Rivals Rankings Week: Class of 2021 DL rankings released
Following a long spring of camps, 7-on-7s and combines, the Rivals.com rankings for the 2021 class have been released. Defensive line is next in our look at a position-by-position breakdown of the updated rankings.
Class of 2021 rankings: Strongside defensive end | Weakside defensive end | Defensive tackle
Rivals Rankings Week:
Tuesday: 2021 Rivals100 revealed | Vandagriff No. 1 | Mind of Mike
Wednesday: 2021 Offensive position rankings
Thursday: 2021 Defensive position rankings revealed
Friday: 2021 State rankings revealed
TEAM WITH THE TOP COMMIT: Ohio State
Sawyer debuted as the top-ranked weak-side defensive end in the 2021 class and the No. 3 player overall. The Pickering, Ohio, native is an early commitment in the Buckeyes’ class. Larry Johnson is one of the most reputable defensive line coaches in all of America and he’s off to a fast start in 2021 by keeping Sawyer in-state. Of course, Ohio State will be expected to bolster its defensive line next cycle with some other marquee talent, but an early commitment from a prospect as talented as Sawyer is obviously a great start.
TEAMS TO WATCH: Michigan, Alabama, Texas
Michigan has put itself in a strong position early on to make a run at some of the nation’s premier defensive linemen. That group includes initial Rivals100 members Damon Payne, Tywone Malone and Monkell Goodwine, among others.
Alabama is always going to be in the mix for elite prospects, and we don’t anticipate that 2021 will be much different. The Crimson Tide are after Rivals100 defensive linemen such as Tunmise Adeleye, Maason Smith, Marcus Burris, Dylan Brooks, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Landon Jackson.
Several of those aforementioned linemen hail from the Lone Star State — Sanders, Jackson and Burris — and the Texas Longhorns have put early offers on the table for these elite big men. Tom Herman has a chance for an impressive in-state haul for 2021.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Maason Smith
Smith is a 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive tackle from Louisiana that has emerged as one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2021 class. This spring, he received offers from LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, Miami and Florida, among others. Smith debuted as the No. 66-ranked player and No. 6 tackle, but recently turned some heads after a fantastic performance at LSU’s linemen camp. Smith’s stock is on the rise and he’s giving attention to several interested programs. This could boil down to a battle between Ed Orgeron fending off Nick Saban for another prized Louisiana prospect.