The 4A Club Midseason Player Rankings: Defensive Linemen

Every four weeks I like to take a look at the landscape of Class 4A football and come up with my own player rankings based on statistics. How I come up with my ratings is a system based on pro-football-reference.com’s "Approximate Value" system of ratings they use for overall performance during a season. For this article, I’m taking a look at my top 20 Class 4A Defensive Ends and top 15 Defensive Tackles. In addition, I’m also giving out my top 5 overall defensive linemen as well. &nbsp; *Stats are up to Week 4* &nbsp; #1. Dominic Caggiano, Southeast Polk, SR - 19.261 23.5 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Committed: Central Missouri (D-2) (9/27/20) Analysis: Caggiano has played a pivotal part in the Rams defense and is really hitting his stride this year. He’s a speedy edge rusher who can run past the tackle and get into the backfield with ease. &nbsp; #2. [player_tooltip player_id="23829" first="Nasir" last="Washington"], Valley, SR - 16.512 21 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Committed: Miami (OH) (4/19/20) Analysis: Nasir’s proving his worth with an excellent start to his season. He has the size, and he has the strength to get through the line and bring the running back down consistently. &nbsp; #3. [player_tooltip player_id="23892" first="Togeh" last="Deseh"], Muscatine, SR - 15.545 <strong>(Incomplete Stats)</strong> 15.5 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: FCS (Northern Iowa) Analysis: Togeh has taken a couple steps forward in his senior season to become one of the state’s best nose tackles. He’s a very strong player with the size to match who can get in the backfield for a tackle for loss. &nbsp; #4. [player_tooltip player_id="23961" first="Dominic" last="Wiseman"], Davenport North, JR - 15.035 18.5 tackles, 10 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A Analysis: One of the state’s best junior linemen, it’s only a matter of time before Dominic gets an offer of some type. It’s likely a MVFC or MAC school will try to push for him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a Big 12 or Big Ten school pulls the trigger on him also. He has excellent speed for a DT and he has the strength to give opposing o-linemen a terrible night. &nbsp; #5. [player_tooltip player_id="23815" first="Griffin" last="Liddle"], Bettendorf, SR - 14.813 11.5 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Committed: Iowa (11/24/19) Analysis: A 4-year starter, Griffin is looking to make his senior season his best yet. He’s one of the strongest linemen around, as he usually overpowers opposing linemen whether he’s on the d-line or on the o-line. &nbsp; Top 20 Defensive Ends &nbsp; #1. Dominic Caggiano, Southeast Polk, SR - 19.261 23.5 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Committed: Central Missouri (D-2) (9/27/20) &nbsp; #2. [player_tooltip player_id="23829" first="Nasir" last="Washington"], Valley, SR - 16.512 21 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Committed: Miami (OH) (4/19/20) &nbsp; #3. Jalen Smith, Dubuque Hempstead, SR - 14.426 12.5 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 1 TD Highest Offers: NAIA (Clarke) &nbsp; #4. Jeffrey Speer, Bettendorf, SR - 13.250 10 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #5. [player_tooltip player_id="23918" first="Caleb" last="Daniels"], Southeast Polk, SR - 12.952 17 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Committed: Minnesota State (9/22/20) &nbsp; #6. [player_tooltip player_id="23809" first="Max" last="Llewellyn"], Urbandale, SR - 12.507 11 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Committed: Iowa (4/22/20) &nbsp; #7. Kumunule Gbaley, Des Moines Roosevelt, SR - 12.427 6 tackles, 3 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #8. [player_tooltip player_id="23816" first="Jim" last="Bonifas"], Dubuque Senior, SR - 11.747 9 tackles, 5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Committed: Iowa State (2/6/20) &nbsp; #9. Amir Lomas, Davenport North, JR - 11.120 17.5 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #10. DayShawn Hare, Cedar Rapids Washington, SO - 10.967 10 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #11. Baxter Bohr, Prairie, SR - 10.873 13 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: NAIA (Graceland, Grand View) &nbsp; #12. Gabe Jacobs, Ottumwa, SR - 10.832 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: NAIA (Graceland) &nbsp; #13. Patrick Landeros, Marshalltown, SR - 10.749 15.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: D-3 (Hamline, Simpson) &nbsp; #14. Austin Close, Marshalltown, JR - 10.598 22 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #15. Jackson Neary, Des Moines Roosevelt, SR - 10.430 3.5 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #16. [player_tooltip player_id="23995" first="Diego" last="Cortes"], Bettendorf, JR - 10.310 9 tackles, 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #17. Paden Bonner, Cedar Falls, SR - 10.257 9 tackles, 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #18. Andrew DePaepe, Pleasant Valley, SO - 10.229 17.5 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #19. Noah Allen, Cedar Rapids Washington, JR - 10.184 7.5 tackles, 1 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #20. Ahvey Garrett, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, SR - 10.024 10 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: D-2 (Bemidji State) &nbsp; Top 15 Defensive Tackles &nbsp; #1. [player_tooltip player_id="23892" first="Togeh" last="Deseh"], Muscatine, SR - 15.545 <strong>(Incomplete Stats)</strong> 15.5 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: FCS (Northern Iowa) &nbsp; #2. [player_tooltip player_id="23961" first="Dominic" last="Wiseman"], Davenport North, JR - 15.035 18.5 tackles, 10 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #3. [player_tooltip player_id="23815" first="Griffin" last="Liddle"], Bettendorf, SR - 14.813 11.5 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Committed: Iowa (11/24/19) &nbsp; #4. Kaden Klemme, Bettendorf, SR - 14.218 9 tackles, 2 TFL, 0.5 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #5. [player_tooltip player_id="23883" first="Cade" last="Kuennen"], Johnston, SR - 14.002 16.5 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #6. [player_tooltip player_id="23901" first="Cayden" last="Lovett"], Dubuque Hempstead, SR - 13.261 13 tackles, 1 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: D-2 (Augustana (SD), Bemidji State, Minnesota State, Upper Iowa, Wayne State (NE)) &nbsp; #7. [player_tooltip player_id="23920" first="Finn" last="Claypool"], Des Moines Roosevelt/Dowling, SR - 12.649 8.5 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: FCS (Valparaiso) &nbsp; #8. Jaylen Pettus, Dowling, JR - 12.209 17 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: JuCo (Iowa Western) &nbsp; #9. Jackie Wells, Ankeny Centennial, SR - 11.764 22 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #10. Bryan Jurado, Valley, SR - 10.733 4 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: NAIA (Graceland) &nbsp; #11. Capri Wilson, Cedar Falls, SR - 10.468 14.5 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #12. Auron Greenwood, Marshalltown, SR - 10.382 9 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #13. Josue Ramirez, Prairie, SR - 10.068 9.5 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #14. Andrew Harris, Southeast Polk, JR - 10.029 11.5 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp; #15. Anterio Thompson, Dubuque Hempstead, JR - 9.808 16 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs Highest Offers: N/A &nbsp;