When it comes to strongest positions in the Class of 2019, the defensive linemen don’t have to take a back seat to anyone. According to the most recent 247Sports.com composite rankings, the top four senior college football recruits work up-front on defense.
Weak-side defensive end Kayvon Thibodeux of Oaks Christian in Southern California is the overall No. 1 prospect in the nation. He has 28 college offers.
Thibodeux, who stands 6-5 and weighs 235, is coming off an outstanding junior season that included 20 sacks with two fumble recoveries. He led the team in tackles with 99, seventy of which were solo, according to MaxPreps.
IMG Academy’s (Florida) Nolan Smith, who stands 6-foot-3 and weights 230 pounds, is the No. 2 overall recruit. He’s given his verbal to Georgia.
In 2017, Smith had 41 tackles (28 solo) with four sacks.
Defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher from Amite (Louisiana) is the top ranked DT and No. 3 overall college football prospect.
The 6-3, 330 pound Sopher currently has 22 offers.
The No. 4 overall prospect on the 247Sports composite rankings is Ohio’s Zach Harrison from Olentangy Orange High School. The 6-6, 240 pound weak-side defensive end holds 16 offers.
Top Defensive Linemen Class of 2019
No. 1 Kayvon Thibodeux, WDE – Oaks Christian (California) – Uncommitted
No. 2 Nolan Smith, WDE – IMG Academy (Florida) – Georgia
No. 3 Ishmael Sopsher, DT – Amite (Louisiana) – Uncommitted
No. 4 Zach Harrison, WDE – Olentangy Orange (Ohio) – Uncommitted
No. 5 Zacch Pickens, SDE – T.L. Hanna (South Carolina) – South Carolina
No. 6 Chris Hinton, SDE – Greater Atlanta Christian (Georgia) – Michigan
No. 7 Travon Walker, DT – Upson-Lee (Georgia) – Uncommitted
No. 8 Faatui Tuitele, DT – St. Louis (Hawaii) – Uncommitted
No. 9 Savion Jackson, DE – Clayton (North Carolina) – N.C. State
No. 10 Nathan Pickering, SDE – Seminary (Mississippi) – Uncommitted
No. 11 DeMarvin Leal, DT – Judson (Texas) – Texas A&M
No. 12 Antonio Alfano, SDE – Colonia (New Jersey) – Alabama
No. 13 Jowon Briggs, DT – Walnut Hills (Ohio) – Uncommitted
No. 14 Khris Bogle, WDE – Cardinal Gibbons (Florida) – Uncommitted
No. 15 Stephen Herron, Jr., WDE – Trinity (Kentucky) – Michigan
No. 16 Kevin Harris, WDE – Grayson (Georgia) – Alabama
No. 17 Jacob Bandes, DT – Pittsburg (California) – Uncommitted
No. 18 George Karlaftis, SDE – West Lafayette (Indiana) – Purdue
No. 19 Charles Moore, SDE – Louisville (Mississippi) – Mississippi State
No. 20 Jaren Handy, SDE – Hattiesburg (Mississippi) – Auburn
No. 21 NaNa Osafo-Menah, WDE – Nolan Catholic (Texas) – Notre Dame
No. 22 Byron Young, SDE – West Jones (Mississipp) – Uncommitted
No. 23 Mazi Smith, DT – East Kentwood (Michigan) – Uncommitted
No. 24 Justin Eboigbe, SDE – Forest Park (Georgia) – Alabama
No. 25 Jaquaze Sorrells, DT – Largo (Florida) – Uncommitted
Top Defensive Linemen Class of 2020
No. 1 Bryan Bresee, SDE – Damascus (Maryland) – Uncommitted
No. 2 Chris Braswell, WDE – St. Frances Academy (Maryland) – Uncommitted
No. 3 McKinnley Jackson, DT – George County (Mississippi) – Uncommitted
No. 4 Desmond Evans, WDE – Lee County (North Carolina) – Uncommitted
No. 5 Jason Harris, WDE – Higley (Arizona) – Uncommitted
Editor’s Note: Heading toward the release of the High School Football America Preseason 100 on July 1, HSFA is looking at the top players by position around the nation.
