Alabama high school football's Top 20 defensive linemen

From Opelika's Malik Autry to Charles Henderson's Zion Grady, Alabama is loaded with big-time defensive linemen and edge rushers

Author:
Bob Lundeberg
Publish date:
Oct 19, 2023 3:54 PM EDT

SBLive is taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Alabama high school football. This list focuses on the defensive line and edge rushers.

There are hundreds of standout football players in Alabama, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

You can discuss the other defensive linemen worthy of fans’ attention in 2023 by connecting with us on Facebook at @SBLiveAL or by emailing tyler@scorebooklive.com.

Miles Adams, sr., Flomaton

Adams plays both ways at Flomaton, but the three-star prospect will be a defensive lineman for Southern Miss in college. Adams also competes in track and field for the Class 3A Hurricanes.

Malik Autry, jr., Opelika

Autry already looks like a Division I defensive lineman at 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds. The 247Sports composite four-star recruit committed to Auburn over the winter.

Jeremiah Beaman, sr., Parker

A four-star prospect, Beaman committed to Alabama during the spring. He was a game-wrecker as a junior, recording 10 sacks and three interceptions.

Malik Blocton, sr., Pike Road

Blocton is a productive defensive lineman who notched 54 tackles and six sacks during his junior season. A 247Sports composite four-star recruit, Blocton is committed to Auburn where his older brother, Marcus Harris, starts at defensive tackle.

Keenan Britt, so., Oxford

A four-star sophomore, Britt is the younger brother of former Auburn standout and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt. The younger Britt already holds offers from Arkansas, Auburn and Tennessee.

Jaylen Brown, sr., James Clemens

The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Brown is a nightmare for opposing offensive tackles with his 82-inch wingspan. A three-star recruit, Brown will play college football in the SEC for Missouri.

Antonio Coleman, jr., Saraland

A traditional nose tackle at 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds, Coleman is a run-stuffing defender who can also get after the quarterback. The four-star recruit recently gave a verbal commitment to Alabama.

Tyler Durant, sr., Daphne

A second-team Class 7A all-state selection as a junior, Durant is one of the most underrated defensive tackles in Alabama. He racked up 73 total tackles (10 for loss), five sacks and 19 hurries as a junior.

Isaia Faga, sr., Central

Faga is an immovable object on the line for Central’s stout defensive front. A three-star recruit, Faga flipped his commitment from Utah to Alabama in June.

Zion Grady, jr., Charles Henderson

A 247Sports composite five-star junior, Grady was the Class 5A lineman of the year as a sophomore after putting up 108 total tackles, 22 sacks and 27 quarterback hits. He also blocked three field goals and forced three fumbles for the 5A runners-up.

Hezekiah Harris, so., Jemison

Harris, a five-star recruit, is the nation’s No. 9 overall sophomore, according to 247Sports. The pass rusher’s offer sheet includes Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee.

Kavion Henderson, sr., Leeds

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Henderson is a versatile senior defender who can play nearly any position up front. A four-star prospect, Henderson is committed to Arkansas.

Christopher Johnson, jr., Robert E. Lee

Johnson is an edge-setter at 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds. The three-star junior picked up his first Power 5 offer from West Virginia back in February.

Landen Marshall, sr., Andalusia

Marshall, a three-star Georgia Tech commit, is the anchor of Andalusia’s defensive front. He had 34 total tackles (10.5 for loss) as a junior.

CJ May, jr., Highland Home

May registered 50 total tackles (10 for loss) from the defensive end position last season. A four-star junior, May recently committed to Notre Dame.

Cole McConathy, sr., Spanish Fort

McConathy, a three-star edge rusher, will play college football in the ACC for Louisville. He set a new Alabama single-game sacks record last season with seven in a victory over McGill-Toolen.

Jamari Payne, sr., Loachapoka

Payne was dominant as a junior, putting up 61 total tackles (27.5 for loss) and six sacks. The three-star Purdue commit also plays basketball for Loachapoka and filled up the box score with 9.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, two steals, and 1.9 blocks per game a season ago.

Joseph Phillips, sr., Booker T. Washington

Phillips is a two-way standout who had nine sacks and 19 tackles for loss as a junior while catching 29 passes for 336 yards and six touchdowns as a tight end. The four-star edge rusher is committed to Auburn.

Jordan Ross, sr., Vestavia Hills

The nation’s No. 12 overall recruit for the class of 2025, Ross is the top-ranked senior prospect in Alabama. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Tennessee commit plays defensive end for Vestavia Hills and projects as an outside linebacker at the next level.

Jared Smith, jr., Spain Park

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Smith is a prototypical pass rusher. He is a four-star recruit who has already amassed more than a dozen Power 5 offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and USC.