Building the Perfect Defensive Lineman in Tennessee: DII-AAA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tennessee high school football is loaded with talented defensive players, especially in Division II-AAA. From athleticism and run-stuffing to technique and pass-rush ability, several standouts bring unique traits to the field each Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this Prep Redzone scouting series, I'm building the ultimate player at each position and classification by combining the best size, skills, traits and intangibles from top prospects across the state. There's just one rule: each player can be used only once, unless necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next in the series, I'm doing Division II-AAA defensive linemen. By blending the best qualities of five different players, I've created the blueprint for the perfect defensive trench king in this class heading into the 2026 Tennessee football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2242233} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/kcovington.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2242233" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knox Catholic DL [player_tooltip player_id='2118712' first='Keagan' last='Covington'] on a visit to Missouri.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Frame: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2118712' first='Keagan' last='Covington'] – Knoxville Catholic High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are several players that I could have used for frame, but I've chosen [player_tooltip player_id='2118712' first='Keagan' last='Covington'] from Knoxville Catholic. Even as a rising junior, he has one of the top builds for his position in the state of Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 270 pounds with a long, lean frame that helps him dominate on the interior defensive line. Covington has a wild wingspan of nearly 79” with large hands and plenty of muscle. With his body, he could realistically play all over the defensive front, but is best suited at tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2248248} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/Photo-Jul-14-2026-9-45-14-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2248248" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Brentwood Academy DL [player_tooltip player_id='983676' first='Khris' last='Rice']. Photo from his X/Twitter.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Athleticism: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='983676' first='Khris' last='Rice'] – Brentwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='983676' first='Khris' last='Rice'] is one of the top defensive linemen in Tennessee, regardless of classification. He was highly productive in his two seasons at Ensworth, but will play his final two years at Brentwood Academy. The rising junior is a polished player, but the one thing that separates him from others is his athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has a good first step, excellent burst and looks to have become more explosive over the offseason. Rice is such a fluid mover for his position and size, allowing coaches to do so many things with his game. Adding him to an already loaded Brentwood Academy roster gives them the consensus No. 1 team in Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2177704} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Technique: 2027 Zach Fortin – McCallie School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zach Fortin does not get enough respect from people around the state, but he is poised to have a breakout senior campaign at McCallie. He's talented in several ways, but for this, I'm using his technique. The Blue Tornado has one of the best coaching staffs in Tennessee, so it makes sense that he is excellent at this.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive lineman plays with good pad level, has a quick first step off the line, knows how to use his leverage efficiently and has a nice bag of moves. He needed to develop in a few things over the offseason, and I think he has.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2177710} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pass-Rush Ability: 2029 Bogdan Cubja – Baylor School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bogdan Cubja announced this offseason that he would be transferring to play for Baylor School this upcoming season. Many aren't paying enough attention to the rising sophomore, but he is highly talented and should be an instant impact guy. For this article, I'm using his ability to get after the quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's one of the most athletic players in this classification, is explosive at all levels, has a strong bag of pass-rush moves, nice twitch and a strong motor that's unmatched. Cubja is a stud player who I think will impress people this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1598893} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/cheyharris.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1598893" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Lipscomb Academy DL [player_tooltip player_id='1030665' first='Cheyenne' last='Harris']. Photo from his X/Twitter @h56lywood.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Run Stuffing: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1030665' first='Cheyenne' last='Harris'] – Lipscomb Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1030665' first='Cheyenne' last='Harris'] has been one of the best defensive players in Tennessee over his first two seasons of high school football, but transferred during the offseason. He announced in May that he was going to Lipscomb Academy, where he gives them a big presence in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's an impressive run stuffer, and it starts with his frame. Harris stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 265 pounds with a powerful build that helps him clog running lanes. He's highly physical, plays with his head on a swivel, has a good motor, the ability to leverage his body well and good technique.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->