2027 Rankings Newcomers – Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2027 is full of talent from top to bottom, and it was fun taking a deep dive into some athletic defensive linemen who did a great job of putting good stuff on film and playing their way into our Spring Rankings update here in North Carolina! Let's take a look at a few of these special players and tell you what impressed us about their overall game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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-683c92385baf8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I highlighted Kai in my Deep Dive series for top Union County defensive linemen, and that analysis played a big role in him entering the rankings for Defensive Linemen just outside the Top 100 and #12 in his position. When you take a look at his game highlights, Kai does not get moved easily from either the "1" technique or "3" technique role he plays on the defensive line in the running game. Kai exhbits some impressive quickness in shooting gaps in his pass rush moves upfield, and has a nice short area burst allowing him to get sacks or force tackles for loss on ball carriers. It is only a matter of time before colleges start showing interest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1678650"],"_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-683c92385bb4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kadence had a super productive season last year for a very good Reidsville program - 111 Tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks playing primarily the EDGE role. Kadence picked up his first offer from Elon University back in April and has had some other Division 1 programs interested in him. Kadence has an impressive burst off the edge when rushing the passer, rushing through the tackles outside shoulder so quickly that in some cases they don't even get their hands on him. That same burst is used in making tackles in the backfield against ball carriers. Kadence shows some good hand usage in shedding blocks in the interior run game as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617737"],"_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-683c92385bb97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">King jumped on a lot of radars this spring, where he picked up offers from Duke and Boston College, his first two offers overall. King has a desire to be the best he can be as a player, and you can see that reflected in his highlight film. King has a strong burst at the line of scrimmage and ties that with strong hand usage in a variety of pass rush moves to get to the quarterback. King also shows good power and knockback in the run game, and shows good fundamentals to disengage from blocks and get in on tackles consistently. A 3.5 GPA paired with this film means more offers are going to be coming sooner rather than later for King!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1656785"],"_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-683c92385bbdf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Antwan is another player who went from unranked all the way to #38 overall in our rankings and the #4 defensive linemen, and he also blew up from a recruiting perspective in late March, with several Division 1 FBS offers coming his way. The physical profile is impressive - notably a 7-foot wingspan - but what Antwan put on film also helps his cause tremendously. The play that made me excited was where Antwan got an interception - a big feat for a defensive lineman, but he played it with excellent technique - Antwn felt he was being let up field by the offensive lineman, he retraced his steps perfectly, and plucked the attempted screen behind him out of the air. Awesome stuff. Antwan uses his long arms and hands with power to shed blocks and shows good speed to get to the quarterback. It's a safe bet that you will see Antwan continue to rise in our rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1658913"],"_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-683c92385bc24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Josiah is a player with some really good upside here as an edge rusher on the line of scrimmage. Josiah shows some very good speed coming off the edge as both a pass rusher and a run defender. Josiah does a good job of stringing plays out that are attempting to get outside of him, using his hands to strike blockers and read the ball carrier, then shedding and making the play. I think Josiah will be even better when he adds some weight - there are times in the run game where he can play a little high and strong linemen can give him some trouble, but as a pure pass rusher and edge defender, he is close to receiving some offers in my honest opinion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->