Class of ’22 Under The Radar: DL

With 4 Defensive Linemen ranked in the top 20, there is a great deal of talent at the Defensive Line position in the class of 2022.  There are also several Defensive Linemen that are currently under the radar that will have a huge impact in ’21 and should get the attention of college recruiters.  Here are five of those players. Taviahn MackTaviahnMack6'1" | DLArkansas City | 2022StateKS, 6’1, 285, Arkansas City Taviahn MackTaviahnMack6'1" | DLArkansas City | 2022StateKS is the 9th ranked DL and the 66th ranked player in the class of 2022 overall.  He plays as a NT and a DT.  He lines up in a 0T as well as a 3T.  He is quick off the ball and uses his play strength to stack OL at the point of contact and is able to defeat doubleteam blocks with ease due to his excellent physical toughness as hand use. He keeps his eyes on the ball carrier constantly and shows good form tackling ability as he brings down the RB with force. Kayson DietzKaysonDietz6'0" | DLSalina South | 2022StateKS, 6’0, 311, Salina South Kayson DietzKaysonDietz6'0" | DLSalina South | 2022StateKS is the 12th ranked DL and the 75th ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  In 2020, he had a very good season for the Cougars.  He made 55 tackles with 2 TFL and 2 sacks.  He plays primarily as a NT but also lines up as a DT in a 4 man front.  He fires out low, shoots his hands quickly and violently as he bullrushes the C.  He quickly sheds the block as he locates the ball carrier.  He uses his very good instincts to take the correct angle to the ball carrier and uses his good play strength in his upper and lower body to bring down the RB with ease.  He is also an effective pass rusher as he quickly penetrates the line of scrimmage into the backfield with his good combination of power and athletic ability.  He uses his good play speed and motor while in pursuit of the QB and quickly brings him down for the sack. Terrell ElliotTerrellElliot6'2" | DLGarden City | 2022StateKSt, 6’2, 290, Garden City Terrell ElliotTerrellElliot6'2" | DLGarden City | 2022StateKS is the 13th ranked DL and the 84th ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  He plays as a DE where he lines up primarily in a 7T or Wide 9.  He uses his very good quickness and use of hands to beat the reach block from the OT, locates the ball carrier and displays very good range and closing speed in pursuit while using his leverage to drive through the RB preventing a big gain.  He is a good pass rusher who shows very good burst off the ball, able to shed the OT block by executing a rip move, uses his very good motor, range and closing speed in pursuit of the QB and is able to pressure the QB to throw the ball quickly than he anticipated leading to an incomplete pass. Jack CecilJackCecil6'4" | DLBlue Valley | 2022StateKS, 6’4, 200, Blue Valley Jack CecilJackCecil6'4" | DLBlue Valley | 2022StateKS is the 14th ranked DL and the 95th ranked player in the class of 2022.  He plays as an DE where he lines up primarily as a 5T.  He is an excellent pass rusher as he fires out low, wins the leverage battle against the OT as he bends at the apex, executes a rip move and uses his excellent play speed, athletic ability and range in pursuit of the QB while using his good form tackling ability to bring down the QB for the sack with ease.  Against the run, he fires out low, wins battles against the larger OT with his hands inside, uses his play strength and physical toughness to defeat base blocks, keeps his eyes on the ball carrier and is able to bring down the RB with force. Sam CulpSamCulp6'5" | DLSedgwick | 2022StateKS, 6’5, 210, Sedgwick Sam CulpSamCulp6'5" | DLSedgwick | 2022StateKS is the 15th ranked DL and the 118th ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  In 2020, he made 19 tackles with 5 TFL and 2 fumble recoveries.  He plays as a DE where he lines up primarily as a 5T.  He shows very good explosiveness at the snap, uses his quickness to defeat reach blocks from the OT, quickly finds the RB and uses his very good play strength in his upper body and lower body to bring down the RB with ease.