Vote now: Who will be the best high school defensive lineman in the country in 2023?
We recently featured 20 of the top high school defensive linemen in the nation.
Best high school defensive linemen in the nation entering the 2023 football season
Now, we want to hear from you: Who is the best of the best?
Vote in the poll and let us know who you think will be the top high school defensive lineman in the nation in 2023.
Defensive lineman voting will conclude Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.
Descriptions of each player are below the poll.
Amare Adams, jr., South Florence (South Carolina)
Adams amassed 67 tackles (11 for loss) and four sacks playing for Lake City while consistently double- and triple-teamed last season. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound three-sport athlete (basketball, baseball) transferred to undefeated defending state champion South Florence in the offseason.
Jeremiah Beaman, sr., Parker (Alabama)
Beaman is a super-versatile three-sport athlete (basketball, track and field) who can play inside or outside on the defensive line. The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder had 10 sacks and three interceptions last season, and he committed to Alabama in May.
Kamron Beavers, sr., Bay Springs (Mississippi)
Beavers anchored the offensive and defensive line last season to lead Bay Springs to its second consecutive state championship. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Ole Miss commit finished his junior season with 52 tackles (13.5 for loss) while plugging the middle of Bay Springs' dominant defense.
Armondo Blount, jr., Miami Central (Florida)
Blount is coming off a huge sophomore campaign in which he finished with 16 sacks and 30 tackles for loss playing for Dillard last year. After transferring to reigning Class 2M state champion Miami Central, he's in line to fill the shoes of University of Miami signee Rueben Bain.
Aydin Breland photo by Heston Quan
Photo: Heston Quan
Aydin Breland, sr., Mater Dei (California)
Breland was a run-stuffing behemoth on the interior last season for one of the top teams in the country. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive lineman, who remains uncommitted, had 10.5 tackles for loss as a junior and four sacks. He's taken official visits to Georgia, Miami, Oregon and Texas A&M.
Charlie Collins, sr., Little Rock Mills (Arkansas)
Collins was a unanimous all-state selection last fall. He helped Mills to the quarterfinals of the 5A playoffs, finishing with a 10-2 record. The Arkansas commit led the team in total tackles with 124 and had 12 sacks along with five fumble recoveries, four pass deflections and an interception.
Manoah Faupusa, soph., Los Alamitos (California)
A 6-foot-2, 300-pound menace on both sides of the ball, Faupusa started at nose guard and offensive tackle for Los Alamitos as a freshman, and the rugby player also moved to fullback in some short-yardage situations. He will pair alongside fellow sophomore lineman Kapono Mao as a dynamic duo in the trenches this fall.
Kamarion Franklin, sr., Lake Cormorant (Mississippi)
Franklin earned SBLive Mississippi All-State honors as a junior after piling up 17 sacks, averaging more than two per game. The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder can play on the edge or interior but is expected to play inside in college. He's one of the top-ranked uncommitted players in the nation and plans to graduate in December and start college in January.
Elijah Griffin, jr., Savannah Christian (Georgia)
The Georgia Bulldogs offered Griffin a scholarship when he was a 13-year-old middle schooler, and he's shown so far that they were ahead of the game in doing so. The 6-foot-5, 280-pounder made 82 tackles (30 for loss) and had 14.5 sacks last season.
Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, sr., Oak Ridge (Texas)
Jonah-Ajonye played played at 230-240 pounds last year, making 60 tackles (15 for loss) with 7.5 sacks and nine quarterback hurries. Heading into his senior season, the 6-foot-5 Georgia commit is up to 275 pounds and should take on a role this season as a hybrid defensive end/tackle.
LJ McCray, sr., Mainland (Florida)
McCray helped lead Mainland to the state championship game last season, making 47 tackles (17.5 for loss) and three sacks while catching 14 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns as a tight end. He's played mostly on the edge as a junior, but the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder should spend more time as a senior on the interior, where he's expected to play at the next level.
Dominick McKinley, sr., Acadiana (Louisiana)
A phenomenal athlete who stands 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, McKinley is coming off a junior season in which he piled up 86 tackles (18 for loss), 10 sacks and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. The two-sport star (track and field) remains uncommitted, but LSU is considered the favorite.
Williams Nwaneri, sr., Lee's Summit North (Missouri)
Over the past two seasons, Nwaneri has been one of the nation's most dominant prospects, racking up 99 tackles, 17 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 31 quarterback hurries. Oklahoma is considered the favorite for the versatile 6-foot-6, 255-pound lineman's services in college.
Justin Scott, sr., St. Ignatius (Illinois)
The top-ranked senior recruit in Illinois regardless of position, Scott committed last month to play college football for Ohio State. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder finished his junior season with 42 tackles (13 for loss), 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery while also starting on the offensive line.
Xadavien Sims, sr., Durant (Oklahoma)
Sims transferred from Denison (Texas) before his junior season and played multiple positions on the defensive line in his first year playing for Durant, and he's now the top-ranked prospect in Oklahoma regardless of position. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive lineman also plays tight end, but defense will be his focus when he plays for the Oregon Ducks.
Jerod Smith, sr., Cheshire Academy (Connecticut)
Smith is one half of a dynamic duo on the defensive line for Cheshire — and soon to be Michigan. His twin brother Jacob, a four-star edge rusher, followed him to Ann Arbor in July. As a junior, the bigger of the twin brothers registered 63 tackles (8 for loss) three sacks and one interception.
Jahkeem Stewart, soph., St. Augustine (Louisiana)
Stewart has been piling up Division I offers since middle school. Once the stars come out on the national recruiting websites for the Class of 2026, Stewart is likely to have five of them across the board. Nicknamed "Thanos," the 6-foot-6, 280-pound defensive tackle will continue being a menace to offensive linemen this fall.
David Stone, sr., IMG Academy (Florida)
Stone anchors the line on what should be one of the best defenses in the country this fall. The 6-foot-3, 280-pounder who boasts a 7-foot wingspan is one of the top uncommitted seniors in the nation, but the Oklahoma native has called Norman "home" several times, making many consider the Sooners the favorite for his services.
Amaris Williams, sr., Clinton (North Carolina)
Williams began his high school football career as a running back, but as he's grown (6-3, 270 pounds entering his senior year) it's become clear that defensive line is his home. The Florida commit finished his junior season with 18 sacks and 44 tackles for loss.
Trent Wilson, jr., St. Frances Academy (Maryland)
Wilson has been a fast riser in the recruiting rankings, accumulating more than 20 offers such as Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and USC. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound run-stuffer transferred from St. John's (Washington, DC) to St. Frances Academy in the offseason.
