Louisiana high school football: Here are the top defensive linemen for the 2023 season

Five-star Acadiana standout, Texas A&M commit Dominick McKinley heads this year's list

College football recruiters have been flocking to Louisiana to recruit the likes of players like 2024 five-star Acadiana defensive lineman Dominick McKinley. 

Coaching staffs from across the nation will continue to pile up frequent flyer miles in the upcoming years in pursuit of players like St. Augustine sophomore Jahkeem Stewart.

St. Augustine and Edna Karr boast star-studded defensive lines with highly-coveted recruits lined up across the board.

Keep reading to find out more about the state's top defensive linemen.

Louisiana's Top Players To Watch in 2023

Quarterbacks | Receivers/Tight Ends | Running Backs | Offensive Linemen 

Dominick McKinley, 6-6, 270, Sr., Acadiana

Listed as a five-star prospect, the No. 1 player in Louisiana and the No. 22 player in the nation, according to the On3 consensus rankings. Self-reports a 4.6 time in the 40-yard dash. Committed to Texas A&M a few hours before the first game of his senior season.

McKinley bench presses 345 lbs, power cleans 400 lbs and has a 36-inch vertical jump. As a junior, registered 90 tackles with 12 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

Ahmad Breaux, 6-4, 250, Sr., Ruston

On3 ranks Breaux, an LSU commit, as the No. 12 player in Louisiana. Recorded 62 tackles, six tackles for loss, six sacks and two fumble recoveries as a junior while helping the Bearcats to a 13-2 record and a Division I non-select runner-up finish.

Melvin Hills, 6-4, 265, Sr., Lafayette Christian

University of Texas commit who is ranked as the No. 12 player in Louisiana by Rivals. Led Lafayette Christian to a Division II select runner-up finish in 2022.

Committed to the Longhorns in July after naming a final top three of Auburn, Ole Miss and Texas. As a junior, totaled 90 tackles with 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

Gabriel Reliford, 6-3, 250, Sr., Evangel Christian

Rated as a four-star prospect, the No. 4 player in Louisiana, the No. 13 defensive lineman in the country and the overall No. 121 player by On3. Texas A&M commit who is being pursued hard by LSU. Listed as an edge rusher by 247 Sports.

Some college programs see Reliford bulking up and playing with his hand on the ground. Has 12 solo tackles, 13 assists and three tackles for loss through the first two games this season. Has carried the football in short-yardage situations.

D'Myrion Johnson, 6-2, 280, Sr., Westgate

Rivals ranks Johnson four stars and lists the LSU commit as the No. 6 player in Louisiana, the No. 13 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 211 overall player.

Helped Westgate to its first state title in 2021 and a Division I non-select semifinal appearance last year. Westgate's first two games this season resulted in two wins while allowing only 21 points.

Brody Whatley, 6-5, 250, Jr., Neville

247Sports rates Whatley three stars and lists him as the No. 18 player in Louisiana. Missouri, Texas-San Antonio, Tulane, Arkansas, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana Tech and Baylor have offered Whatley, who is projected as a strong-side defensive end by Rivals.

Has helped Neville to two close wins over Evangel Christian and Ouachita Parish. The Tigers won the two games by a total of five points.

Jahkeem Stewart, 6-6, 280, So., St. Augustine

Listed as a five-star prospect and the nation's No. 2 player by Rivals, which projects Stewart as a strong-side defensive end. Has led the Purple Knights to a 2-0 start with a defense that has allowed 13 points.

Nickname is "Thanos." One of five Rivals five-stars in the Class of 2026.

Jayden Scott, 6-4, 240, Sr., Archbishop Shaw

247Sports lists Scott as the No. 19 player in Louisiana and the No. 51 defensive lineman nationally. The Tulane commit chose the local Green Wave over Georgia Tech, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, Louisville, Georgia Tech and others.

Scott has been a driving force for a Shaw program that has risen to prominence again under coach Hank Tierney. The Eagles reached the Division II select quarterfinals in 2022.

Geordan Guidry, 6-3, 240, Sr., Ruston

The Tulane commit is ranked as the No. 16 player in Louisiana and the No. 41 defensive lineman in the county by Rivals. Guidry, who is projected as a strong-side defensive end by Rivals, chose the Green Wave over offers from Ole Miss, Missouri and Kansas State, among others.

Two-time first-team selection for Ruston, a 2022 Division I non-select semifinalist.

Swazy Carheel, 6-3, 230, Sr., Many

Was part of a defense at Class 2A Many - along with Tylen Singleton and Tackett Curtis - that was among the state's best regardless of class last year. Ranked as the No. 31 player in Louisiana and is projected as an edge rusher by On3.

Miami, Arkansas State, Western Kentucky, North Texas, UNLV, South Florida and Memphis have offered, as have multiple in-state programs. Helped Many to a perfect season and the 2022 Division III non-select state title.

Cornell Harris, 6-2, 270, Sr., St. Augustine

Marshall, Arkansas State, Troy, Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech are among the schools that have offered Harris, who goes by the moniker "The Technician."

Darryus McKinley, 6-3, 255, So., Acadiana

The younger brother of Dominick McKinley is a star in his own right. The sophomore is ranked as a four-star prospect, the No. 7 player in Louisiana, the nation's No. 12 defensive lineman and the overall No. 88 player by 247Sports.

He is Acadiana's sole sophomore starter. Plays defensive end for the Rams and is projected as an edge rusher by On3.

Kameron Cyprien, 6-3, 225, Sr., Carencro

Cyprien is best described as an athlete. Caught four passes for 152 yards with three TDs in his team's district opening win over Barbe. Lines up at tight end and wideout on offense.

On defense, has 4.5 sacks through two games. His position in college is yet to be determined - could play linebacker, defensive end, or be an offensive skill player.

Sandy Lewis, 6-2. 225, Sr., Lafayette Christian

Another versatile player who is projected at different positions. Ranked as the No. 21 player in Louisiana by Rivals, which projects Lewis as an inside linebacker. On3 lists Lewis as an edge rusher, or defensive end.

Alabama, Texas A&M and Ole Miss extended offers to Lewis, who chose to commit to Football Championship Subdivision school McNeese State, where his brother Masey plays.

Richard Anderson, 6-4, 280, So., Edna Karr

LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Florida State have offered Anderson, who is ranked as a four-star prospect by 247Sports.

Diego Spears, 6-0, 240, Sr., Dutchtown

Has helped Dutchtown to a 2-0 start with nine solo tackles, four tackles for loss, three hurries and a fumble recovery. Unanimous first-team all-district selection as a junior.

Dylan Singleton, 6-4, 280, Jr., Loreauville

Two-way player is a pancake machine at offensive tackle. Very disruptive on defense and displays light feet on the basketball court.

Tezarron Stewart, 6-4, 240, Sr., Abbeville

Named District 5-3A defensive MVP as a junior after recording 62 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and five sacks. Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana have offered.

Corey Adams Jr., 6-4, 240, Jr., Edna Karr

Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Tulane have offered.

LaDavion Walls, 6-3, 240, Sr., St. Augustine

Edge rusher holds an offer from Marshall.

Talan Bingham, 6-3, 305, Sr., Terrebonne

McNeese St, Nicholls St, Northwestern St. and Southeastern Louisiana have offered.

Laramie Guidry, 6-6, 230, Sr., University Lab

Central Arkansas commit.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Jaden Moore, 6-3, 280, Sr., West Feliciana

Warren Roberts Jr., 6-2, 220, Jr., St. Augustine

Frederick Downing Jr., 6-4, 270, So., Hahnville

DK Mays, 6-4, 250, Jr., Central-BR

Jaden Dillon, 6-1, 270, So., Archbishop Rummel

Reshad Sterling, 6-2, 235, Jr., Lutcher

Tyron Winslow, 6-5, 260, Jr., H.L. Bourgeois

Sean Hamilton, 6-3, 240, Jr., Zachary 

Photo of Acadiana's Dominick McKinley (center) by McKinley's Instagram page

-- Mike Coppage | @SBLiveLA