Continuing my series on players emerging from the shadows in 2023, let’s take a look at some defensive linemen.
1. Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
Overshadowed by: Mazi Smith, Keeanu Benton
It’s been a while since the Illini had a truly dominant defensive lineman, but Newton showed flashes during his redshirt sophomore seasons of being a true disruptor on the interior.
Jer’zhan Newton is an absolute bulldozer ?
Witherspoon & Brown headlined the Illinois defense in ‘23, but DL Newton is no joke:
?59 total pressures
?36 QB hurries
?4 sacks
pic.twitter.com/BiwIAuhhNF— Redshirt Heisman (@TasteOfSport) February 15, 2023
2. Leonard Taylor, Miami
Overshadowed by: Bryan Bresee, Calijah Kancey
Taylor was a huge get for former ‘Canes head coach Manny Diaz out of high school, and while he’s flashed moments of that five-star talent, he has yet to really put it together for a full season. If Miami is going to get to where Mario Cristobal needs them, Taylor has to be a dominant force on the line, and he can be just that.
3. Byron Murphy, Texas
Overshadowed by: Sikai Ika, Keondre Coburn
Despite being a very different type of interior lineman than Ika and his former teammate Coburn, Murphy has a chance to make a huge impact in his own way. While he’ll never be able to stuff the run in the same way that the big man from Baylor did, Murphy has the ability to be a true threat as a pass rusher from the interior.
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4. Bear Alexander, Georgia
Overshadowed by: Jalen Carter, Gervon Dexter, Byron Young
Another year, another dominant defensive tackle for the Bulldogs. Alexander was a five-star coming out of high school, and he started flashing dominance toward the end of his true freshman season in 2022. He should break out in a huge way this fall.
Bear Alexander the true freshman with 1.5 sacks in the first half of the #NationalChampionship
— 704 Dawg (@FSFRecruits) January 10, 2023
