Tough in the Trenches: Class of 2022 DL

With 5 Defensive Linemen ranked in the top 21, it is safe to say that there is a great abundance of talent at the Defensive Line  in the class of 2022.  Here are the top 5. <ol> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="35541" first="Collin" last="Williams"] 6’4 230 Bishop Miege</li> </ol> [player_tooltip player_id="35541" first="Collin" last="Williams"] is the #1 DL and the #2 ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  He plays as a DE at both RDE and LDE where he lines up at the 5T and possesses good size with a lean build.  At the snap, he fires off the ball, dips his shoulder and easily sheds the OT block using a rip move and uses his play speed and motor to chase down the QB.  Effectively uses his very good play strength to bring the QB down with force for a sack.  Against the run, he uses his football intelligence to quickly diagnose the play and uses his instincts to take the correct angle and his range to play sideline to sideline before delivering a powerful hit to the RB.  While pressuring the QB, he is able to read the QB and time his jump and is able to bat the ball away. &nbsp; <ol start="2"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="35542" first="Jalen" last="Marshall"] 6’5 260 St. Thomas Aquinas</li> </ol> [player_tooltip player_id="35542" first="Jalen" last="Marshall"] is the #2 DL and the #3 ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  He plays as a DT where he lines up in the 3T.  He has good size with a muscular build.  He shows great burst as he fires off the ball and is able to quickly penetrate into the backfield after using his play strength and hands to drive the OG backwards with ease.  He quickly locates the ball carrier and effectively uses his athletic ability to catch him and his play strength to bring down the RB with force.  He is an effective pass rusher as he shows a very good motor while chasing the QB and uses his play speed to catch the QB and delivers a powerful hit while bring him down for the sack. &nbsp; <ol start="3"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="35543" first="Haiden" last="Berndt"] 6’3 255 Shawnee Mission West</li> </ol> [player_tooltip player_id="35543" first="Haiden" last="Berndt"] is the #3 DL and the #4 ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  He plays as a DE at both RDE and LDE.  He possesses very good size with a muscular build.  He is quick off the ball and uses a combination of power and quickness to defeat OT blocks.  He uses his very good athletic ability to close in on the QB and uses his excellent play strength to bring him down with force for the sack.  Against the run, he stays at home and doesn’t over pursue which leads to him putting himself in good position to make the tackle either at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield for a TFL.  Able to get his hands in the way while pressuring the QB leading to a pass deflection. &nbsp; <ol start="4"> <li>Taviahn Mack 6’1 285 Arkansas City</li> </ol> Taviahn Mack is the 4^th ranked DL and the 16^th ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  He plays as a DT where he lines up at the 3T.  He penetrates the B gap quickly using his good burst while playing at a good pad level, locates the ball carrier while possessing the range to play sideline to sideline and uses his leverage and play strength to make the tackle in the backfield.  He possesses an excellent motor as he shows the ability to chase down the ball carrier for over 30 yards to make the tackle.  Shows very good mental toughness as he can make stops consistently in the red zone. &nbsp; <ol start="5"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="35560" first="Landon" last="Dean"] 6’4 235 Frontenac</li> </ol> [player_tooltip player_id="35560" first="Landon" last="Dean"] is the 5^th ranked DL and the 21^st ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  He plays as a DE primarily as a LDE.  In addition to playing as a DE, he is also an outstanding TE on offense.  He quickly beats the OT by using his speed and quickness or his play strength when he tries to bullrush.  He uses his motor and athletic ability to chase the QB and uses his play strength to deliver a powerful hit for the sack.  Against the run, he quickly keys and diagnoses the play, uses his play speed and motor in pursuit and shows good form tackling ability with good leverage as he brings the RB down in the backfield for a TFL.