2029 Edge/DL Newcomers: Winter

Last week, we released our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2029-north-carolina-high-school-football-rankings/">updated 2029 rankings</a>, and we've been breaking down the class. We've interspersed pieces breaking down the newcomers and stock-risers with big-picture pieces analyzing the freshman class as a whole. After spending last week on the offense, we're moving to the defensive side of the ball. Here, we're evaluating every defensive lineman—both interior and edge rusher—who entered the rankings.   Editor's Note: If you missed our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/2029-offensive-stock-risers-winter/">Behind the Scenes</a> or "<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/3-things-to-know-about-the-2029-class-winter/">3 Things To Know</a>" about the 2029 class pieces, check them out.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newly-Ranked 2029 Defensive Linemen</h2>    Look to the future here, as Ayers didn't put up massive varsity numbers as a freshman in limited reps, but it's easy to see the trajectory. He's twitchy, strong, and relentless as a pass-rusher, three things that bode well for future production.     Tate is quite the athlete, and he excels against the run, already carving out a role on Country Day's varsity team. But he also has some flashes of elite pass-rushing potential, and that's what gives him his upside. He's still adjusting to the position and simply how to move with twitch. That will come, and is common for young interior pass-rushers. We love both his early production and future upside.     It's easy to see Johnson's upside, and there's almost no doubt he'll move up the rankings as he earns more varsity playing time. We actually made an exception for him with our typical "varsity film" rule in the rankings just based on how explosive and twitchy he is off the edge. Right now, he's a bit on the leaner side, but with his frame, it won't be difficult for him to add some good weight. If he ends up in the top 25, it wouldn't surprise me at all.     I promise Campbell is a freshman, even though you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at him or watching his film. He has impressive length and get-off, and he's physically ahead of some of the juniors and seniors he's facing. Look for him to rise in the rankings over the next few years as he refines his game.     It's not often that a team has multiple freshman contributors on the defensive line, and even more rare for both players to earn all-conference honors, but Hoke County did that. Bronson already has more than enough size and strength for the varsity level. He put up an impressive 12.5 tackles for loss in seven games, including 10 in his last four.     Playing defensive line on an 8-man team is not for the faint of heart, and Laws had an impressive season for Wake Christian. He's not the biggest guy yet, but he has plenty of strength and long arms, and it looks like he's in the process of putting on weight this offseason. He plays a lot as an interior guy, as Wake Christian plays plenty of two-lineman sets, and we think his skill set will have little issue translating to the next level.    This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, reevaluate prospects, and change our minds about players. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo Code Helms30 is good for 30% off your first billing cycle.

Last week, we released our updated 2029 rankings, and we've been breaking down the class. We've interspersed pieces breaking down the newcomers and stock-risers with big-picture pieces analyzing the freshman class as a whole. After spending last week on the offense, we're moving to the defensive side of the ball. Here, we're evaluating every defensive lineman—both interior and edge rusher—who entered the rankings.