By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There are many talented linemen across our coverage area that features more than 60 teams. Below are some of the top linemen to watch this season. This list is in alphabetical order.
NOTE: Some worthy players may appear on one of our other SIX football watch lists. In an effort to highlight as many players as possible, A PLAYER CAN ONLY APPEAR ON ONE LIST.
The football watch lists we will be releasing are: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Receivers/Tight Ends, Linemen, Linebackers, Defensive Backs and Breakout Players.
LINEMEN TO WATCH
Jayden Antonelli, Nixa
John Perry raved about Antonelli all last spring and summer for good reason. The 6-foot-4 defensive end led Nixa with eight sacks and 79 tackles. His length and athleticism on the edge are impressive. He’s a D1 prospect that could see a switch to a 3-4 outside linebacker with his frame. With the COC having so many drop-back passers and option offenses that read D-ends, Antonelli will be even more important this fall.
Talan Chandler, Nevada
It takes a lot to catch the eye of Coach Prime and his staff, which is exactly what Chandler did leading up to his commitment in February. He’s in the mold of current pro and former Webb City standout Trystan Colon-Castillo, with a 6-foot-3, 300-pound frame but good feet and a mean streak. Chandler was courted by several programs before choosing the Buffs.
Danen Conrad, Lebanon
O-Line U has another great one in Conrad. He’s built like a bowling ball and uses that leverage to really dominate at the point of attack. Conrad was an All-State selection as a junior, leading the way for Lebanon to rush for more than 1,000 yards.
Dontrell Holt, Joplin
The Class 6 All-State selection picked Iowa State from a host of FBS offers. At 6-foot-5, 285lbs, he has the long-armed, athletic frame that Power 5s covet. While a move to guard may be in his future, Holt has high-level potential long term.
Jacob Lile & Jackson Cantwell, Nixa
A freshman playing varsity football is rare. A freshman playing Class 6 varsity football is even less common. And a freshman becoming a star at the Class 6 level is Jackson Cantwell. We’ll spare you the details, just know that he’s one of the top players in the country as a 6-foot-8 tackle and one of the best throwers in the world at his age. If I told you he’s on track to becoming one of the most accomplished prep athletes to ever come through the Ozarks, I would be understating who he is… that includes DGB. Lile is no slouch either. An All-COC pick and one of the top prospects in Missouri at his position. He’s yet another Nixa Eagle with D1 promise.
Kellen Lindstrom, Glendale
This is one of the best crops of linemen we’ve seen in the Ozarks since O-Zone became a thing, and Lindstrom is the headliner. There are not enough superlatives to describe just how ridiculous Lindstrom is. We’ll start with this…he had offers from every Power 5 conference and we’re talking the big dogs like Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame, Michigan, Oklahoma, etc. He’s a 6-foot-6 edge rusher with a crazy motor, dynamite explosion and incredible hands/feet. He’ll take his talents to Tennessee following graduation.
Carter Nation, Republic
Many linemen are good because of their size, Nation is special because of his athleticism. He’s undersized, but in Republic’s system where he’s often asked to pull and get to the second level, he’s elite. He’s also extremely powerful and explosive. The biggest change within Republic Football is the toughness and physicality, which is exactly who Nation is as a player.
Trace Wooldridge & Dillion Rourke, Lamar
The Tigers boast one of the best defensive lines in the Ozarks and these two get it done in slightly different ways. Wooldridge is the long, athletic defensive end that sets the edge and is a headache in the passing game. Rourke is a double-team commanding tackle that allows Wooldridge and Lamar’s linebackers to get free runs to make plays. They set the tone for a unit that allowed just 11 PPG and pitched five shutouts.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Michael Barrientos, Aurora
Sam Daugherty, Fair Grove
Malachi Housh, Carthage
Shaun Hunt, Webb City
Noah Richardson, Hollister
Toby Moore, McDonald County
Jerrett Walls, Forsyth
Logan Walls, Cabool
Demarii Williams, Rolla
Gunner Williams, Lebanon
