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April has arrived, meaning we’re four short months away from the 2024 high school football kicking off. That means it’s a perfect time for some preview action to prepare you for the upcoming season.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll have pieces twice a week highlighting certain position groups and the top area players in those groups to keep an eye on in the new season. We’ve released the five position groups so far. Now it’s time to highlight the area’s top defensive linemen.
Here are 27 returning Nashville area defensive linemen you need to keep an eye on during the 2024 season:
TOP RETURNERS PER POSITION: QB / RB / WR / DB / OL
Ailjah Walker, Ezell-Harding: Walker was small class second-team selection for us last year after recording 57 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
Amir Leonard-Jean Charles, Lipscomb Academy: A four-star recruit holding multiple Division I offers, Amir finished 2023 with 23 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack.
Andy Griffith, MJCA: A Division II-A all-state selection last season, Griffith recorded 81 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, nine forced fumbles, and seven blocked kicks.
Atticus Fiorita, Mt. Juliet: Fiorita was our large-class defensive player of the year last season for a reason. He led the area with 17 sacks to go along with 80 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and three pass breakups.
Bryce Brooks, Northwest: Brooks put up some huge numbers during his junior year wit 59 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Car’Lando Barton, Friendship Christian: Barton’s a spark plug on the Commanders’ defensive line, and that showed all year long. He finished the season as the Region Defensive Player of the Year with 88 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and nine sacks.
Coltin Sizemore, Westmoreland: Sizemore can get it done on both sides of the ball for the Eagles. He’s at his best on defense finishing 2023 with 51 tackles including eight for loss.
Dre Oldham, Oakland: Oakland may have one of the best defenses in the state next season and Oldham will play a huge part in that. As a junior, he recorded 49 tackles, six tackles for loss, and five sacks.
Eric Hazzard, Page: A beast on the field, Hazzard will likely be at his best this season as Page looks to get past silver and bring home gold. He had a monster junior season with 78 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Ethan Utley, Ensworth: A four-star Tennessee commitment, Utley’s one of the top-ranked 2025 recruits in the state. He manned the Tigers’ defense last season with 35.5 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and a sack.
Grayson Miller, Harpeth: Miller did it all for the Indians in 2023 recording 44 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks, and a blocked punt.
Hunter Griggs, Macon County: On a loaded Macon County defense, Griggs stood out with 66 Tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 Sacks and a fumble recovery.
Isaiah Mullins, Davidson Academy: Mullins’ first-team All-Region selection was an easy choice after he finished the season with 38 Tackles, 15 Tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries, six sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Jayden York, Hillsboro: A 6-foot-3, 265-pound two-way standout for the Burros, York was an All-Region and All-City selection who could be in for a big season.
JC Haynes, Riverdale: With how good their offense was last season, the Warriors’ defense may have gotten overlooked at times. They had several defensive standouts including Haynes who recorded 39 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four sacks.
Jerry Martin, Smyrna: Martin’s sophomore season was one to keep note of as he has already established himself as one of the Bulldogs’ top defensive standouts. He did so with 76 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two fumble recoveries.
Kai Micatrotto, Brentwood: Micatrotto has a high upside and should be on everyone’s radar following a great 2023 where he recorded 43 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.
Kelton Crisp, Station Camp: The Bison had a great defensive unit last season with Crisp near the top as one of their best. He finished last season with 63 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks, three fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown.
Keyioun McAllister, Stratford: A 6-foot, 235-pound two-way player for the Spartans, McAllister finished last season with 38 tackles of which 28 were solo.
Kyler Garcia, Pearl-Cohn: Garcia proved last season multiple times that he’ll do just fine as the focal point of the Firebirds’ front seven. In their run to the Class 4A title, he recorded 55 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Ladonnis McGlothen Jr., East Nashville: The Eagles lose a lot of talent from what was a great defense in 2023 but that will give McGlothen an opportunity to shine. He finished his junior season with 34 tackles and six sacks.
Luke Warren, White House Heritage: An All-Region and All-Robertson County selection, Warren was a standout on the Patriots’ defense with 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Ocoee Ellis, Station Camp: Ocoee’s a kid who should see quite a few schools extending offers to him this season. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder was an all-state selection recording 67 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, three blocked kicks, and two forced fumbles.
Quentin Norfolk, Oakland: On a defense loaded with talent, Norfolk was a standout for the Patriots recording 60 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Tony Carter, Lipscomb Academy: Another four-star prospect on the Mustangs’ defensive line, Carter is a force up front. He had a team-high eight sacks last season to go along with 23 tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss.
Tyrik Lawson, East Nashville: It’s hard not to miss Lawson on the field and like McGlothen, he could be in for a huge year with so many other departures on the Eagles defense.
Zach Groves, East Robertson: Groves may hold offers from every Division I powerhouse by the time his high school career comes to an end. He’s one of the best in the state and recorded 72 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, nine forced fumbles, and eight sacks in the Indians’ run to the Class 2A championship game.
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