2026: Defensive Linemen with the Potential to be Great

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These defensive linemen have the tools to be great players at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720482' first='Dreysen' last='Afuvai'] || DL || 6'1 || 200 || Westlake High School || 2026 </strong><br>Afuvai is a quick edge defender with both his movements and reactions. He does a good job beating offensive linemen to the edge and can turn outside runs back to the inside. If left unlocked, he does a good job taking on the pullers and can make plays on quarterbacks if offenses make a mistake and leave him uncovered. Afuvai never takes a snap off and can chase down ball carriers from behind. He uses his impressive arm length to long-arm offensive tackles and to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284189' first='Cole' last='Branan'] || DL || 6'1 || 205 || Mountain Ridge High School || 2026</strong><br>Branan's exceptional speed off the snap helps him make plays against both the run and pass. He does a great job standing up offensive linemen to clog up gaps. If running backs try to run past him, Branan does an excellent job disengaging from blockers before blasting ball carriers. He's a strong tackler who can drag down even the biggest backs for a loss of yardage. When rushing the passer, he uses his hands incredibly well. Branan has a quick spin move or physical rip move he can throw at offensive linemen before collapsing the pocket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402741' first='Crew' last='Baxter'] || DL || 6'3 || 210 || Wasatch High School || 2026</strong><br>Baxter brings his all each and every snap. He quickly recognizes what an offense is trying to do and flies to the ball, even if he has little to no chance to make a play. Baxter has a powerful bull rush he uses to level offensive linemen on his way to sacking quarterbacks. He is more than just a power rusher, though, and can win with his impressive short-area quickness. Baxter does a good job shooting through inside gaps that open up when offensive linemen overset. He can also hit offensive linemen with a devastating dip and rip move to generate pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402748' first='Jaxon' last='Brown'] || DL || 6'1 || 220 || Mountain Ridge High School || 2026</strong><br>Brown can always be counted on to make plays for his team. He does a good job keeping his hands inside, which allows him to gain and maintain leverage against opposing offensive linemen. Brown fires off the snap low and fast, putting himself in a position to win each rep. He can rush from the inside or outside, where his combination of speed and strength makes him tough for any offensive linemen to keep out of the backfield snap after snap. The Sentinels have a bright future, and part of that is because of Brown's high ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->