Top 5 DL Rooms in Tennessee for 2026 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 high school football season inside the state of Tennessee has come to an end and the focus now turns to who returns for the 2026 season next year.<br><br>While there will be a lot of moving parts with risers, fallers and even transfers, we begin to take a look at which teams have the best room at each position group in the days leading up to Christmas.<br><br>Today, we continue the series with taking a look at the top five defensive line units inside the state of Tennessee for the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1.) Franklin Road Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FRA returns one of the best group of overall line talent and that includes along the defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1976455064068948057?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1976455064068948057?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers return a ton of experience, production and talent to this next squad led by rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='866750' first='Keilan' last='Neal'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neal is a physical force in every single game and can make plays along the entire line of scrimmage with a lean 6-foot-2 and 275 pound frame. He is one of the top returning defensive line prospects in the entire state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1665616' first='Dhillon' last='Booker'] is primed for a breakout next season as a sophomore and continues to add to a strong frame each week. He has good size and is physical, athletic and violent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2002534295232262384?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2002534295232262384?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fellow 2029 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1720171' first='Jaxon' last='Hannold'] is a massive lineman already at 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds and effectively stepped up at the nose tackle position as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a year of experience under their belts, Booker and Hannold will help build a strong trio to anchor the defensive line with several veterans rotating in around them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2.) Battle Ground Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BGA loses an anchor of their defensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='866788' first='Nate' last='Fleming'] graduating, but there was a lot of underclass talent up front the team last year that can take an even bigger step forward in the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='902956' first='Justice' last='Pittman'] is the leader of the unit and has the frame plus athleticism to be a problem for every single offensive lineman he faces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Able to play all the way from the edge to the nose tackle position with his 6-foot-2 and 290 pound frame makes him one of the more exciting prospects in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1996708157658112008?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1996708157658112008?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1177837' first='Ayden' last='Woodruff'] is one of the 2028 recruits with the most potential in the entire nation and he took a massive step forward throughout the year in his first season playing a serious role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has a massive yet lean frame which allows for him to maintain a highly explosive skillset. So far, this has allowed him to be a versatile pass rushing weapon, but with another offseason, he should become more consistent as a run defender in which he flashed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1971996498394337634?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/1971996498394337634?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='906623' first='Will' last='Copeland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='902961' first='Jayden' last='Cannon'] combined for a handful of sacks and should collectively take another step forward off the edge in their senior seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3.) Page High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Page line of scrimmage talent was insane last year, and while they will be losing a lot of size and production, they will also be returning players that are more than ready to step up in bigger roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liam Perry consistently flashed his abilities playing opposite of [player_tooltip player_id='1178947' first='Cohen' last='Grissom'] this season and will be the primary impact player off the edge for next year. He fits the mold of solid length with a lean, strong frame that can work upfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/liamperry_2027/status/1959635344409964671?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/liamperry_2027/status/1959635344409964671?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joining him off the edge will be fast-rising 2028 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1801346' first='Taylen' last='Cisneros'], who will play both edge and linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He constantly flashed when rotating in a near two-deep of Division One talents in the front seven, all of which were older than him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/connersmith04/status/1989513338716655975?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/connersmith04/status/1989513338716655975?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As those two players man the edge, the Patriots plenty of size along the interior to fill gaps and clog rushing lanes. Next season should be another strong year up front for the coaching staff.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4.) Baylor High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baylor loses [player_tooltip player_id='1210664' first='Jayden' last='Arenas-Michel'], which is a brutal loss as he was the glue of the unit, but there is a plethora of younger talent that has gotten experience next to him during this past season especially.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1357924' first='Hans' last='Emery Julien'] could take the step to being one of the best edge rushers in the state next season and will see his recruitment interests continue to elevate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/emery00_/status/1993183130505953326?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/emery00_/status/1993183130505953326?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1133950' first='Cash' last='Freeman'] is an effective nose tackle that can constantly win the leverage battle in the A gaps throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1753840' first='Maddox' last='McClure'] offers great size and athleticism and the rising senior truly broke out in the state championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That development is huge for the room and could elevate it to another level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1201841' first='Braxton' last='Rein'], [player_tooltip player_id='1704258' first='Dante' last='Wade'] and 2030 prospect Key Lewis Jr offer length up front that can impact the game in different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5.) East Nashville High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Nashville loses their top producer and one of the most underrated players in the state as [player_tooltip player_id='1704958' first='Jevon' last='Carter'] graduates, but they return a lot of young talent up front that has had to play for a very long time now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The star of the group would be 2028 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1565681' first='Devin' last='Phillips'] who is big, violent and has good athleticism to complement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He lined up all over the front and can completely change games with his natural ability up front, which has led to a handful of Power Four offers already coming his way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/lonestardevo/status/1999907947229413852?s=46","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/lonestardevo/status/1999907947229413852?s=46 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Terry Bowden and [player_tooltip player_id='1571426' first='Gonni' last='Martin'] offer great size at the nose tackle position with the ability to work upfield and collapse the interior of the offensive line, which only freed Phillips up more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Surrounding that talent, there is several players who have the chance to take another step forward with more opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Nashville had a strong collection of young trench talent this past season and those players are going to be a year older next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->