Five 2028 DL To Keep An Eye On

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We just looked at the offensive linemen, and now, it's time to flip to the other side of the ball as we start the defensive part of my 2028 series.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are many talented sophomore defenders in Tennessee; several reside on the line. Today, we'll look at five defensive linemen to watch as they grow into what could be excellent prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1177837' first='Ayden' last='Woodruff'] from BGA is the top name, but there are four more who fall behind him and have high ceilings as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1177837"],"_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-68c9ef2312de4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There are many words you can use to describe Woodruff, but I'll go with a six-letter one: baller. He's a massive human who's strong, has nice athleticism and is very physical. Woodruff is good in any situation, but his ability to take away the run game stands out to me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive lineman throws people around like it's nothing, and always is there to make a play when BGA needs it. There are a few minor things he can correct, but he's the No.1 DL in the state for a reason. Woodruff is a Power Four lock and someone who could even become a consensus top 100 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1565681"],"_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-68c9ef2312e52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I watched [player_tooltip player_id='1565681' first='Devin' last='Phillips'] earlier in the season and liked what I saw. The East Nashville Eagle has impressive size and strength for his age, while moving fairly well. Even for a nose tackle, his hand placement, technique and rush moves are crisp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's aggressive and can fight off multiple blocks at a time to make something happen, but is patient enough to be a guy who draws attention so the rest of his defense can make plays. Phillips is a well-rounded player who should improve with two more years to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1587395"],"_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-68c9ef2312ea4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1587395' first='Kenneth' last='Benn'] is an intriguing prospect who needs to develop and work on certain things, but the raw talent is there. He's a big guy who can play inside or as a defensive end with great strength, a good get-off and nice pass rush moves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's shown progression from his freshman year and looks more fluid as a sophomore. I like his ability to shed blocks and find his way in the backfield to make a play, proving he can be productive in multiple ways. I'd like to see Benn work on his pad level and bend, but anyone can see the potential from a mile away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1032139"],"_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-68c9ef2312ef3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1032139' first='Drake' last='Hickman'] is an electric player for the Westview Chargers. After posting an excellent freshman season in 2024, he's looked even better this year. The big interior lineman is straight-up dominant against the run, showing a remarkable ability to get off blocks and into the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's quick off the ball, has nice hand placement and technique, while being extremely physical and fighting through whoever tries to block him. Hickman is solid as a pass rusher and has good speed and athleticism for an interior guy. I'm a massive fan of this player and am excited to see how he progresses over the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1030665"],"_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-68c9ef2312f42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pearl Cohn's [player_tooltip player_id='1030665' first='Cheyenne' last='Harris'] is a player who sticks out to me as an interior defensive lineman. I like his size as a sophomore, and of course, he'll continue to grow. He does his job well as an inside guy by clogging the run lanes, taking on multiple blocks and creating negative plays in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harris is powerful and shows nice technique to get around offensive linemen. His rush defense sticks out, but don't sleep on his ability to get after the quarterback. He has a solid repertoire of pass rush moves that allow him to blow up plays for losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->