2028 Rankings: Defensive Lineman Are Deep And Talented

Editor's note: Prep RedZone's Spring Rankings Update window means savings for you. Throughout the entirety of the cycle, you can save 40% off an annual or two-year subscription by using the offer code “Guerin40” at checkout. This will unlock all rankings and subsequent content at the discounted rate. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Get in the game here.</a>   The defensive front in high school football is forever evolving. You have true interior guys that might not rack up the gaudy stats of some others, but coaches and teammates alike understand how valuable they might be to the total scheme.   Then you have true edge guys whose job is to be a disruptive force in the backfield and make the quarterback miserable in the process. And that usually means you see underclassmen dominate on the high school level.   But we have 31 players ranked that have proven they've already been a force and are likely only going to get better. Some of these players are also two-way standouts but their development along the defensive front is going to be key to their success and their team's success.   Here's a list of defensive linemen and a breakdown of the Top 5, Sleepers and Stock Risers for the 2028 Class.    BREAKING DOWN THE TOP 5   [player_tooltip player_id='2098782' first='Nasir' last='Walker'] AC Flora   Walker is exploding up the charts and there's an easy reason to see why. He's disruptive, can set the edge and lives in opposing offensive backfields. He finished 2025 with 21 tackles for loss and 12 sacks but we think those numbers can improve under first-year AC Flora coach Willie Offord. Walker has a quick first step, plays with a high motor and can use strength or technique as warranted.   [player_tooltip player_id='403133' first='Christian' last='Webb-Scott'] Westside   Webb-Scott showed in his first season at Westside what others had already seen from him. He's a violent defender that plays under control and with purpose. He uses hand placement and strong interior moves to fend off blockers. Most of his tackles come in the backfield or near the line of scrimmage but he's athletic enough to run down ball carriers as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615105' first='Kermit' last='Davis'] Stratford   Davis is the third edge defender in the Top 10 of the 2028 Class. He's already been a two-year contributor for the Knights, and he should step fully into a leadership role this coming season. He's another player that comes off the ball quickly, but he can mix in power moves with the best of them. He's 6-foot-2, 210 pounds and if he could add 15-20 pounds of good weight, the sky could be the limit to his success.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615021' first='Dexter' last='Chavous'] Summerville   Chavous is the first true interior defender in the group and he's nearly impossible to move out of the way. Chavous is a two-way player (also plays offensive line) for the Green Wave but was plugged in to be a huge run-stopper at the end of the 2025 season. He's strong enough to overpower the blocker in front of him but he also makes good use of his hand placement and technique. The more he plays on defense, the better he's going to become.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113328' first='Bron'Zeir' last='Nicholson'] Northwestern   The fact that we have five defensive linemen in our Top 20 of this Class shows exactly how deep this position is. Nicholson made his first season as a starter for the Trojans a memorable one as they claimed their second straight Class 5A, Division II state championship. He was immovable and made players around him that much better because he took up multiple blockers a lot of the time.    SLEEPERS NO MORE   [player_tooltip player_id='1467822' first='Josh' last='Evans'] Mauldin   There's having a quick first step then there's having the type of burst that Evans displays. He's fluid and gets around blockers quickly and a lot of time with ease. Mauldin has a background in wrestling and that usually translates well to a defensive line position. If his first move doesn't get him past his blockers, he's usually crafty and strong enough to find another way.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615102' first='Jay'Sean' last='Culp'] Lewisville   We saw enough of Culp for him to make a considerable jump in our rankings. He's coming off a season in which he had 120 tackles, 36 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. That's about as disruptive as you can be as an edge defender. A lot of times, it wasn't fair for the player assigned to try and slow Culp down. He's slender but deceptively powerful and that makes him a hard one to block.   [player_tooltip player_id='1644552' first='Ari' last='Rendell'] Sumter   The Gamecocks have a new coach in Drew Marlowe and Rendell is going to be a good place for him to start. The 6-foot-6, 240-pounder is explosive and loves contact as much as anyone. He plays with good motor and high aggression, which translates well to his defensive front position. But he is also versatile and is an asset at tight end with his blocking ability, size and hands. He was coming into his own at the end of 2025, and he could be one to watch closely in 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1856928' first='JaBron' last='McFadden'] Wilson   At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, McFadden (pictured above) is an intriguing prospect as he heads into his junior season. He's shown flashes of greatness and the more consistent he becomes, the more teams are going to have to scheme to try and run away from him. But he plays with a nasty streak and can take over at times. He's explosive and makes plays all over the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820344' first='Jayson' last='Arrieta'] Hilton Head   Arrieta isn't the tallest defensive lineman, but he's not let that slow him in flexing his presence. He missed some time in 2025 but was a productive force when he was in the lineup. He covers his area well and that will free up linebackers and other defenders to make tackles, but he engages one or more offensive linemen on a lot of occasions. He's hard to move and that makes him an asset against the run.    PRIMED TO RISE   [player_tooltip player_id='1822773' first='Varr' last='Thompson'] Chester   Thompson is still a little raw, but we think the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder can develop into an elite defender. He has long arms and uses his hand placement to his advantage currently. He's quick and typically his first move is the hardest for a blocker to control. He reads and reacts to plays quickly and that's an asset that is hard to coach but it comes natural for Thompson.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818942' first='Cory' last='Collins'] Hillcrest   Collins got a taste of the varsity level last season but he's going to be fully immersed in it this season. He plays on the interior, and we feel like he's going to end up being bigger than his current 6-foot-2, 260 pounds. He's still learning but we believe he can reach a high caliber performer before it's all said and done. He's quick and can fight through being engaged with a blocker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818365' first='Kameron' last='Geathers'] Fort Dorchester   Geathers is another player that is under 6-foot (he's 5-foot-11) but has shown impressive results in his short time playing on Friday nights. He's already shown flashes of being quick with overpowering moves, but we think he's just scratched the surface so far. The Patriots are hoping for a bounce back season and Geathers would be a good starting point on the defensive front.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821088' first='Nehemiah' last='Lomax'] Christ Church Episcopal   Lomax is another player on this list that's going to play both defensive and offensive lines. He's probably more polished on the offensive side of things right now but we think his development on defense is going to skyrocket as he gets more reps. He's tall and well built at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds and while still raw, he's shown good hands and feet, which typically translate well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816220' first='Evan' last='Floyd'] Socastee   The quickness and explosiveness from the line of scrimmage is very apparent. Plus, he never gives up on a play no matter where the ball might be. He's relentless and is comfortable putting his hand in the dirt as he is as a standup defensive end. He's got long arms despite being less than 6-foot tall and he uses that leverage and hand-fighting ability to his advantage. We expect he's only going to get better with time.

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