If you were to pick one position in Alabama high school football where the pure level of talent sticks out above the rest, it’s along the defensive line. Entering the 2022 season, this group includes multiple four- and five-star prospects rated among the top 100 overall players nationally. Following are our picks for the top 10 high school defensive linemen in Alabama.
1. James Smith (Carver-Montgomery)
At 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, Smith arguably is the best not only among high school defensive linemen in Alabama, but nationally as well. A five-star prospect, Smith recently spent his 2021 junior season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL, but has since returned to Carver-Montgomery, where he is the state’s No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class.
2. Peter Woods (Thompson)
Not far behind Smith for the top spot among Alabama high school defensive linemen is Woods, a five-star prospect from defending Class 7A state champion Thompson. One-half of the state’s top pass rushing duo a year ago alongside current Alabama freshman Jeremiah Alexander, Woods collected a total of 92 tackles with 26 TFL and 11 sacks as a junior to earn First Team All-State honors.
3. Tomarrion Parker (Central-Phenix City)
Also a First Team All-State selection last season, Parker returns for Class 7A runner-up Central-Phenix City as arguably the favorite to lead Alabama in sacks. The four-star prospect is coming off a junior season in which he collected 78 tackles for the Red Devils, along with 27 TFL and 15 sacks.
4. Jaquavious Russaw (Carver-Montgomery)
The other half of the state’s top pass-rushing duo, Russaw is a four-star prospect who plays multiple roles, including stand-up edge rusher and linebacker. A First Team All-State selection a year ago, Russaw is coming off a monster junior campaign that included 130 tackles, 27.5 TFL and 16 sacks.
5. Kelby Collins (Gardendale)
One of Alabama’s top edge rushers, Collins is coming off a junior season in which he received Class 6A First Team All-State honors. During that season, the four-star prospect collected 75 total tackles, along with 20 TFL and 12 sacks.
6. Keldric Faulk (Highland Home)
A multi-sport standout at Highland Home, Faulk is a four-star prospect who also sees time on both sides of the ball for the Flying Squadron. Faulk is coming off a First Team All-State selection in 2021, a year in which he collected 82 total tackles with 30 TFL and 11 sacks.
7. Hunter Osborne (Hewitt-Trussville)
Another prominent pass rushing combination in Alabama last season was the Hewitt-Trussville duo of Osborne and current Texas freshman Justice Finkley. The four-star prospect collected a total of 60 tackles for the Huskies last season as a junior, as well as 10 TFL and 5.5 sacks.
8. Yhonzae Pierre (Eufaula)
Yet another First Team All-State selection a year ago, Pierre enters the 2022 season as arguably the top name returning in Class 5A. An Alabama commit, Pierre is rated as a four-star prospect, and is coming off a junior season in which he collected 55 tackles, 16 TFL, and seven sacks.
9. Kavitheon Henderson (Leeds)
Arguably the best of Alabama’s high school defensive linemen in the Class of 2024, as well as one of the nation’s top edge rushers overall, is Henderson. A four-star prospect from Leeds, Henderson is poised for a massive 2022 season after a sophomore campaign that earned him Second Team All-State honors.
10. Michael Towner (Vigor)
The final spot on this list goes to Towner, a standout defensive lineman for defending 4A state champion Vigor. The three-star prospect is coming off a junior season in which he received First Team All-State honors.
Honorable Mention:
Jeremiah Beaman (Parker), Sterling Dixon (Mobile Christian), Emmanuel Walker (Chelsea), Connor Knight (Pinson Valley), Brian Alston (Spain Park), JaQuize Buyucks (Stanhope Elmore), Adrian Griffin (Fairfield), Jaeden Jackson (Andalusia), Dearion Prothro (Cleburne County)
