Deep Dive: Top 6 IDLs in Wake County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March has been heavy on <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-8-ol-in-wake-county/">deep dives</a>, and over the last two weeks, we've broken down the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-10-tes-in-rdu/">top players in 11 counties</a>, covering over 150 prospects in the RDU area, all on the offensive side of the ball. We're kicking off the back half of March by shifting our focus to the defensive side of the ball. Here are the top six interior defensive linemen in Wake County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Interior Defensive Linemen in Wake County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: The ranked defensive linemen are listed in order from first to sixth. Rankings reflect a combination of 2025 production and predicted 2026 impact.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other Wake County Deep Dives:<br></em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/wake-county-qb-deep-dive/">QBs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-7-wake-county-rbs/">RBs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-10-wrs-in-wake-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":["1158999"],"_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-69b80712d6eb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilbert's a guy we've had on the radar for a while, but he really put it all together during a breakout 2025 campaign. He racked up 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks, both best in the county among returning interior guys. He's put on some good weight and carries that well, able to shoot gaps or hold up at the point of attack so his linebackers can clean up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1969827"],"_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-69b80712d6f63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">These rankings are based on high school position and production, not college projection, so the slimmer Atunku makes the list on the interior. Cary plays a ton of 3-4 and 3-3-5 looks, matching Atunku up against both guards anad tackles. His strength at 220 is impressive and he can not only crash gaps, but also hold off bigger linemen. His turnover production is impressive, and he's a force when he gets in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1679959"],"_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-69b80712d6fd6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Robinson isn't known for his pass-rushing abilities, but there are few—if any—run-stoppers as proven as the Southeast Raleigh defensive tackle. Despite his size, he frequently kicks out to the five-technique, and can match up directly over linemen or use his get-off to blow up gaps. Robinson isn't going to make headlines, but he's so important to the Southeast Raleigh defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2151238"],"_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-69b80712d7030"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hicks is one of my favorite interior linemen to watch in that he's neither the biggest nor the quickest guy in the world, but his hands are violent and his play strength is ridiculous. He'll frequently stonewall offensive linemen with his hands and throw them aside with shocking ease. His length keeps linemen off his body, and allows his linebackers to flow unabated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["892101"],"_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-69b80712d7099"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allen has massive potential, and the depth chart opens up for him to have a breakout sophomore season. The top-ranked interior lineman in our 2029 rankings, Allen had a quietly impressive freshman season as a rotational player on one of the state's best defenses. Now, the quick, strong interior defender is likely penciled in as a starter, and he has 5+ sack upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2151239"],"_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-69b80712d710e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Frieary probably isn't the first, second, or even third guy you think of on Cardinal Gibbons' talented defense, but his impact goes beyond the box score. He has strong hands and a powerful lower half, giving him a powerful bull rush. He started to flash some other pass-rushing moves down the stretch, and as he refines his technique, he's a potential breakout candidate in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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.&nbsp;Deep Dives continue over the coming weeks before our spring rankings update.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->