5 2027 IDLs Who Have Impressed Early

We've been hitting the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/predicting-winners-and-mvps-for-every-top-10-matchup-in-the-east/">preview</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/monday-musings-week-3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> parts of North Carolina's 2026 high school football season, and we're also taking the time to highlight <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/5-union-county-offensive-linemen-impressing-early/">underappreciated players</a>. We've been looking through positions that don't get as much notoriety, especially in the week-to-week rhythm of the season. Here, we're looking at five impressive interior defensive linemen who have stepped up as seniors.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which Interior Defensive Linemen Have Impressed as Seniors?</h2>    Despite being undersized, Butler is often tasked with eating double teams and freeing up a strong linebacker group. As a senior, though, he's blossomed into a standout pass rusher, too. With four sacks through three games, he's become a feared rusher, and he's a big part of the reason Franklinton's defense is allowing fewer than 14 points per game.     We put DeBerry on our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/preseason-all-breakout-defense/">All-Breakout Defense</a>, so we were ready for his big season. Still, we've been impressed. Tarboro once again loaded its non-conference schedule, and the Vikings have gone toe-to-toe with several bigger schools. That typically means struggles in the trenches, but DeBerry has flat-out dominated. Against 5A Havelock, he had four sacks and the rare big-man interception. His profile might say watchlist, but he won't be there when it's time to update rankings.     Though he's a veteran with plenty of varsity experience, Phinazee has really upped his game as a senior. He's approaching his career-high in tackles for loss and has already exceeded the three sacks he put up in each of the last two seasons. Perhaps most impressively, he's not pressing. He's doing his 1/11 most of the time, eating up space and freeing up his linebackers. In doing so, he's also blowing up his fair share of running plays and getting after the quarterback.     Robinson transferred into Southeast Raleigh, and before the season, I thought he could prove to be one of the Bulldogs' most important players. The team occasionally struggled against the run, especially against dual-threat quarterbacks. Robinson made his mark immediately and has 11 tackles for loss in three games. He's a strong defender on the inside, but he's remarkably quick as well. While playing a lot of nose tackle, he's been throwing interior offensive linemen around as he continues to impress.     Sturdivant has taken a big step forward after flashing a bit in the last few years. He's extremely quick, but he's become smarter as a pass rusher as a senior, and he's starting to convert more of his wins into sacks and tackles for loss. The senior is part of a talented Hickory Grove defensive line on a team that is off to a great start. The defense is a big part of that, and Sturdivant is making his presence felt.    We'll have more on overlooked players throughout the state this season. Follow Prep Redzone for coverage of regions, areas, teams, and players from across the entire state. What did we miss? Who needs to be highlighted? Help us help players, and let me know on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>).

We've been hitting the preview and analysis parts of North Carolina's 2026 high school football season, and we're also taking the time to highlight underappreciated players. We've been looking through positions that don't get as much notoriety, especially in the week-to-week rhythm of the season. Here, we're looking at five impressive interior defensive linemen who have stepped up as seniors.