Spring Watchlist: 2027 Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Off-season training and weight-room activities are ongoing. Spring football and college camps are approaching. This report evaluates their 2025 season and current off-season development, and highlights ten defensive linemen from the class of 2027 to watch this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1258056"],"_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-698a3c484affe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1258056' first='Makel' last='Ward'] continues to fly under the radar in Arkansas. Add him to your recruiting board. He's physical and stout at the POA due to good lower body strength and an anchor ability. Ward is a high motor, sideline-to-sideline prospect who is a force in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/WardMakel/status/2014207859932729407?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/WardMakel/status/2014207859932729407?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2123884"],"_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-698a3c484b0ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2123884' first='Marquez' last='Cry'] is a breakout candidate for the 2026 season. He's a stout defensive tackle who will clog up running lanes. Cry can generate pressure from within as well. Keep an eye on him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CryLavonn/status/2017781659374948394?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/CryLavonn/status/2017781659374948394?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1323415"],"_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-698a3c484b12f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1323415' first='Cortez' last='Carter'] is another breakout candidate with a relentless approach. He displays good burst off the snap, effectively stretching the pocket and creating pressure on the quarterback. His quickness allows him to beat offensive linemen, both on the inside and along the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/cortez92114/status/1993019520974475464?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/cortez92114/status/1993019520974475464?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1324992"],"_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-698a3c484b1ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1324992' first='Cayden' last='Dye'] may be small in stature, but he brings power and motor to the trenches. Dye is stout at the point of attack, clogging up gaps and making plays at the LOS. He also displays strong upper- and lower-body strength to drive and pressure the quarterback. I expect him to take another leap i 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CaydenDye/status/1998442540765171852?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/CaydenDye/status/1998442540765171852?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1340841"],"_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-698a3c484b224"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1340841' first='Kai' last='Cambron'] is one of the bigger 0-3 techs in Arkansas's class of 2027. Cambron can quickly and effectively penetrate gaps and make plays in the backfield or become stout at the LOS. He can pressure the pocket with his strong bull rush, leveraging his good lower-body strength and length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - No Social Media Found</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">More to Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1199016' first='Aaden' last='Franklin'] (Monticello)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1586103' first='Eli' last='Thornton'] (Valley View)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1650019' first='Riley' last='Cox'] (Glen Rose)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1237288' first='Boosie' last='Hardaway'] (Newport)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1606692' first='Jeremiah' last='Goodman'] (Searcy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->