] is a dominant DL out of Bessemer City who really caught our eye after last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Ruffin is a terrific run defender- with his size, speed, and power, he gets terrific penetration and is constantly in the backfield. Ruffin eats up space, closes rushing lanes, and has great pursuit he uses to take down RBs <em>along the line of scrimmage </em>for little to no gain. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On passing downs, Ruffin is just as productive- he generates tons of pressure, can bat down passes, and takes on double teams to free up opportunities for his teammates to get after the quarterback."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ruffin came up huge for Bessemer City last fall, ending the year with 51 total tackles (5 solo, 46 assisted, 2 for loss), one sack, and one FR. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ruffin has picked up offers from all over, and currently has visits scheduled to LSU, Ohio State, and Alabama this summer!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out Ruffin's tape below, he's a seriously talented prospect:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16942091/6751d67fc21364e33c979c87' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68377a9f3f486"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1183243"],"_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-68377536937bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1183243' first='Cam' last='Mallory'] had a massive junior season for Moody's defensive front and is now our #4 DL in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Mallory is a guy who eats up space and can wreak a ton of havoc in opposing backfields each snap, and he has the numbers to prove it.  It doesn't matter if it's a run or pass, Mallory explodes off the ball and has some incredibly impressive strength, power, and pursuit skills he uses to create huge stops.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Mallory is constantly in the backfield. With how quick and powerful he is, he can shed off blockers and create plays for loss at any given moment, making him a guy you do NOT want to have to line up across from."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mallory had another dominant season last fall, recording 96 total tackles (50 solo, 22 for loss), 13 hurries, 12 sacks, and one forced fumble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mallory lists offers from Cincinnati, West Virginia, Boston College, and many others- it'll be exciting seeing where he takes his talent next. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out some of what Mallory did last fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17599976/67571b87eb2d0bb55a1e52df' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68377a9f3f4c0"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401117"],"_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-683775369380f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401117' first='Keenan' last='Britt'] is a dominant piece of Oxford's defensive front, coming off his best season yet last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Britt is an extremely well-rounded defensive lineman who completely takes over games for Oxford. He's fast, strong, and has a high motor he uses to dominate the trenches every snap. Britt is especially relentless as a pass rusher and can use a variety of moves to beat offensive linemen into the backfield, constantly pressuring and taking down the quarterback. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On top of his skills as a pass rusher, Britt does a tremendous job defending the run and can rack up tackles all along the line of scrimmage for little to no gain or for loss.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Britt finished his junior season with 139 tackles (20 for loss), 11 sacks, and 3 PBUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Britt committed to South Carolina last August and has another huge year ahead of him this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure you check out some of his film below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16096601/6750b7f53d293446cc8a701e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68377a9f3f4f6"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1137631"],"_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-68377a9f40b9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1137631' first='Garrett' last='Witherington'] is a dominant DL out of Briarwood Christian who had an impressive season last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Witherington is an every-down playmaker for Briarwood Christian's defense who can both defend the run and rush the quarterback really well.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Against the run, Witherington quickly and easily flies through blockers to attack the ball- he's dominant in pursuit, has great tackling skills, and can come up with a ton of stops behind the line of scrimmage.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Witherington is just as productive as a pass rusher- at 6'5 250 he has the size, speed, and power to completely dominate the trenches and get to the quarterback almost every passing down. He has a high motor and a ton of different moves he uses to consistently keep OTs on their heels, generating pressure and collapsing the pocket at a high rate.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier this month, Witherington listed a Top 7 of North Carolina, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Penn State!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Witherington has some really impressive tape you can check out below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16632396/671e8551116eeec4ed4d8dc4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68377a9f40bd0"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2406","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2446","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683775369416e"} /-->