High school football: Jahkeem Stewart, Elijah Griffin headline top 10 defensive linemen heading into 2024 season

Nation's top two defensive linemen are uncommitted.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
By
Jul 29, 2024, 10:00am
The focus shifts to defense in our position-by-position breakdown of the 2024 high school football season. We already looked at the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. 

Up next, we go to the trenches and zone in on the top 10 defensive linemen.

Jahkeem Stewart of St. Augustine (New Orleans) headlines the list and takes home the No. 1 spot. The five-star prospect is the second-rated player in the Class of 2026 according to 247Sports. Stewart is one of three players featured entering their junior year. James Carrington of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and Bryce Perry-Wright of Buford (Ga.) join the St. Augustine standout.

Elijah Griffin of Savannah Christian (Savannah, Ga.) is the first of seven seniors included. The five-star defensive lineman is the fourth-rated prospect in the Class of 2025 by 247Sports. The Peach State has the most selections with four. Justus Terry of Manchester (Ga.) and Isaiah Gibson of Warner Robins (Ga.) join Griffin and Perry-Wright.

In total, seven different states are represented. Alabama, California, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada and Texas all have one selection.
Keylan Abrams, who committed to TCU in April, has piled up 34 sacks over the past two seasons for back-to-back Texas state champion DeSoto. (Photo: Robbie Rakestraw)
Keylan Abrams, who committed to TCU in April, has piled up 34 sacks over the past two seasons for back-to-back Texas state champion DeSoto. (Photo: Robbie Rakestraw)
2024 PREVIEW: Top 10 defensive linemen

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 280
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2026)
Racked up 85 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 20 sacks as a sophomore.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 285
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2025)
Finished junior season with 97 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks for AAA state runner-up.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215
Status: Committed to Oregon | Class: Senior (2025)
Has dominated against the best competition posting 88 tackles, 48.5 tackles for loss and 27 sacks over the last two years.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to TCU | Class: Senior (2025)
The three-star EDGE has played a huge role for back-to-back 6A Division 2 state champs racking up 161 tackles, 36.5 tackles for loss and 34 sacks over the last two years.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 275
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2025)
The five-star defensive lineman finished last season with 78 tackles and 13 sacks while leading the Blue Devils to their first state championship game appearance in 26 years.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 270
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2026)
Dominated as a sophomore posting 22 tackles for loss and 15 sacks in nine games for Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (Rabun Gap, Ga.).

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 245
Status: Committed to Florida State | Class: Senior (2025)
Helped Tigers win second consecutive 2S state crown after accounting for 94 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 14 sacks.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 245
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2025)
Posted 195 tackles, 59 tackles for loss and 33 sacks over the last two years at Charles Henderson (Troy, Ala.).

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2025)
The five-star EDGE racked up a team-high 17 sacks while leading Demons to AAAAA quarterfinals.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 260
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2026)
Has made a huge impact for Wolves since his freshman year and has landed 39 FBS offers.

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