B/R CFB Recruiting: Most Disruptive Front-Seven Defenders in the 2023 Class

There's no question that quarterback is the most valuable position on the football field, and you need a good one to be able to make noise in college football. But, on the other side of the ball, there's nothing quite like a havoc-wreaking defender.

The NFL values elite edge-rushers, and they are vital in the college game, too. Defensive tackles and linebackers can also have a massive impact on the game, especially if they can disrupt the game plans of opposing offenses.

Each year, coaches around the nation try to get in on the best recruits in the front seven, and winning battles for them is the reason why teams like Alabama, Georgia and Clemson have had so much defensive success in recent years.

Those programs (as well as Oklahoma's Brent Venables, who used to be defensive coordinator with Clemson) are major players for some of the top-tier front-seven defenders in this year's class, too.

Perhaps the best thing about this group of players, though, is that many of their recruitments are still open entering the stretch run of recruiting leading up to December's early signing period.

Who are the top guys in the 2023 recruiting class when it comes to impacting the game from the defensive front seven? Let's take a look at the list.

You can't teach the type of size and athleticism displayed by North Kansas City, Missouri, defender Adepoju Adebawore, who is exactly the kind of big, quick-twitch defender who can grow into a dynamic, all-around defender.

Playing for coach Brent Venables at Oklahoma is the perfect place for him to develop, and the Sooners probably cannot wait to get him to Norman.

The 247Sports composite 5-star prospect is the nation's 35th-ranked overall prospect, sixth-rated edge-rusher and the top prospect in his state, but he may have a higher ceiling than that. He is the type of player who can play from a two- or three-point stance and terrorize quarterbacks from a lot of different angles.

He also has been around the game for a long time considering his brother Adetomiwa played for Northwestern, so he understands the college game and possesses the type of ability so few do in this class.

At 6'4", 240 pounds, Adebawore is already blessed with a college-ready body, and there's no telling how he's going to develop once he gets into a weight program. According to his 247Sports profile, analyst Chris Singletary said the prospect has 10-inch hands and a 7-foot wingspan, too.

The prospect (who goes by P.J.) also runs a 4.8 in the 40-yard dash, 4.3 in the short shuttle, 7.3 in the L drill and exceeded 34 inches in the vertical jump, according to 247Sports' Andrew Ivins, who included him on his list of most athletic players.

He's the total package of what you want in a versatile, edge-rushing defender, and quarterbacks will need to zero in on him early.

The place where Brent Venables used to be (Clemson) churned out elite defensive linemen for years with the now-OU coach as defensive coordinator.

With Venables gone to Norman, recruiting at the position apparently isn't slowing down anytime soon. Wes Goodwin is the new leader of the defense under Dabo Swinney, and he is still getting elite talent to play for the Tigers.

Perhaps the biggest jewel in this year's class is Vic Burley, a 6'5", 276-pound defensive lineman from Warner Robins, Georgia, who had a "who's-who" of offers but ultimately chose Clemson over Alabama, Michigan State, Tennessee and others.

The nation's 46th-ranked overall player is the fourth-rated defensive lineman and the third-rated player in the state of Georgia, and bringing him in was a massive coup for the Tigers. He has the potential and versatility to be able to step in and make an immediate impact.

His 247Sports profile says he has a verified 81-inch wingspan, which is incredible, and he has the size and athleticism to play a lot of different spots along the defensive front, much the way Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy did when they came out of high school.

Whether he plays end or ultimately grows into an interior defensive lineman, Burley will impact plays from anywhere along the front. Swinney got a defensive centerpiece when Burley elected to head to Clemson for his college ball.

The first of several uncommitted prospects on this list, David Hicks is probably the best true defensive tackle prospect in the country.

Hicks is a game-changing player who can be both a space-eater and blow up plays in the backfield from an interior rushing position.

The 6'4", 270-pound prospect easily could play his college ball at 300-310 pounds, and the Katy, Texas, native wouldn't lose any of his athleticism if he added the right kind of weight to his frame.

Despite a top seven of Alabama, Miami, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Texas A&M, reading the tea leaves and the visits, it appears the Sooners and Aggies have the best opportunity right now to land him.

All 100 percent of his Crystal Ball projections on 247Sports have him playing for Brent Venables in Norman, and the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine also leans toward the Sooners, though the Aggies have some votes, too.

Hicks plans to announce his decision at the Under Armour All-American Game, and there is plenty of time between now and then for there to be twists and turns in his recruitment.

You can bet everybody is going to turn up the heat on a kid who can get on the field early next year. Hicks already possesses the power necessary to be a dominant collegiate defender, and once he gets his technique down, he is going to be a force; probably sooner rather than later.

It's not a surprise to see Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher back on a few superstar prospects this season after last year's top-ranked recruiting haul.

The Aggies haven't had the start they wanted on the field in 2022, but Fisher has never had any struggles luring players to College Station (or Tallahassee, for that matter). Thus, landing a player like top-rated linebacker Anthony Hill of Denton, Texas, is not surprising.

But it's still a big deal.

Hill plays for powerhouse Ryan High School, which churns out star players every season. The 6'2", 225-pound second-level defender is the nation's top-rated linebacker and the 17th-ranked overall prospect.

He is an ideal player who could either grow into an elite edge-rusher or, if he stays around the same size, could impact the game getting after quarterbacks from the second level while still serving as a force against the run.

Hill jumps out on film as a massively big hitter who arrives in a hurry, has great instincts and sniffs out ball-carriers quickly. While some services may dock him in their rankings because he could wind up as a tweener, his versatility is why he's on this list.

Who wouldn't want a player who is already an outstanding linebacker and could grow into a big-time edge-rusher? Hill gives you options. He's going to be a star at the next level no matter where he plays.

A fast riser on this list still has a wide-open recruitment in front of him, and things are about to start heating up for newly minted On3 5-star prospect Daevin Hobbs.

The 6'4", 262-pound defensive lineman from Concord, North Carolina, seemed all set to head to play for the Tar Heels this summer before dialing things back and reassessing his recruitment. Suitors are all over the place now.

Hobbs (who is still only the nation's 141st-ranked player and 20th-rated defensive lineman in the 247Sports composite rankings) is woefully underrated across the services despite an outstanding start to his senior season.

Players with his ability and size should be rated much higher, and On3 is ahead of the curve on this; Hobbs is a 5-star talent.

While having the clout is nice, it probably doesn't matter a lot to him. He's going to have plenty of options. Big-time programs already know the big, athletic lineman—a terrific basketball player as well—is going to be a big deal on the next level.

He is going to visit Knoxville this weekend for the Vols' game against Florida, and he also is scheduled to visit Alabama and Georgia this fall, too.

Could others hop in the mix for Hobbs, too? If he listens, you can bet there will be plenty of teams wanting to earn his signature. He is a potentially elite force who can impact the game from the center of the line.

It's not every year that you see 6'5", 225-pound dudes who can play pretty much anywhere, but that's the case with Washington D.C. 5-star prospect Nyckoles Harbor.

That's why he's labeled an athlete. It doesn't matter where you put him; he's special.

When guys Harbor's size run 10.21 100-meter dashes (per the article linked below), you know they're amazing talents. Players like him don't come around every year, and whoever gets him is going to get a can't-miss player.

The only question is, "Where does he best fit?"

Harbor is being recruited by many teams on both sides of the ball. He can play edge-rusher, linebacker or tight end, and it isn't out of the question he will play both offense and defense. This past weekend, he visited South Carolina when Georgia dominated the Gamecocks, and Harbor visited with both coordinators, according to 247Sports' Brian Dohn.

LSU, Michigan, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina and USC make up an eclectic top seven for Harbor, who still seems to be taking things slowly.

With his size and speed, there's just no telling how high Harbor's ceiling is. Honestly, a "ceiling" probably doesn't exist when you're talking about a guy his size with Olympic-level sprinting ability.

While he can be a force on offense and probably should have some special packages, he is a game-changer on defense if he stays on that side of the ball. He can be an NFL prospect, anywhere, though.

He is the No. 10 overall player in the 247Sports composite rankings and the top athlete. If he settles into one spot and dedicates his craft to it, watch out. Harbor is a guy whose name you need to know and could wind up being somebody you remember as a superstar on the next level.

Keon Keeley is arguably the best defensive player in the entire class, and for a while, he seemed all set to head to South Bend.

When Notre Dame started this year's recruiting class sizzling hot under first-year coach Marcus Freeman, Keeley was the centerpiece. Since then, though, he has decommitted, dialed things back and is looking at all his options.

On September 3, Keeley was in Columbus, Ohio, to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes, but the vast majority of his Crystal Ball projections on his 247Sports profile have him playing his college football in Tuscaloosa.

The 6'6", 242-pound edge rusher from Tampa, Florida, also has scheduled official visits to Alabama (Oct. 8) and has been to Florida on September 10. Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports reported Keeley is going to unofficially visit the Buckeyes for the Wisconsin game, too.

It sounds like the two SEC teams and the Big Ten powerhouse are the biggest suitors right now for the big-bodied edge-rusher, though Notre Dame probably can't be completely counted out yet.

While Keeley isn't the "twitchiest" athlete, he can do a lot of things along the defensive front and is big and powerful enough to play three years and head to the NFL. Other players may have a higher ceiling than the No. 9 overall prospect, but Keeley is a sure thing.

He's going to be a collegiate star on Saturdays.

IMG Academy churns out waves and waves of unreal talent all over the field, and the powerhouse has produced plenty out difference-making defensive linemen, edge-rushers and outside linebackers over the past few years.

The 2023 recruiting class is no different.

Samuel M'Pemba is this year's best bet to be an impact playmaker on the defensive front seven. The 6'3.5", 240-pound St. Louis native has huge upside coming off the edge, and while he may add some weight at the next level, he will probably stay on the outside.

M'Pemba is the No. 26 overall player in the nation, and the 5-star prospect is the second-rated edge-rusher and the seventh-ranked player in the state of Florida. Right now, the Georgia Bulldogs and Miami Hurricanes split the Crystal Ball picks for him.

If coach Mario Cristobal could keep him in the Sunshine State and lure him to Coral Gables, it would be a big recruiting victory for The U, but Kirby Smart is hard to beat in recruiting, especially recently, and he has that national championship bling to flash.

Notre Dame and Oregon are the other two teams listed as having "warm" interest from M'Pemba on his 247Sports profile, but others could enter the mix. For instance, he visited LSU this past weekend for the Mississippi State game, so anything could happen.

M'Pemba can play edge, or he could wind up dropping back into coverage as an outside linebacker, too. But he's an elite athlete who is going to terrorize offenses very soon.

Want to hear the most unbelievable thing about dominant pass-rusher Qua Russaw? He may not even be the best player on his high school defensive line.

Whether you prefer him or teammate James Smith (who is also on this list), one thing is certain: George Washington Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama, should never lose a football game.

The Wolverines should pitch a shutout every time, because how can opposing quarterbacks get away from Russaw and Smith?

The 6'2", 230-pound Russaw is a raw prospect, but he is an electrifying athlete with blazing speed off the edge. He's the 28th-ranked player in the 247Sports composite rankings and the fourth-rated edge-rusher.

While the Alabama Crimson Tide don't normally let players of his ilk out of state, there are other big-time suitors, including Georgia, Auburn, Florida, Ohio State and even (supposedly) Alabama State. Russaw and Smith want to play together, too.

"We got the same mindset, see the same stuff, we always go on trips together," Russaw said, according to the Montgomery Advertiser's Jacob Shames. "He's my brother. We just do everything together."

If they're a package deal, somebody's going to have a very nice December.

Much like high school teammate Qua Russaw, James Smith is considering a who's-who of schools.

The interesting thing, though, especially if they want to play together, is Russaw's On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine has the Georgia Bulldogs as the favorite, while Smith's has the home-state Alabama Crimson Tide leading the way.

That's an interesting sideshow to watch down the recruiting stretch. Of course, either SEC powerhouse will develop the players for the NFL, and if they go their separate ways, they may get to meet up several times in Atlanta before their careers are over.

Like David Hicks, Smith is a definite defensive tackle at the next level. Already standing 6'4" and 310 pounds, he looks like he could line up and push around offensive tackles on Sundays, much less Saturdays.

He's the nation's No. 13 overall player and second-ranked defensive tackle in the 247Sports composite rankings, and Smith is going to be a force very soon.

The things that stands out more than anything with Smith are his strength, power and ability to clog up the middle and eat up running backs trying to get between the tackles. Because of those abilities alone, he's going to have a spot on a defense in the near future.

A player with his size and ability doesn't stand on the sideline for long. Whoever gets Smith is getting a college-ready defensive tackle who can slide into a rotation immediately, no matter how deep the roster.

If Matayo Uiagalelei's name looks familiar, it should. You've probably heard about him for at least the past four or five years.

That's because his brother, D.J., is the starting quarterback at Clemson who was once among the top duo of high school quarterbacks in the nation, and the Uiagalelei brothers have been hotly recruited for a long time.

Whether or not the younger Uiagalelei brother heads to Dabo Swinney's Tigers remains to be seen. He's taking his time and taking his own path toward his college of choice.

The 6'5", 265-pound edge rusher from Bellflower, California, is a 5-star prospect and the nation's No. 27 overall player, and he's the third-rated edge-rusher. Right now, it looks like the schools he's focusing most on are USC, Alabama, Ohio State and Oregon.

While brother D.J.'s Tigers can't be ruled out yet, they aren't in the driver's seat. The Buckeyes and Ducks have gotten recent official visits.

"Definitely taking my time. I'm gonna graduate early, so sometime after the season," Uiagalelei told Ducks Digest's Max Torres. "Sometime after the season, I'll make my decision."

Somebody is going to get a great lineman, whether he stays on the edge or grows into an interior player.

Every year, the Sunshine State produces elite talent. While Samuel M'Pemba plays at a Florida school, he isn't a Florida kid. Damon Wilson is.

He's the representative on this list from that hot-bed producer of talent, and boy, is he a good one.

The Venice High School edge-rusher is a 6'4", 230-pound defender who has narrowed down his recruitment to Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Miami and Texas, and none of those should be surprises considering the way those programs have recruited recently.

With Larry Johnson churning out D-linemen, it appears the Buckeyes are currently his "perceived leader," if you believe Eleven Warriors' Garrick Hodge.

The nation's No. 32-ranked player and fifth-rated edge-rusher is going to be a force at the next level because of his length and athleticism. He seems technique-savvy to go along with that burst, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him to pack on 30 pounds considering his frame.

Depending where a program needs him, Wilson could be a stand-up rusher or play with his hand down. No matter where he winds up, it's clear he's going to be charging hard after quarterbacks, because that's the name of his game.

Once he's done with his high school days, Wilson will play in the All-American Bowl and then head to college. He has the ability and the bounce to hop on the field early no matter where he goes.

All stats courtesy of CFBStats and Sports Reference. Player rankings courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow Brad Shepard on Twitter, @Brad_Shepard.