2027 Rankings Review: Defensive Line Edition

<!-- wp:image {"id":2098013,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/image.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2098013" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up next in our 2027 Rankings review is the defensive line group that is loaded with kids expecting to play on Saturdays very soon. 12 prospects were included in our overall top 100 with [player_tooltip player_id='1311466' first='Chris' last='Whitehead'] catapulting to our Number 1 spot overall. Here is a breakdown on a few of the stars from this position group:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1170677"],"_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-6957d08547c00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1170677' first='Camden' last='Chalkley'] has remained in our top ten for the past year and deservedly so. Manchester's first team all region defensive end, Chalkley has over 10 division 1 offers and counting. We predicted his rise before the his sophomore campaign and he's paid it off. Chalkley is coming off a state playoff run that was perhaps cut shortly with Manchester's last second loss against Thomas Dale. He for sure looks motivated this off-season and will be a high priority target for many Power 4 schools this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/camden_chalkley/status/1993866377976008807?s=20","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/camden_chalkley/status/1993866377976008807?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311631"],"_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-6957d08547c69"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Benedictine College [player_tooltip player_id='1311631' first='Sean' last='Boyd'] jumped up to 31st overall and 5th for this position group after his junior season saw him collect 15 sacks and a state title. Boyd is one of the stronger humans in this class, he can squat 475 lbs. with ease. An all state wrestler as well, he is a beast at defensive tackle and cannot be blocked one on one. Curious to see how his off-season goes as I can imagine many Power 4 schools would want his services. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1170594"],"_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-6957d08547cb0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Radford's mauler [player_tooltip player_id='1170594' first='Reece' last='Honaker'] is looking more and more like a Big Ten lineman in my opinion. He too saw a small bump improving his stock from 45th to 41st overall. Honaker will get looks for his work on both sides off the line, he earned all region honors. He is a 6'3 and and 275 lbs., with more room to grow. Honaker has a long wingspan with a 4.0 GPA, would imagine after the portal season wraps up that he will get a number of offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1178325"],"_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-6957d08547cf1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1178325' first='Carter' last='Price'] was on a terror this past year, earning a bump from 85th to 81st overall. My colleague Cole Laing has been high on him for a minute and broke down his play last month:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Our highest ranked player on Craig County, Carter continued to prove himself on the DL, and this year became a key starter on the OL as well, earning 1st Team All Region on both sides of the ball.</em> <em>A physical player, who greatly improved his use of hands on his tape this fall. He finished the season with 72 TKLs, 15 TFLs, 4 Sacks, and 1 FF. He is also returning to our January 26 Showcase, and will have the interest of the college coaches there.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311633"],"_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-6957d08547d33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Atlee's [player_tooltip player_id='1311633' first='Patton' last='Cross'] is another guy we could of listed on either side of the line, as he is a master of his craft. Defensively he had 4 sacks to go along with 35 tackles, he is a mean cuss along Atlee's dline. Cross may have been playing his best ball as his season ended earning 2nd team all region honors. He is 6'3 and up to 280 lbs., it is not hard to picture him mauling opponents in the Big Ten or SEC very soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->