2026 Rankings Review Defensive Line 1-5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our top five defensive linemen are eager and ready, switching from the oline this group is very deep also. 15 players cracked the top 100 and over 20 in the top 200. The 2026 defensive linemen are here to take notice, the top five are below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402770"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-666cb9291dbc5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year I told you to expect Richardson to get offers when his sophomore season completed and I was correct. Since we last spoke about our top defensive lineman he has picked over 10 FBS offers and counting. Virginia Tech, West Virginia, East Carolina and Old Dominion are a few of many who have pulled the trigger for Varina's superstar. The first team all-metro linemen is quietly emerging as a top star in all of Virginia. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He did not disappoint in his sophomore campaign notching 86 tackles and 6 sacks. Richardson is very quick and explosive off the snap, it makes sense that he had 24 tackles for losses, just a wrecking ball from play to play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Feedabull21/status/1801692975166005430","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Feedabull21/status/1801692975166005430 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1149060"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-666cb9291dc6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Recently picking up his second FBS offer, George Washington's [player_tooltip player_id='1149060' first='Christopher' last='Law'] checks in as our 2nd ranked defensive lineman and 27th overall. Law's recruiting momentum is just gaining steam and with the contact period coming to an end in a few hours, expect his offers to multiply.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Love how he eats double teams and fends off blockers, he will transition well at the next level. An outstanding first step off the ball, Law is going to be a matchup problem this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ChrisLaw20081/status/1797761656602394745","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChrisLaw20081/status/1797761656602394745 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["853777"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-666cb9291dcdd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Green Run's [player_tooltip player_id='853777' first='Kamren' last='Johnson'] gets after you and plays the game with a high football IQ, that does not go unnoticed. Long reach and strength at defensive end, Johnson can beat you with speed and power on the outside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Kamnrex/status/1783165244606435679","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Kamnrex/status/1783165244606435679 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402758"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-666cb9291dd49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Corbin has been on my radar for a minute and trust me he will be on several coaches too tomorrow. Coming in as our 4th ranked dlineman and 34th overall this young man can play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has five FBS offers already and is expect to have significantly more after this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/53christianc/status/1787546409325187505","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/53christianc/status/1787546409325187505 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["853102"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-666cb9291ddb5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Cross has studs all over the field and our 5th ranked defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='853102' first='Nathan' last='Hayes'] is no exception. Ranking 35th overall he is going to be a highly sought out prospect by many FBS recruiters. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/NateHayes56/status/1730047687670550618","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NateHayes56/status/1730047687670550618 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->