Class of 2023 Ready to Breakout: DL

With 13 Defensive Linemen in the top 102 of the Prep Redzone rankings for the class of 2023, it is safe to say that there is a lot of talent at the position.  Here are five Juniors that are looking to have a breakout Senior season in 2022. [player_tooltip player_id="92622" first="David" last="Alabi"], 6’2, 215, Pickerington North [player_tooltip player_id="92622" first="David" last="Alabi"] is the 8th ranked DL and the 45th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. In 2021, he made 42 tackles with 4 sacks and helped the Panthers of Pickerington North to a 9-4 record and advance to the 3rd round of the playoffs and held opposing offenses to 15.2 points per game.  He plays as a DE where he lines up primarily in a 5T.  Against the pass, he shows excellent burst off the ball as he penetrates the LOS before the OT can set up to block.  He shows very good closing speed and motor in pursuit of the QB and finishes up with a sack. Against the run, he quickly keys and diagnoses the play, shows good instincts as he takes the correct angle in pursuit and delivers a good form tackle behind the LOS for a TFL. [player_tooltip player_id="126545" first="A.J." last="Schuller"], 6’2, 240, St. John’s Jesuit [player_tooltip player_id="126545" first="A.J." last="Schuller"] is the 10th ranked DL and the 60th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall.  His very good play in 2021 helped the Titans of St. John’s Jesuit to a 6-6 record and advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs.  He plays as a DE/DT where he lines up primarily as a 5T or 3T.  Against the run, he uses his good play strength and hands to stack the OL at the point of attack and shed the block.  Plays at a good pad level and delivers a powerful hit to the RB in his gap. Against the pass, he effectively uses his play strength to bullrush the OG into the lap of the QB before shedding the block. Shows good play speed in pursuit and forces the QB to throw the ball sooner than anticipated leading to an interception. [player_tooltip player_id="160222" first="Marcus" last="Moore"], 6’2, 340, Massillon Washington [player_tooltip player_id="160222" first="Marcus" last="Moore"] is the 11th ranked DL and the 63rd ranked player in the class of 2023 overall.  His great play in 2021 (27 tackles and 2 sacks) helped the Tigers of Massillon Washington to an 11-3 record, advance to the 4th round of the playoffs and held opposing offenses to 18.5 points per game.  He plays as a DT/NT where he lines up primarily as a 1T.  Against the run, he uses his good play strength to overpower the C with ease.  Displays great instincts while taking the correct angle in pursuit and delivers a big hit to the RB preventing a significant gain.  Against the pass, he displays great athletic ability for his size as he gets a good jump off the ball to beat the OL to the outside. Displays good play speed in pursuit and finishes up with a sack. [player_tooltip player_id="173466" first="Christopher" last="Jackson"], 6’3, 250, University [player_tooltip player_id="173466" first="Christopher" last="Jackson"] is the 12th ranked DL in the class of 2023 and is currently on the Prep Redzone Watchlist. His play in 2021 was a bright spot in the 1-8 season of University School.  He plays as a DE where he lines up primarily as a 5T. Against the run, he takes a quick first step to the inside, uses his good play strength and hands to shed the block, locates the ball carrier, plays with good leverage and delivers a powerful hit at the LOS. Against the pass, he shows good burst off the ball, shows quick hands as he defeats the block, uses his good play speed and motor in pursuit and forces the QB to throw the ball early resulting in an incompletion. [player_tooltip player_id="92627" first="Darrius" last="Atley"], 6’3, 195, Elyria [player_tooltip player_id="92627" first="Darrius" last="Atley"] is the 13th ranked DL in the class of 2023 and is currently on the Prep Redzone Watchlist.  His play in 2021 helped the Elyria Pioneers to six wins. He plays as a DE where he lines up as a 5T. Against the pass, he uses his good short area quickness and agility to evade the block from the OT, shows great motor and closing speed in pursuit and finishes up with a sack. Against the run, he defeats the block with a good combination of speed and strength, quickly locates the RB and shows good instincts in pursuit.  Uses his good play strength as he wraps up behind the LOS for a TFL.