2023 Class: Top 5 Defensive Linemen
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The thing I noticed the most researching these top 5 linemen is just how talented all these guys are. Each prospect in the top 5 has a D1 offer, and I would argue they all have power-5 potential. Now, here’s…
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Continue ReadingThe thing I noticed the most researching these top 5 linemen is just how talented all these guys are. Each prospect in the top 5 has a D1 offer, and I would argue they all have power-5 potential. Now, here’s a look at the top 5 defensive linemen from the class of 2023!
#1 Jalen Thompson Jalen Thompson 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Cass Tech | 2023 State MI (#1 overall, Cass Tech)
There’s a reason why Jalen Thompson Jalen Thompson 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Cass Tech | 2023 State MI is the #1 C/O 2023 player in the state. That reason is his dominance against the most elite competition. As seen in the below tweet, Jalen Thompson Jalen Thompson 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Cass Tech | 2023 State MI had an outstanding Junior season posting 10 sacks and 30+ QB pressures. Thompson has an elite mix of speed and power, and again, he’s doing this against elite teams such as Detroit King. He’s an exciting prospect that holds dozens of D1 offers from teams such as Michigan, Michigan State, and Georgia.
Jr Szn Tape…
30 tackles, 12 tfl, 10 sacks 30 +
pressures https://t.co/divEpYn3lH pic.twitter.com/F4Y0exLXCu— Jalen Thompson ✞ (@__4jalen) December 1, 2021
#2 Mason Muragin Mason Muragin 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL De La Salle | 2023 State MI (#14 overall, De La Salle)
Muragin’s stock has risen a ton over this past season. I was able to watch his talent first-hand at the State Championship, and he won most blocks against a very successful Traverse City Central offensive line. His speed really impressed me, and I would argue that great speed moves are a bit more attractive than great power moves when evaluating a high school prospect. Right now, he has some MAC offers with some GLIAC offers/interest. If he develops how I think he can/will, Muragin will get those looks from Michigan State, other D1 teams that he has an interest in.
#3 Messiah Blair Messiah Blair 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Detroit King | 2023 State MI (#19 overall, Detroit King)
A 3-star recruit by 247, Blair is a massive 6’7″ 225lb from Detroit King. Blair demonstrates a high degree of finesse and IQ having faced elite competition this season. He’s a lengthy lineman that lots of times uses his height to his advantage, but sometimes, he has a hard time getting low enough out of the line, which is a very common problem with tall linemen. The things that make him stand out most are his performance against elite competition during the season, along with good performances with offseason competition. I find Blair to be a very intriguing prospect and I am looking forward to seeing him play in 2022.
#4 Bruce Williams Bruce Williams 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Huron | 2023 State MI (#20 overall, Huron)
With D1 offers from Central Michigan, Bowling Green, Liberty, Louisville, Marshall, and others, Bruce Williams Bruce Williams 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Huron | 2023 State MI is a great college prospect standing at a strong 6’3″ 235lbs. One aspect of his game that I’m extremely impressed with is his getoff. Few players explode off the ball as fast as Williams, and with his arsenal of speed moves, he becomes a daunting threat. He blows past some very good linemen, and the Huron coaching staff sometimes draws up some effective stunts for Williams. The only blank space for Willaims is his performance at some elite camps. I expect Willaims to get more prestigious offers soon.
Michigan is hosting Ann Arbor Huron 2023 DE Bruce Williams, a legacy recruit for the Wolverines, this weekend. He then heads to Notre Dame and Cincinnati after that. (VIP) https://t.co/gdFHzkK0vI pic.twitter.com/slf4eBsU4f
— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) October 21, 2021
#5 Kenny Merrieweather Kenny Merrieweather 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Detroit King | 2023 State MI (#22 overall, Detroit King)
Merriweather displays a great mix of power and speed as a D1 DL prospect. He’s an outlier in passed tipped, as he’s able to get a hand up in passing situations often, even scoring a pick-6 in the state championship. Like I said, he’s a great, balanced lineman, and the 6’3″ 235lb frame sure helps. Considering how stacked King is, along with them consistently facing elite competition, Merriweather will have ample opportunity to raise his stock in the near future.