Deep Dive: Union County Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charlotte Football Insiders is taking a look at ranking the top Charlotte Metro Area players by position, and we're taking a look at those players in those rankings in a Deep Dive analysis series. In these articles, we will share why these players are ranked and their best attributes as potential college-level football players in their respective futures. This will feature Union County Defensive Linemen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1668397,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"center"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/31.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1668397" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["823700"],"_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-68196b0c27542"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I am not sure what else can be said about the dominant defensive line prospect that hasn't been said already. Aiden has elite strength and athleticism and a get off that is one of the best in his class in the nation. His hand usage to shed blocks after the snap is hard to defend, and he knows how to get to the quarterback in obvious pass rushing situations. Aiden has offers from just about every notable Power 4 school in the nation, and whoever gets him will definitely have a big prize in the 2026 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["951444"],"_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-68196b0c275c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It is incredibly rare to have twin brothers be high level recruits playing the same position on the same team! Andrew will pair with his aforementioned brother to help key a talented Warriors defense that will be leaned on heavily as they work in a new quarterback on offense. Andrew can play inside at the tackle spot or on the end as an EDGE, but either way he is going to bring an elite ability to penetrate at the line of scrimmage and excellent speed for his size. With just as many Power 4 offers, there will be a ton of anticipation for Andrew's decision for the next level when the time comes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1165700"],"_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-68196b0c27624"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In most years, a player with 17 Division 1 college football offers would gain a ton of fanfare across the city and state, but it is surprising how much Manny flies under the radar. I think he's a powerful prospect who could play inside or outside on the next level. Manny can get to the quarterback at a high level, and he also excels at stopping the run when teams try to run right at him. Manny will have to take a big leadership role for a Mavericks team that graduated a ton of seniors from last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607814"],"_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-68196b0c2766c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Monroe always seems to have top level talent coming out of their program, and Caniyus looks like he could be the next success story for the Redhawks. With early Division 1 offers already, Caniyus has shown some elite traits to go along with his impressive size. Caniyus right now flashes a good first step along with impressive strength to shed blocks in both the running game and when rushing the passer. Caniyus has a chance to blow up once he hits the summer camp circuit and colleges see him up close. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1623018"],"_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-68196b0c276aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have seen Kai up close and if he was a little taller, he would have some offers right now. Kai has impressive strength to be a 2027 prospect and he knows how to tie that strength into some nice pass rush moves for an interior defensive line prospect. I am excited to see how he performs at some camps coming up where he can get even more exposure for himself. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Other Defensive Linemen To Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1368126' first='Dawson' last='James'] - Porter Ridge - Dawson has a chance for a strong season as he does a good job in slowing down the interior run game as a defensive tackle prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blake Hopkins - Parkwood - The young 2028 prospect has been turning some heads already at off-season camps for a young Wolfpack team overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1433039' first='Rylan' last='Russ'] - Piedmont - Rylan has excellent size and coming into his senior year he has a chance to jump on some college radars with a strong camp season performance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->