Scouting The Top Defensive Linemen in Division II-AAA

A lot of prospects across Tennessee have emerged and etched their names as stars in their respective classifications. With the transfer portal calmed down, for now, I'm scouting the top players at each position in each class.   Next in this series, I'll discuss Division II-AAA defensive linemen. Here's a scouting report of my D-linemen in DII-AAA.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-21-2025-11-24-31-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1971386" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Brentwood Academy DE Khris Rice at his previous school. Photo by Ensworth Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   2028 Khris Rice – Brentwood Academy   Defensive lineman Khris Rice announced that he would be transferring to Brentwood Academy, in one of the biggest moves of the offseason. He's an impressive talent with all the physical tools, skills and traits, along with proven production. He was one of the best defensive players in Division II-AAA last season, with a lot of room to grow, which should scare opposing teams.   Rice offers good size, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 240 pounds in an athletic frame that's been built extremely well. He needs to add more weight, but that will come with two more years in a top high school strength-and-conditioning program. The rising junior has put up some impressive physical numbers, benching 295 pounds, squatting 425 and running a 4.97 40-yard dash.   He's not just impressive in the weight room; Rice has shown potential on the field against both the run and as a pass rusher. The 2028 prospect is quick off the ball, shows great technique, has good footwork, is highly physical and possesses strong football IQ that helps him make plays anywhere on the gridiron.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-21-2026-4-42-23-PM-crop-1320x867-1776807990.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2177704" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: McCallie DE Zach Fortin before a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   2027 Zach Fortin – McCallie School   Rising senior Zach Fortin did not see too much time at McCallie School last season, but he will be the top returning defensive lineman and is due for a big year. 2025 was his first season of high school football in America, but he flashed potential in five games as a reserve player for the Blue Tornado.   He offers good size, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 245 pounds, in a lean, athletic frame that allows him to move extremely well with solid bend for an edge rusher/defensive end. Fortin is solid against the run, doing a good job of taking up blocks and clogging lanes to leave the back in no man's land. However, his most impressive skill is rushing the passer.   The 2027 prospect is highly athletic, with a great first step that gives him an advantage over most offensive linemen. He has solid technique and a relentless motor that allow him to always find the ball carrier. There are several times on tape where he may not beat the opposition early, but his impressive motor takes over, and they cannot stop him.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/kcovington.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2161564" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knox Catholic DL [player_tooltip player_id='2118712' first='Keagan' last='Covington'] on his visit to Virginia Tech.</figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2118712' first='Keagan' last='Covington'] – Knoxville Catholic School   [player_tooltip player_id='2118712' first='Keagan' last='Covington'] transferred from Morristown West to Knox Catholic in what was one of the most impactful moves of the offseason. He's been a productive player in his two seasons at the high school level, totaling 65 tackles, 14 for a loss and six sacks in 19 games, but is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential.   He possesses excellent size, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 270 pounds, in a lean, athletic frame that's perfectly suited for high-level college football. Covington is strong while maintaining his movement and athleticism. He also has long arms and big hands, giving him the prototypical P4 body as a rising junior.   The 2028 prospect is physically dominant at his defensive tackle position, getting off the ball well with a solid first step and the strength to drive players into their own backfield. So many times last season, he put an offensive guard into his quarterback's lap, or just flat-out beat them off the snap, then made plays by himself. He's also effective against the run, allowing coaches to leave him in all three downs.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-21-2026-4-44-33-PM-crop-1320x867-1776808099.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2177707" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Christian Brothers DE [player_tooltip player_id='1402723' first='William' last='Umsted'] during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1402723' first='William' last='Umsted'] – Christian Brothers High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1402723' first='William' last='Umsted'] is one of the more underground players in Tennessee, but he has FBS potential with his size, raw skills and traits that cannot be taught. The rising senior played in nine games this past season, totaling a decent number of tackles and several sacks, showcasing his potential as a defensive end.   He offers solid size, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 240 pounds, in an incredibly athletic frame that allows him to be very fluid. Umsted moves well in the trenches, but has excellent speed for a player of his size and position, notching a 4.89 40-yard dash time just over a month ago. It may not seem crazy, but being able to move that quickly with the tools he has at his disposal will go a long way.   Umsted offers solid pass-rush upside, recording multiple last season while pressuring the passer at a decent clip. But I love what he brings to the table as a run stuffer. Not only does he clog up run lanes and keep offensive linemen from getting to the next level, but he's one of the best in Tennessee at shedding blocks to make plays in the backfield.   Not many linemen have been able to contain him, yet he does not get the attention other players do. He must polish up certain parts of his game, but Umsted's potential screams productive role player at the FBS level.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-21-2026-4-35-07-PM-crop-1170x768-1776808248.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2177710" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Baylor DE Bogdan Cubja (#7) at his previous school in Canada. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   2029 Bogdan Cubja – Baylor School   Bogdan Cubja announced earlier this year that he would be transferring to Baylor School for the next three seasons. It's a big-time move for a player who should be an immediate impact guy on the Red Raiders' defensive front. He was one of the best Canadian football players for his age, but he is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.   He has unbelievable size for his age and position, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 235 pounds, with a lean frame that allows him to move at a high level. Not only does he offer that fluidity, but he's very strong and is physical in the trenches, all things that will translate well to the American game.   Cubja is a good run defender, often blowing past offensive linemen with his speed and quick first step. He's also shown the ability to fight off blocks and even drive players into their own backfield. I also love his pass-rush upside with his technique, strong hands and relentless motor. He needs to develop in certain areas, but he has P4 potential.

A lot of prospects across Tennessee have emerged and etched their names as stars in their respective classifications. With the transfer portal calmed down, for now, I'm scouting the top players at each position in each class.