Top 2021 Defensive Linemen

Defensive Line is easily one of the most important positions in football.  Without a good Defensive Line, the defense is at the mercy of the opposing offense.  With 5 Defensive Linemen ranked in the top 21 overall, there is a plethora of talent at the Defensive Line position for the class of 2021.  Here are the top 5.   [player_tooltip player_id="35348" first="Damian" last="Ilalio"] 6’2 265 5.05 Manhattan The soon to be Kansas State Wildcat is the #1 ranked Defensive Lineman in the state for the class of 2021 and the #7 ranked player overall.  He plays all over the Defensive Line but mainly in a 1 gap as a 1 Tech,3 Tech or 5 Tech.  He shows great burst of the ball and quickly penetrates the gap while playing at a low center of gravity.  He quickly shoots his hands with great power as he overpowers the OL or uses his quickness to beat reach blocks while using his instincts and play speed in pursuit of the RB.  Uses his play strength to bring down the RB with force.  An effective pass rusher who possesses an outstanding motor as he easily beats his man at the LOS and quickly catches the QB bringing him down for a sack.   [player_tooltip player_id="35350" first="Christien" last="Hawks"] 6’4 262 4.80 Norton The soon to be Kansas Jayhawk is the #2 ranked Defensive Lineman in the state and the #9 ranked player overall.  He plays primarily as a DT lined up in a 3T.  Fires off the ball quickly while showing great B gap penetration as he quickly makes his way into the backfield and uses his quickness and Football Intelligence to locate the ball carrier and tenaciously brings down the RB for a TFL.  He shows great pass rush ability as he uses his burst to beat the OG or OT at the Line of Scrimmage and  get into the backfield, his instincts to not bite on play fakes and his athletic ability to catch the QB.   [player_tooltip player_id="35355" first="Caden" last="Reeves"] 6’3 255 5.03 St. Thomas Aquinas [player_tooltip player_id="35355" first="Caden" last="Reeves"] is the #3 ranked Defensive Lineman for the class of 2021 and the #14 ranked player overall.  Caden plays all over the DL primarily in a 1 gap as a 1,3 or 5 tech.  He is quick off the ball and uses his burst to penetrate the gap while playing at a good pad level and immediately is in the vicinity of the football.  He then uses his play strength to bring down the RB as well as his hands to punch the ball out and cause a fumble.  He is a very good pass rusher as he uses a combination of power and speed to beat his man at the line of scrimmage while using his great motor in pursuit of the QB and plays until the whistle on every snap.   [player_tooltip player_id="35357" first="Zac" last="Daher"] 6’4 230 4.79 Wichita NW [player_tooltip player_id="35357" first="Zac" last="Daher"] is the #4 ranked Defensive Lineman for the class of 2021 and the #16 ranked player overall.  Zac plays as a DE in a 5T but also lines up as a DT in a 3T.  He takes a quick first step and wins battles against the OT with his pad level and great use of hands as he shows the ability to effectively bullrush larger OT.  After shedding the block, he quickly locates the ball carrier while displaying excellent closing speed and uses his play strength to deliver a punishing hit.  A very good pass rusher who can use his upper and lower body strength to overpower OL as well as his athletic ability to execute stunts and twists effectively, he then uses his quickness and motor to pursue the QB and brings him down with force for a sack.   Ethan Kremer 6’1 265 4.91 Mill Valley Ethan Kremer is the #5 ranked Defensive Lineman for the class of 2021 and the #21 ranked player overall.  He plays as a DT lined up in a 3T.  Shows great burst off the ball, reads the blocking scheme and uses his upper and lower body strength as well as leverage to impose his will against larger OL.  Good instincts enable him to take the correct angle to the ball carrier and delivers a heavy hit on RB and QB