Ranking Gadsden-area's best DLs in 2024 Alabama high school football season

The Alabama High School football season is quickly approaching and there are plenty of top defensive lineman around the Gadsden area .

The group is senior dominated with nine of the 10 being seniors but the one underclassman was a top lineman on a state finalist. There are plenty of familiar faces with Gadsden Times all-area selections from last year making the list, including Tucker Wilks, Joe Garcia , Nemo Samples and Tae Diamond.

The AHSAA season starts officially on Aug. 22, but most team will start the day after or the next week.

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Here's the Gadsden Time's ranking of the area's best DLs, from 10 to 1:

Best Alabama high school football DL in Gadsden area for 2024

10. Anthony Mil

Fyffe High School

Vitals: 5-7, 160, Sr.

Mil had seven tackles for a loss and five sacks for the Class 2A state champs in 2023.

9. Drake McDevitt

West End High School

Vitals: 6-1, 215 Sr.

McDevitt had a strong 2023 campaign with 46 tackles and four for a loss.

8. Seth Cooper

Sardis High School

Vitals: 6-3, 265, Sr.

Cooper earned all-state at punter in 2023 but don't let that distract you from his performance on the defensive line. He had 45 tackles last season.

7. Taylor Barber

Gadsden City High School

Vitals: 6-2, 235, Sr.

Barber will be stepping into a bigger role as one of the top lineman for the Titans after a 2023 season with 15 tackles for a loss and five sacks.

6. DJ Mackey

Coosa Christian School

Vitals: Sr.

Mackey paced the Conquerors defense with 22 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks during the 2023 season.

5. Cade Mickler

Coosa Christian School

Vitals: Soph.

Mickler shined as a freshman with 106 tackles including 18 for a loss and five sacks.

4. Tucker Wilks

Fyffe High School

Vitals: 6-4, 295, Sr.

Wilks is one of the top two-way stars in the area, earning lineman of the year honors to go with all-state and all-area honors. Last year he had 15 tackles for a loss with five sacks.

3. Nehemiah "Nemo" Samples

Gadsden City High School

Vitals: 6-4, 300, Sr.

Samples earned all-area large class honors in his first season with the Titans. He had seven sacks and 19 tackles for a loss.

2. Joe Garcia

Geraldine High School

Vitals: 5-10, 215, Sr.

Garcia earned all-area honors last year after a 105-tackle season with 22 for a loss and six sacks.

1. Tae Diamond

Cherokee County High School

Vitals: 5-10, 215 Sr.

Diamond was an ASWA lineman of the year nominee last year after putting up 22 sacks and 33 tackles for a loss as the Warriors made the state finals.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Ranking Gadsden-area's best DLs in 2024 Alabama high school football season