Five DL Breaking Out In The 2025 Season

We'll continue with my breakout player series for each position, regardless of classification or grade.   I finished the offense last week. Now, it's time to check out the other side, starting with the defensive line.   Headlining this list is FRA's [player_tooltip player_id='866750' first='Keilan' last='Neal'], who is having a fantastic season, followed by four other underclassmen. Three of whom are somewhat established, but one has potentially the highest ceiling of anyone on my top five, but is a raw prospect.   It was fun putting this list together. Now, let's get into it.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-21-2025-11-24-31-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1971386" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ensworth DL Khris Rice (#53). Photo by Ensworth Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   2028 DL Khris Rice – Ensworth   Khris Rice was added to the varsity team this season and has instantly been a big-time playmaker at defensive end.   He's added good weight and transformed his body to look the part in one of the toughest and most physical classifications in Tennessee.   At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, he's built well and has a long frame that you want as a defensive end. He also possesses great athleticism and bend off the edge, making him effective in all facets of the game.   Rice has excellent hands and quickness to get through or around offensive tackles.   He's also effective against the run, too, and has some outstanding traits that college coaches will love.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Photo-Sep-26-2025-10-15-47-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1911152" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: FRA DL [player_tooltip player_id='866750' first='Keilan' last='Neal']. Taken by Shayne Pickering, Prep Redzone.</figcaption></figure>   2027 DL [player_tooltip player_id='866750' first='Keilan' last='Neal'] – Franklin Road Academy   Neal is an absolute dog on the defensive front. He was a good player last season, but he's taken that next step in 2025 and is clearly one of the best players in Tennessee.   He possesses excellent size at 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds, complemented by plenty of athleticism.   The junior defensive lineman is a versatile player who can play anywhere on the line, but primarily lines up at defensive end.   He's good against the run, but excels at getting to the quarterback. Neal has become a much better pass-rusher this season and will likely rack up close to double-digit sacks.   The 2027 defensive lineman may be the most underrated player in Tennessee, but that should change soon. Neal possesses good athleticism, nice burst and is quick off the ball, while using his hands well.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/jpittman.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1352873" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA DL [player_tooltip player_id='902956' first='Justice' last='Pittman']. Photo by BGA Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   2027 DL [player_tooltip player_id='902956' first='Justice' last='Pittman'] – Battle Ground Academy   Battle Ground Academy's [player_tooltip player_id='902956' first='Justice' last='Pittman'] showed flashes of what he could become last season, but now, he has become more consistent and even elevated his game in some areas.   He's a dynamic defensive tackle who can jump outside and play end. Pittman is a large man, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 275 pounds, with plenty of strength in a lean frame.   He's excellent against the run, but can rush the passer well, too.   Pittman mainly plays inside, but he proved he can be versatile when he played defensive end against FRA earlier in the season. He's athletic, quick off the ball, has strong hands and attacks offensive linemen well.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/jstewart.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1692782" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Blackman DL [player_tooltip player_id='1409368' first='James' last='Stewart']. Photo by Blackman Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   2027 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1409368' first='James' last='Stewart'] – Blackman   Blackman's [player_tooltip player_id='1409368' first='James' last='Stewart'] has been impressive this year, as he has shown clear development from his sophomore season in 2024. He's added good weight, putting him at 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds.   Stewart does a great job of shutting down the run from his defensive tackle spot and is willing to take on multiple blockers to free up one of his teammates.   The 2027 recruit is a true anchor on the interior defensive front, keeping just about everyone from working up the middle.   He's an interior guy, but don't sleep on his pass-rush ability. Stewart is effective at pressuring the quarterback due to his twitch, great jump off the line and quick rush moves.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/dpauldo.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1700083" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rockvale DL [player_tooltip player_id='1675717' first='Dallas' last='Pauldo']. Photo by Rockvale Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   2027 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1675717' first='Dallas' last='Pauldo'] – Rockvale   [player_tooltip player_id='1675717' first='Dallas' last='Pauldo'] from Rockvale is an interesting prospect who's raw but has a very high ceiling. He already has FBS size, at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, with good bend off the edge.   He's elevated his play this year and has become one of the more productive defensive linemen in the mid-state, but there's room for improvement.   The junior is more of a run stuffer at the moment, but you can clearly see his pass-rush potential with his quickness, athleticism and twitch.   Once he develops further and incorporates that element into his game, he'll be one of the best players in the state.

We'll continue with my breakout player series for each position, regardless of classification or grade.