20 best defensive linemen in the nation during the 2023 high school football regular season

These 20 game-wreckers have put up big stats this fall

From five-star talents to underrated up-and-comers, athletes across the country have blossomed over the course of the 2023 high school football regular season.

With the playoffs fast approaching in several states, SBLive Sports set out to find the best offensive and defensive players in the nation this fall. We started on the offensive side of the ball with quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers and are now turning our attention to defense.

Here are 20 defensive linemen and edge rushers who have made a huge difference during the 2023 high school football regular season.

Note: All stats are current through Oct. 9.

Keylan Abrams, jr., DeSoto (Texas)

DeSoto’s defense ranks among the best in Class 6A, and Abrams’ play on the edge is a big reason why. The Purdue commit has 40 total tackles and eight sacks as a junior. 

Ratumana Bulabalavu, sr., Army-Navy (California)

A disruptive senior defensive lineman, Bulabalavu has amassed 54 total tackles, 15.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries as a senior. The Washington commit has 57 career sacks for Army-Navy.

Kedrick Burley, sr., St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida)

Seventeen of Burley’s 27 tackles this season have gone for loss. The edge rusher has also registered 10 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries for national power St. Thomas Aquinas. 

C.J. Dixon, sr., South Pointe (South Carolina)

At 6-foot-1 and 270 pounds, Dixon brings physicality to the point of attack. The senior has 59 total tackles (22 for loss) this fall with 14 sacks and 14 quarterback hurries. 

Jason Dowell, jr., Althoff Catholic (Illinois)

A massive defensive end at 6-foot-4 and 288 pounds, Dowell has accumulated 57 total tackles and nine sacks as a junior. The 247Sports composite four-star recruit’s college suitors include Auburn, Oregon and USC. 

Jake East, sr., Ben Lomond (Utah)

East has 45 total tackles (16 for loss), nine sacks and 15 quarterback hurries this year. He is also a star basketball player for Ben Lomond who averaged 17 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as a junior. 

Carnell Ferguson, sr., Sierra Canyon (California)

Ferguson plays both ways for Sierra Canyon, but the senior has mainly been used on the defensive line this fall. He has 39 total tackles (15.5 for loss), 11 sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Wendell Gregory, sr., Walton (Georgia)

A four-star South Carolina commit, Gregory is an athletic senior pass rusher who previously played wide receiver for Walton. He has seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss this season. 

Melvin Hills, sr., Lafayette Christian Academy (Louisiana)

Hills has piled up nine sacks and 11 quarterback hurries during his senior season. The Texas commit is sitting on 27.5 career tackles for loss. 

Dutch Horisk, so., St. John Bosco (California)

Horisk is having a big sophomore season for St. John Bosco with 45 total tackles and seven sacks. His numerous Division I offers include Auburn, Oklahoma and USC. 

Elijah King, sr., Gahanna Lincoln (Ohio)

At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, King has the perfect frame for an edge rusher. The Rutgers commit has compiled 51 total tackles (15 for loss), 12 sacks and 18 quarterback hurries this fall. 

Gavench Marcelin, sr., Belen Jesuit (Florida)

One of the most underrated players in Florida, Marcelin has put up monster stats over the past three years for Belen Jesuit. The Florida Atlantic commit has 88 career tackles for loss and 48.5 sacks. As a senior, he’s recorded 65 total tackles and 17 sacks. 

Cole McConathy, sr., Spanish Fort (Alabama)

McConathy has been a menace this fall with 60 total tackles (21 for loss), 14 sacks and 20 quarterback hurries. He will play college football in the ACC for Louisville. 

Tyler Moore, sr., Luella (Georgia)

Moore is a compact defensive tackle at 6-foot-1 and 270 pounds. The Tennessee State commit has dominated over the course of his Luella career, recording 71.5 tackles for loss and 35 sacks. He has 33 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks this season. 

Bryce Perry-Wright, so., Buford (Georgia)

A five-star sophomore, Perry-Wright has tallied six sacks and 10 quarterback hurries this fall. His college opportunities include Alabama, LSU, Michigan, USC and many others. 

Curtis Simpson, sr., Kings Mountain (North Carolina)

Simpson has 58 total tackles (19 for loss), 11 sacks and 14 quarterback hurries as a senior. He is committed to North Carolina. 

Deshawn Warner, sr., Desert Edge (Arizona)

A hyper-athletic senior pass rusher, Warner has 33 total tackles and 10 sacks this season. The Kansas commit’s recruiting is starting to blow up with recent offers from Michigan and Ohio State. 

Jahsear Whittington, sr., Imhotep Charter (Pennsylvania)

Whittington is a versatile defensive lineman who plays tackle and end for Imhotep Charter. The Pittsburgh commit has 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a senior. 

Caleb Williams, jr., Matoaca (Virginia)

Sharing a name with last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, Matoaca’s Caleb Williams looks nothing like the USC quarterback as a 6-foot-6, 260-pound defensive standout. He has 20 career sacks, including seven this season, to go along with 42 total tackles. 

Nasir Wyatt, jr., Mater Dei (California)

A five-star prospect and California’s top-ranked recruit for the class of 2025, Wyatt has 20 career sacks for Mater Dei. The edge rusher has piled up 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, four pass breakups and three fumble recoveries as a junior. 

 (Elijah King photo by Adam Cairns)

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-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports