2028 Defensive Line Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We released our updated <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2028-rankings/">2028 class rankings</a> last Monday, a list that includes 58 newcomers from the sophomore class, pushing our total ranked players to 281. I looked at some of the numbers driving the update in my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2028-rankings-update-january/">Behind the Scenes</a> piece, then looked at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/3-things-to-know-about-the-2028-class/">three things to know</a> about the class as a whole. Now, it's one of my favorite pieces, the newcomers. Here, we're evaluating every new defensive lineman in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>P.S. If you missed the defensive line stock-risers piece (Players already in the rankings who moved up), <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/january-stock-risers-2028-defensive-line/">check it out.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newly-Ranked 2028 Offensive Linemen</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1354435"],"_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-6980cfd0daa0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Green played a lot of 3-4 defensive end for Asheville, but we think he could be a future interior lineman. He made a ton of his plays on stunts and has the strength to go toe-to-toe with interior offensive linemen. He moves well and he has excellent length to keep offensive linemen from getting to his body. An all-conference selection, Green's upside is high and his development will be key.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2113128"],"_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-6980cfd0daad1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We don't know a ton about Owens, but his name kept popping up among the Triad's best defenders in 2025, and we're excited to continue to scout the high-motor interior defender. He racked up 7.5 sacks in 2025 while playing in a competitive Central Carolina Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2112032"],"_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-6980cfd0dab2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While he primarily plays off the edge, we could see Smith eventually growing into a primarily interior player, due to his play strength and rush lane discipline. Like several of the guys added to the rankings this update, Smith never had an acclimation period: he went from the JV team as a freshman to being one of Hickory Ridge's most important varsity players as a sophomore. I'm interested to see how Smith develops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2070548"],"_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-6980cfd0dab99"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Simmons is another athletic interior defender who went from an extremely limited role as a freshman to an impact lineman as a sophomore. He's 240, but has the strength of a much bigger player, and his film has plenty of plays of him tossing offensive linemen aside. He played on the interior in four-man fronts, but bounced outside in 3-4 looks. His quickness makes him a high-upside pass-rusher with the strength to be an every down player against the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2112036"],"_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-6980cfd0dac00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vann had a massive impact despite rotating within Grimsley's deep defensive line, with four sacks and nine tackles for loss last season. He's not the biggest interior lineman, but he's strong and relentless, often fighting through double teams to make plays. There's some serious upside here, as Vann has the frame to add more weight and should see an increased role in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2061057"],"_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-6980cfd0dac4d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Rowan County Defensive Player of the Year had a breakout season for West Rowan, racking up over 70 tackles and five sacks as a defensive lineman and even intercepting a pass. He parlayed that huge sophomore performance into an early East Carolina offer, one from a team that has traditionally excelled at scouting Tar Heel State defensive linemen. He's already put on a significant amount of good weight since last year, and he has the versatility to play multiple positions along the defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There's plenty to come from Matt Morrow, Joshua Graham, and me on the 2028 rankings over the next week. Stay locked in with Prep Redzone for more insights, evaluations, and rankings updates. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle for any subscription.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->