Here are the top defensive linemen in Anderson, Pickens high school football to watch in 2023
With the South Carolina high school football season inching closer each day, here's a look at the Anderson and Pickens' top defensive linemen to keep your eye on during the 2023 season.
Exzavier Burns
Belton-Honea Path | Junior
Burns, at 6-foot-2 and 330 pounds, began to come into his own as a sophomore with 27 tackles, one for a loss and two sacks. With the trust of the coaching staff, his physical profile and an offseason to refine his skills, expect Burns to take the next step this season.
Jake Duncan
Crescent | Junior
Duncan, a two-way lineman, took a massive step up as a sophomore with 39 tackles, eight for a loss and two sacks. His physical and technical growth has been impressive, specifically his people-moving bull rush and his hand usage. Combine that growth with his physical tools, Duncan (6-3, 285) has what it takes to play at the next level.
Krajus Mansel
Palmetto | Senior
Mansel is one-half of the Mustangs' one-two punch on the defensive line, and at 6-1, 225 pounds he has the physicality, and profile to be live in the opposition backfield. Last season he had 43 tackles, 6.5 for a loss and two sacks.
Damien Parker
Daniel | Junior
As a sophomore, Parker broke into one of the best front sevens in the area and became a quality contributor on the defensive line. He had 31 tackles, five tackles for loss and one sack.
Ahmad Powell
Crescent | Senior
Powell created havoc for opposing linemen last season, with 37 tackles, seven for a loss and four sacks. Expect more of the same from the stocky interior lineman, as Crescent should have one of the better defensive line groups in the area.
More from the players to watch series: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Receivers, Tight Ends | Offensive Linemen
Jaylen Putnam
Palmetto | Junior
The other half of the Mustangs' dynamic defensive line duo, Putnam is a physical freak at 6-3, 230 pounds who used his size-speed combo to rack up 45 tackles, seven for a loss and 3.5 sacks last season. With a bit more refinement in his technique, Putnam has a ceiling that's as high as anyone's in the area.
Qwentin Welborn
Daniel | Senior
In six games, the state heavyweight wrestling champion used his people-moving abilities on the football field to pick up one sack, two tackles for loss and 15 total tackles as a rotation player for the Lions. With Myquan Greer graduated, there's an opening at the DT spot; expect Welborn to get more opportunities this season and with it more production.
Lane York
Pendleton | Senior
A three-year starter, York had 40 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack last season. Expect more of the same from the defensive tackle in his final season for Pendleton.
Jaedyn Young
Daniel | Senior
With 6.5 sacks, 54 tackles and 11 tackles for loss, Young is the most productive returning defensive lineman on this list. On the interior of Daniel's four-man front, watch for his quickness off the line and a bait-and-switch technique that leaves linemen in the dust after his first step goes one way, he drops his shoulder and goes flying toward the ball the other way.
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: SC high school football: Top Anderson, Pickens defensive linemen
