2029 Defensive Line Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We released a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2029-north-carolina-high-school-football-rankings/">2029 rankings update</a> last Monday, and we're diving into new player evaluations for the sophomore class. We added 44 players to the database in this update, so we have plenty of guys to write about. After going <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/10/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2029-rankings-update-midseason/">behind the scenes</a>, it's time to look at the newly added interior defensive linemen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which 2029 DL Were Added to the Rankings?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2409233"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adec454627c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cole is the son of a long-time NFL defensive lineman, and you can see that in the way he plays the game. He's not just a big body. As a pass-rusher, he has impressive lane integrity, which keeps quarterbacks in the pocket. Already a powerful run-stuffer, he has a fantastic combination of size, strength, and quickness. We love what we've seen so far and think he'll continue to impress as he gets older.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2408807"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adec4546282c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ogbonna has come out of nowhere to be one of the top interior pass-rushers in the state, with 10 sacks for a dominant Franklinton defense. He has the length and first step to play on the inside or off the edge, and has a frame that can hold more weight. We envision him playing on the interior long-term, as long as he adds some weight and continues to refine his technique against the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2454897"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adec45462879"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Any sophomore getting varsity snaps, no matter how many, is a player worth knowing. Jackson can shoot gaps thanks to a quick first step, and he has the power to hold up when engaged. Hough's defensive tackles don't have the recognition guys at other positions have, but Jackson—like the rest of the group—does a great job of clogging up running lanes and keeping his linebackers clean.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2454857"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adec454628c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mallard Creek has several talented interior defensive linemen, and Murray joins them in the rankings after flashing his potential. As a freshman on the junior varsity team, Murray actually played a lot of stand-up edge rusher, a testament to his athleticism. He has the frame to add plenty of clean weight, and should be a highly athletic interior pass-rusher for the Mavericks over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2454336"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adec45462905"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nesmith can play on the interior or the edge, and while he played as a freshman, he's really popped as a sophomore. He's had opposing quarterbacks under duress this season with six sacks and a number of pressures. He plays a lot of 3-4 defensive end, and I personally think he'll bulk up and play on the interior by his senior year. Either way, he's productive, long, and athletic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2429352"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adec45462949"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rowell is a stout run-stuffer with excellent potential on a solid SouthLake defense. He's cracked the rotation, and while he hasn't played a ton, he has some excellent highlights on tape. He's in the rankings after some varsity tape, but he's more a guy we're keeping an eye on for the future, as we think he could be a top interior defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There's plenty to come from Matt Morrow, Zane Rowland, and me on the 2029 rankings over the next week. Stay locked in with Prep Redzone for more insights, evaluations, and rankings updates. Want to get in front of our Prep Redzone scouts? Sign up for our <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2586/register/stock-up-showcase-carolinas">Stock Up Showcase</a>. Use code <strong>SUHelms25OFF</strong> for 25% off registration</em>.<a href="https://prepredzone.com/app/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->