Tag: defensive lineman

Alabama lands in top 10 for 2024 5-Star DL Williams Nwaneri

2024 defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri released his top schools list on Thursday. He listed Alabama as one of his finalists.

Defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri of the 2024 recruiting class released his top schools list on Thursday. Alabama made the cut as a finalist to land Nwaneri’s commitment.

Nwaneri plays for Lee’s Summit North High School in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. As a junior, he recorded 56 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks.

247Sports’ Alan Trieu compared Nwaneri to Buffalo Bills edge rusher AJ Epenesa. His evaluation read as follows:

“Has verified size, length and testing data that is impressive for a player of his build and age. Rare change of direction and agility numbers at his size. Was a good young prospect as a freshman and sophomore but showed big developmental strides on the field as a junior. Quickness off the ball and foot speed in pursuit were improved and those qualities of his are at a high national level. Used his hands better and when combined with his physical gifts, makes him very tough to block. Does not let offensive linemen get clean punches off on him and is able to turn himself and get skinny to help with that.”

Oklahoma is currently the favorite to land Nwaneri, according to On3’s RPM. Nwaneri has taken three unofficial visits to Norman at this point in time.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Williams Nwaneri’s recruiting profile.

2024 DL Terrance Hibbler lists Alabama as finalist in recruitment

2024 defensive lineman Terrance Hibbler released his top-eight schools. Alabama made the cut as a finalist.

Defensive lineman Terrance Hibbler of the 2024 class listed Alabama in his top-eight schools on Monday. Hibbler received an offer from Alabama in January.

Hibbler plays for Holmes County Central High School in Lexington, Mississippi. As a junior, he tallied 59 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and four sacks.

At 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, Hibbler has quite the impact along the Jaguars’ defensive line unit. His strength and athleticism for an interior defensive lineman stands out in his highlight tape.

According to On3’s RPM, Alabama is the favorite to land Hibbler at 33.3% likelihood. Hibbler will take an official visit to Tuscaloosa on June 2.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Terrance Hibbler’s recruiting profile.

Best Twitter reactions to Keanu Benton being drafted by Steelers

What does Twitter think of the Steelers’ pick?

Former Badger defensive lineman Keeanu Benton was selected in the second round, 49th overall, by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft. He became the second Badger off the board, hearing his name called six picks after center Joe Tippmann was picked by the Jets.

Benton will head to a team in the Steelers that has always prided themselves on the defensive side of the ball, joining stars like fellow Badger T.J. Watt and All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward in Pittsburgh as well as former teammate Isaiahh Loudermilk.

Overall, Benton just seems like a Steeler type and will look to fortify the team’s run defense by clogging up the interior running lanes for their opponents.

Here’s what Twitter thought of the selection by Pittsburgh:

Badgers offer three-star defensive lineman from Illinois

Wisconsin offered Joe Barna, a three-star class of 2024 defensive lineman from Wheaton, Illinois on Wednesday.

Wisconsin offered Joe Barna, a three-star defensive lineman from Wheaton, Illinois on Wednesday. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound athlete still has one more season of football at Wheaton North High School before he’d potentially make the leap to the collegiate level.

To this point, Barna has received 17 Division 1 offers, including Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin in the Big Ten. Considering he’s from the Midwest, it’s likely that he will end up in the conference, but nothing is guaranteed.

Head coach Luke Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel have already reeled in two defensive athletes for the class of 2024, bringing in three-star linebackers Thomas Heiberger (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) and Landon Gauthier (Green Bay, Wisconsin).

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Former Alabama DL Stephon Wynn Jr. transferring from Nebraska

Former Alabama defensive lineman Stephon Wynn Jr. entered the transfer portal on Wednesday. He spent this past season at Nebraska.

Former Alabama defensive lineman Stephon Wynn Jr. is transferring from Nebraska after spending one season with the program. Wynn Jr. entered the transfer portal on Wednesday morning.

Wynn Jr. was a four-star recruit coming out of IMG Academy. He chose the Crimson Tide over other programs like Clemson and Georgia.

The South Carolina native spent his first four seasons in Tuscaloosa. Wynn Jr. was a reserve defensive lineman in each of the four seasons. He tallied 16 tackles in his time at Alabama.

After the 2021 season, Wynn Jr. entered the transfer portal and committed to Nebraska. In one season with the Cornhuskers, he recorded 22 tackles.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama football program and former players in the transfer portal.

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DL A’Shawn Robinson signing with New York Giants

Former Alabama defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson signed a one-year deal worth up to $8-million. The two came to terms on Monday afternoon.

Former Alabama defensive lineman and Super Bowl LVI champion A’Shawn Robinson signed with the New York Giants on Monday afternoon. The two sides came to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $8-million.

Robinson began his professional career with the Detroit Lions in 2016. In four seasons with the team, he tallied 172 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and seven sacks.

Following the 2019 season, Robinson signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams. There, he spent the next three seasons. Despite having multiple injuries, Robinson still found himself to be an intrical piece of the Rams’ defensive line unit.

He recorded 121 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks in his Rams career.

The Giants have been unable to reach a contract extension with defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Therefore, the addition of Robinson is huge at this point in time. He is a great run-stopper and has proven that he can rush the passer effectively as well. Robinson will benefit from being a part of a unit that was in desperate need a presence along the interior of the defensive line.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama players in the NFL.

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Alabama offers Texas native, 2024 DL Travis Jackson

2024 defensive lineman Travis Jackson received an offer from Alabama on Wednesday evening. He was a high school teammate of current Alabama defensive lineman Jordan Renaud.

The Alabama coaching staff extended its latest offer to 2024 defensive lineman Travis Jackson.

Jackson plays for Tyler Legacy High School in Tyler, Texas. He was a high school teammate of current Alabama players Jam Miller and Jordan Renaud.

As a junior, Jackson tallied 60 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. He was a key piece of the Raiders’ defense last season.

He has received a handful of power-five offers. Other programs that have offered him are Houston, Texas Tech, and Missouri.

Jackson has taken two unofficial visits at this point in time. He visited Texas Tech in October. Jackson also visited Texas in January. The Longhorns have yet to offer.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Travis Jackson’s recruiting profile.

Alabama lands in top 10 for in-state, 2024 DL Malik Blocton

2024 defensive lineman Malik Blocton listed Alabama as a finalist in his recruitment on Monday. Blocton’s brother, Marcus Harris, plays defensive tackle at Auburn.

Defensive lineman Malik Blocton of the 2024 class released his top schools on Monday. Alabama was listed as a finalist in his recruitment along with a variety of other SEC schools.

Blocton plays for Pike Road High School in Pike Road, Alabama. As a junior, Blocton tallied 54 tackles and six sacks for the Patriots. He was a part of a Patriots squad that won the Class 5A state championship in 2021. Blocton was also a teammate of current Alabama defensive lineman Khurtiss Perry.

Blocton’s brother, Marcus Harris, plays defensive tackle for Auburn. He included Auburn in his list of top schools. According to On3’s RPM, Blocton is also trending toward the Tigers at 52.5% likelihood.

Alabama has hosted Blocton for two unofficial visits, however. While the Tide may not be favored necessarily, there is still plenty of time to cover some ground in Blocton’s recruitment.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Malik Blocton’s recruiting profile.

Alabama lands in top 10 for in-state, 2024 4-Star DL Jeremiah Beaman

2024 defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman released his top 10 schools on Sunday. Alabama was included as a finalist in his recruitment.

The Alabama coaching staff has been pursuing 2024 defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman since May of 2022 and the Tide were recently listed as a finalist in Beaman’s recruitment.

Beaman will be a senior at Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama next season. During his junior season, Beaman tallied 50 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. His presence along the Thundering Herd’s defensive line loomed large a season ago in Class 6A.

247Sports’ Cooper Petagna described the type of player that Beaman is:

Flashes a quick first step off the line of scrimmage and demonstrates good foot and body quickness for his size. Shows the ability to win with athleticism at the point of attack but will need to continue to develop his ability to consistently play with power and above-average play strength when attracting double teams. Understands how to utilize his length to disrupt passing lanes and can be used off the edge or as a nose in certain passing down situations.

Alabama has hosted Beaman for four unofficial visits. The only other school that has hosted him on campus more times than Alabama is the in-state rival Auburn Tigers. Beaman has taken five unofficial visits to Auburn.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Jeremiah Beaman’s recruiting profile.

Wisconsin offers four-star defensive lineman from Texas

The Badgers offered Lance Jackson, a four-star class of 2025 defensive lineman from Texarkana, Texas on Wednesday.

The Badgers offered Lance Jackson, a four-star class of 2025 defensive lineman from Texarkana, Texas on Wednesday. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound athlete still has two more seasons of football at Pleasant Grove High School before he’d make the jump to a college program.

Jackson has now received 16 Division 1 offers, with Wisconsin joining the Notre Dame as the second program to offer him from within the Midwest. Home state schools like Texas Tech, SMU, North Texas and UTSA have already offered him, with Texas likely soon to follow.

With Luke Fickell now at the helm as head coach and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel joining him from Cincinnati, the Badgers may be as strong of a recruit destination as ever moving forward and could have a legitimate shot at Jackson in 2025.

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