2028 Rankings Positional Breakdown: DL Already Making Noise

The 2028 rankings just dropped, and as always, there's plenty to dig into. We're kicking off our positional breakdowns with a look at the defensive linemen — the big men up front who are already causing problems for offenses around the state. From freakish length and early college offers to raw strength and nonstop motors, this group brings a little bit of everything to the table. Some are well on their way to becoming national names, while others are just starting to break out. Either way, these are five defensive linemen you'll want to keep an eye on.    There aren't many freshmen in Arizona — or around the country for that matter — who turned heads the way [player_tooltip player_id='1127575' first='Jalanie' last='George'] did last fall. Already standing 6'5” and 240 pounds, George looks like he could suit up for a Power Five program right now, and he's got the production to back it up. He racked up 63 tackles, 11 TFLs, and 5 sacks while starting all season at defensive end for Desert Edge. His frame and length are elite, but what really pops on film is how quick he is off the ball and how relentless he plays — he never stops chasing the action. Add in an interception, pass breakups at the line, and a motor that never cools down, and it's no surprise schools from the SEC, Big Ten, and Pac-12 have already offered. It's hard not to see him as a future national name, and his stock keeps rising with each rep.     [player_tooltip player_id='1120340' first='Landen' last='Wade'] is a name to know coming out of Basha, and not just because of the size — though 6'4” and 240 pounds at his age definitely turns heads. He's a raw but incredibly gifted edge defender who combines length, burst, and a high motor in a way that screams long-term upside. He flies off the snap, shows natural bend, and does a great job using his reach to disengage from blocks and collapse the edge. He's already drawing real attention from college programs, with Arizona and Oregon jumping in early, and more Power Four interest heating up. Add in the fact that he tested off the charts at multiple events — running in the 4.7s and squatting 325 — and you've got a young prospect with current tools and serious projection. If he keeps developing his hands and adds more mass, Wade could become one of the top edge rushers in Arizona before long.     Thompson might not have the same flashy frame as some of the other top DLs in the class, but he makes up for it with strength, effort, and a really solid base of fundamentals. At 6'2” and 250 pounds, he's already moving serious weight in the weight room, and that raw power shows up on tape. He's got a quick first step, a slippery ability to knife through the trash, and the kind of relentless motor that keeps him in plays even when he's initially blocked. He's smart, physical, and constantly looking to disrupt, whether it's by getting into gaps or reading and reacting off blocks. Add in the flexibility and agility that's been there since the start, and it's clear there's a lot of long-term upside here. If he tightens up his pass-rush moves and continues adding explosiveness, Thompson can continue to evolve his game for the next three years.     Taueli is one of the more intriguing long-term defensive prospects in Arizona's 2028 class. He's got legit size at 6'5” and 220 pounds, and you can tell he's just starting to tap into what he could become. The length is the first thing that jumps off the screen — he covers a ton of ground and can get into passing lanes just by getting his hands up. He's shown good patience as an edge rusher and flashes some real raw strength at the point of attack, even when he's giving up weight. His recruitment is already underway with offers from Arizona and NAU, and there's reason to think more are coming. Once he starts playing with a little more aggression and adds mass to match his frame, Taueli could develop into a problem off the edge and a high-upside target for big schools.     [player_tooltip player_id='1707420' first='Motuhifonua' last='Ngaue-Stephenson'] might still be flying under the radar, but there's a lot to like about the Mesa High standout. At 6'3” and 230 pounds, he's built like a future college lineman and moves with surprising ease for his size. He's already picked up an offer from NAU, and it's easy to see why — he flies around, makes his presence felt, and brings legit strength at the point of attack. He has the footwork and toughness to contribute on both sides of the ball, but defensively, he just looks natural slipping through blocks and disrupting plays in the backfield. His length and leverage allow him to shed and redirect with ease. This is a prospect with upside worth tracking closely over the next couple seasons.

The 2028 rankings just dropped, and as always, there's plenty to dig into. We're kicking off our positional breakdowns with a look at the defensive linemen — the big men up front who are already causing problems for offenses around the state. From freakish length and early college offers to raw strength and nonstop motors, this group brings a little bit of everything to the table. Some are well on their way to becoming national names, while others are just starting to break out. Either way, these are five defensive linemen you'll want to keep an eye on.