Deep Dive: Top 6 IDLs in Johnston/Harnett County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to the second half of March, where we're turning the corner in our Deep Dives series and moving to the defensive side of the ball. We've already covered over 150 offensive prospects in the RDU area, and we expect to cover just as many on the defense. Here, we're looking at a fun group of Johnston/Harnett County interior defensive linemen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best IDLs in Johnston/Harnett County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: The ranked defensive linemen are listed in order from first to sixth. Other names are in no particular order. Rankings reflect a combination of 2025 production and predicted 2026 impact.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other Johnston/Harnett County Deep Dives:<br></em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/johnston-harnett-county-qb-deep-dive/">QBs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-7-rbs-in-johnston-harnett-county/">RBs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-5-wrs-in-johnston-harnett-county/">WRs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-10-tes-in-rdu/">RDU TEs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-8-ol-in-wake-county/">OL</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2151396"],"_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-69b833890a965"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hinton has great athleticism for a big guy, and he showed that off when he blocked a punt last season. He's the top returning interior pass-rusher in Johnston County, with 5.5 sacks last season. He has a quick first-step and he's shown the ability to not only push the pocket, but to finish plays once he gets into the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1658476"],"_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-69b833890a9ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown's raw stats don't tell the whole story of his impact on the game. He excels at tying up offensive linemen, eating double-teams, and opening things up for his linebackers. Brown has some pass-rushing upside, as evidenced by his 2.5 sacks as a sophomore. Brown is more than a big body, and we think he could create some momentum on the recruiting trail this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1703195"],"_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-69b833890aa41"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McNeill moves remarkably well for a guy his size, so much so that he's able to kick out to the edge in certain situations. His get-off is excellent, allowing him to beat offensive linemen to their spot. He's aggressive once he gets in the backfield, and his lower sack numbers don't tell the story of his disruption as a pass-rusher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2100550"],"_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-69b833890aa88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a defense that loses a lot of its best players, Hunt is one of the few key returners, and he'll be counted upon to continue to step up. The second-team all-conference defensive tackle could be in for a big season, as he spent a lot of last season adjusting to his new playing weight. With another full offseason, he should come back faster, stronger, and ready to take the next step in his development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Waltereke Gunn","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Harnett Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b833890ab42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gunn had six sacks last season for an emerging Harnett Central defensive line that returns several playmakers. He's not a one-trick pony, and he flashed against the run as well, with 12.5 tackles for loss. If that defensive line continues to develop, the Trojans could be in line for a marked improvement in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jamarion Jones","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"265","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Overhills","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b833890abda"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones moves well and creates chaos in the backfield. He had a few games this season in which he and the talented Overhills defensive line took over. As he continues to grow, if he can maintain his initial speed and quickness, he'll be even more dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Names To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ashem Afubu</strong> | Harnett Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1858054' first='Kaiden' last='Melvin']</strong> | Cleveland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shawn Reese</strong> | South Johnston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, re-evaluate 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. Deep Dives continue over the coming weeks before our spring rankings update.</em><br><strong><br></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->