Baxter: Keep an eye on these defensive linemen next season

Each year prior to releasing the Midlands Top 25, I go through position rankings.

Today, we take a look at the defensive linemen.

At the top is Brookland-Cayce’s Octavious “Tay” Pringle. This big man will be a junior this season and recently picked up his first offer – from N.C. State.

Swansea’s Mason Ray impressed me at the SCVarsity All-State Football Combine, looking unblockable in the one-on-one’s.

The sleeper of this group is at No. 8 – Lexington sophomore Jalen McCoy. He got some starts as a freshman last season and has looked very strong in the off-season and during spring practice for the Wildcats. Look for him to develop into a solid prospect in the trenches.

Here’s a look at my Top 10 Midlands Defensive Linemen:

1. Tay Pringle, Brookland-Cayce, Jr.

2. Mason Ray, Swansea, Sr.

3. DaSean McMillan, Cardinal Newman, Sr.

4. Tromayne Mikell, A.C. Flora, Sr.

5. Matthew Boring, Lexington, Jr.

6. Devan Padgett, Batesburg-Leesville, Sr.

7. Ben Mandrell, Brookland-Cayce, Sr.

8. Jalen McCoy, Lexington, So.

9. Eugene McClinton, Calhoun County, Jr.

10. Nigel Brown, Richland Northeast, Sr.