Dominant Defensive Linemen Class of 2022
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One of the biggest keys to winning football games to win the battle up front. If your defense can control the line of scrimmage, then you can stop the run, pressure the quarterback and put an offense completely out-of-sync. This…
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Continue ReadingOne of the biggest keys to winning football games to win the battle up front. If your defense can control the line of scrimmage, then you can stop the run, pressure the quarterback and put an offense completely out-of-sync. This year, Indiana provides the defensive line prospects who promise to reset the line of scrimmage on a consistent basis. With the 2021 season fast approaching let’s take a look at Indiana’s top defensive linemen for the Class of 2022. These are the guys who will set the tone defensively in their Senior seasons.
When looking at the Prep Redzone Indiana overall rankings for the Class of 2022, it does not take very long to find our first defensive lineman. Center Grove’s Cade is the number two overall player in the class and he is our highest-rated defensive lineman and with good reason. Curry has tremendous versatility as he can line up at both defensive end as well as defensive tackle. His numbers paint the picture of his versatility as he accumulated 42 solo tackles and eight sacks in his Junior season. Curry amassed a total of 61 tackles last year. At 6’5 he also has great length. He will be able to initiate contact and put those trying to block him in difficult positions. The size and versatility for Caden Curry Caden Curry 6'5" | 265 lbs | DL Center Grove | 2022 State IN are scary and he has everything needed to be a big time player for any high major college football program.
The second highest-ranked defensive lineman in this class is Joe Strickland Joe Strickland 6'4" | 255 lbs | DL Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School | 2022 State IN from Brebeuf Jesuit Prep. Strickland shows extremely rare ability as he dominates on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Strickland is a top-tier defensive and offensive lineman. Focusing on the defensive side of the ball, Strickland shows the ability to stop the run as well as rush the passer. He has great quickness and power. His quick pursuit to the ball helped to him accumulate 50 total tackles in 2020. Strickland also racked up six and a half sacks and thirteen quarterback hurries. His speed and instincts are uncanny, making Joe Strickland Joe Strickland 6'4" | 255 lbs | DL Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School | 2022 State IN and offensive coordinator’s worst nightmare.
From Indianapolis, we take a trip to suburban Indy. Westfield High School’s Popeye Williams Popeye Williams 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Westfield | 2022 State IN is sure to turn heads this season. Like Strickland, Williams plays offense as well defense, however, Williams lines up at tight end for the Shamrocks. A 4-3 defensive end, Williams does a tremendous job of setting the edge in the running game. He has the ability to drive the tackle back behind the line of scrimmage and allow the defense to flow the ball or he can finish the play himself. While his numbers may not be quite as impressive the numbers for Curry and Strickland are, it is the way that Williams can completely eliminate any outside runs that makes a prospect that college coaches cannot afford to pass up on.
From suburban Indianapolis to suburban Fort Wayne, Kiel Eldridge Kiel Eldridge 6'5" | 230 lbs | ATH Heritage | 2022 State IN is on the cusp of a breakout season for Heritage High School. Eldridge is officially listed as an outside linebacker but he frequently has his hand in the ground. At 6’6 Eldridge uses his length well to drive back opposing offensive lineman. He also demonstrated really good power. Eldridge contributes well in all three phases. He is also listed as a wide receiver, but he is a dangerous kickoff returner as well. Eldridge’s athletic ability shows and that will allow him to fill any team at the next level may have.
We round out our look at Indiana top five soon-to-be-Senior defensive linemen back where we started at Center Grove with James Schott James Schott 6'4" | 220 lbs | DL Center Grove | 2022 State IN . There are a plethora of reasons why Center Grove ran the table last season, going 14-0 in route to a state championship, but, their dominant defensive line is certainly a big reason. Already featuring the top defensive lineman in the class, in Caden Curry Caden Curry 6'5" | 265 lbs | DL Center Grove | 2022 State IN , the Trojans also return the fifth highest-rated defensive lineman in James Schott James Schott 6'4" | 220 lbs | DL Center Grove | 2022 State IN . Schott is a monster at 6’4 225 pounds. The size gives him the length to initiate contact and control the line of scrimmage. He also figures to pursue the ball very well. I do not know how teams plan to block this Center Grove defensive line. One things that for sure is, if you commit to much attention to Curry, Schott is going to have a field day.
Winning the battle in the trenches is critical. The process of building a lights-out defense starts with the game-wreckers up front. I am going to break down some of the underrated defensive linemen in the Class of 2022 in just a few days. These guys are due to have tremendous Senior campaigns. Any collegiate defensive coordinator, looking to build their defense into a powerhouse, needs to keep a close eye on the state of Indiana this year.