By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There are many talented defensive linemen across our coverage area that features more than 60 teams. Below are some of the top defensive linemen to watch this season. This list is in alphabetical order.
NOTE: Some worthy players may appear on one of our other SEVEN 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, Offensive Linemen, Defensive Linemen, Linebackers, Defensive Backs and Breakout Players.
Defensive Linemen to Watch
Nick Allen & Mason Hendricks, Lebanon
Usually the conversation at Lebanon centers around elite offensive linemen, but Allen and Hendricks are a pair of standout defensive ends. Both are great against the run, both can rush the passer and both play with relentless motors and toughness, which has been a pillar of Lebanon Football.
Landon Bland, Carthage
Already considered a three-star prospect by 247 Sports, Bland holds offers from Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska and Purdue as a defensive end or edge rusher. His length and athleticism make him a Power 5 coach’s dream. He had eight tackles for a loss and four sacks as a sophomore.
Cooper Clark, Thayer
Clark put up video-game numbers as a junior, finishing with 86 tackles (23 TFLs), seven sacks, four forced fumbles and 15 total quarterback hurries. Heck, he even had an interception. At 6-foot-1, 250 pounds, he plays with a great motor and has the versatility to line up anywhere along the line but specializes at tackle. He’s also a great offensive lineman.
Josiah Hazlewood, Joplin
Hazelwood is an absolute bowling ball of a defensive lineman at 6-foot, 240 pounds and he uses that leverage extremely well, playing with a low pad level and forcing opponents to double him. Rumor is that he’s a 500-plus pound squatter and deadlifter. It shows when you watch him play, he’s a terror.
Logan Hunt, Republic
Republic’s magical run last year was keyed by its ability to establish the run and defend the run; Hunt played a major role in stopping it. The All-COC pick is naturally a traditional nose guard, but Republic likes to move him all over the line which increases his effectiveness. And at 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, he’s still athletic enough to spot some defensive end. Offensive coordinators will continue to try to run away from him this year.
Owen McCullah, Bolivar
Also a standout offensive lineman, McCullah is a little undersized but his strength and explosiveness make him a handful to deal with on the line. He was All-Ozark Conference going both ways as a sophomore and will be one of the best in the trenches in the newly formed Ozark Mountain Conference.
Trevor Meadows, Carthage
He’s Pittsburg State bound after dominating the COC last year. At 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, he’s become nearly impossible to keep out of the back field and gets penetration from nearly any gap despite seeing constant double and triple teams. He can line up at nose, tackle or even on the end. Pitt State got a really good one.
Paul Muff, Camdenton
Muff is another nose guard that is incredible at eating up blocks at the line of scrimmage. Camdenton linebackers often get free runs to the ball thanks to Muff. He’s more than just someone that takes on blocks, he’s proven the ability to make plays against the run and rush the passer.
Nolan Napier, Seneca
He was an all-state defensive end and wrestler as a junior. That wrestling technique has made it nearly impossible for offensive linemen to get their hands on him for long, which is why he was one of the most disruptive guys in the Big 8 last year. Seneca controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and Napier was a large reason why, defensively.
Lucas Wattenbarger, Reeds Spring
He’s a little different than most guys on this list being that Wattenbarger is a straight downhill kind of guy. He’s not going to dance around blocks, he’s going to run through them and try to get straight to the ball. He’s also a standout offensive lineman, earning honors on both sides of the ball.
Trevor Wilson, Springfield Central
D2s throughout the Midwest are lining up for his services and it’s easy to see why. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound senior can play as a defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker, which coaches love. As a junior, he finished with 84 tackles, 16 tackles for aloss and a school-record 10 sacks. He plays with an edge, which has led to him being a four-year starter.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Ruben Arvizu, Ozark
Eli Burgin, Willard
Mario Delapena, Lamar
Jansen Hunt, Aurora
Jaxon Hunter, West Plains
Owen Patterson, Lockwood
Isaac Pickett, Cassville
Dallas Roberts, West Plains
Layne Seago, Houston
Peyton Self, Ash Grove
Skyler Slaton, Branson
Blake Starks, Carl Junction
Gage Warner, Pierce City
Owen Willis, Marionville
