2023 HSSN football position-by-position breakdown: Scouting the defensive line

By: Chris Harlan
Monday, August 21, 2023 | 6:45 AM

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TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top defensive linemen for the 2023 season.

1. Connor Young

Mt. Lebanon

Senior, 6-3, 260

A Navy recruit with a good motor for chasing down ball carriers, Young earned first-team all-conference honors at defensive tackle. He’ll likely play snaps at both tackle and end this season under new Blue Devils coach Mike Collodi, who intends to move Young around the defensive front to keep opponents from keying on him. He’ll also start at offensive tackle. The Blue Devils held opponents to 13.7 points per game last season. Young committed to the Naval Academy in June. He had nearly two dozen college offers, including many from the Ivy and Patriot leagues, along with Army and Air Force. He’s the third Mt. Lebanon player to commit to the Midshipmen in three years.

Watch Connor Young highlights

2. Ty Yuhas

Central Catholic

Senior, 6-3, 260

Yuhas is part of a Central Catholic defense that’s loaded with future Division I college players. A versatile lineman who’s proven hard to block, Yuhas earned first-team all-conference honors at defensive end last season. He helped the Vikings reach the WPIAL Class 6A finals. He received an offer from Pitt in February and committed five days later. He also had a Kent State offer.

Watch Ty Yuhas highlights

3. Cameron Chmura

North Allegheny

Senior, 6-3, 290

A strong, run-stuffing tackle, Chmura bolstered a defense that celebrated a WPIAL title last season. The Marshall recruit had 42 total tackles and showed an ability to pressure the quarterback with three sacks. He earned first-team all-conference honors at defensive tackle. The Tigers held six opponents to a touchdown or less. He had nearly two dozen college offers, including Air Force, Army, Central Michigan, Kent State, Ohio and UMass. He also starts at offensive tackle for the Tigers.

Watch Cameron Chmura highlights

4. Charlie Meehleib

Elizabeth Forward

Senior, 6-4, 230

The Bucknell recruit earned defensive player of the year honors in the Class 3A Interstate Conference. Meehleib is quick for his size, giving him an edge over many would-be blockers. He earned first-team all-conference honors for the second year in a row. He also starts on the offensive line. He chose the Bison over offers from Army, Air Force, Lehigh, Maine and VMI.

Watch Charlie Meehleib highlights

5. Braden Laux

Belle Vernon

Senior, 6-5, 215

Laux plays the rare combination of a defensive end and quarterback while making plays on both sides of the ball. He passed for more than 1,000 yards last season when the Leopards won their first state title, and coaches voted him first-team all-conference at defensive end after making 32 tackles and five sacks. He is committed to Eastern Michigan, where he’ll play a different position yet: tight end.

Watch Braden Laux highlights

One to watch

Daiveon Taylor

Bishop Canevin

Sophomore, 6-2, 215

Taylor, who can play defensive end or linebacker, was credited with 17 sacks last season for the WPIAL Class A runners-up. He had 62 tackles and earned first-team all-conference honors on the defensive line, drawing attention from college recruiters. He lists Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia among his early offers.

Watch Daiveon Taylor highlights

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Position breakdowns

QB | RB | WR | OL | TE | DL | LB | CB | S | K

Top five coaching changes for 2023

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Bishop Canevin, Central Catholic, Elizabeth Forward, Mt. lebanon, North Allegheny