Elite Eight Midwest Defensive Linemen 2022

The top eight defensive linemen in the Midwest in the class of 2022 are all talented football players that have the size, quickness, and change of direction D1 colleges are looking for at the defensive end and tackle positions. They all display the ability to strike then disengage from offensive blockers along with the mobility to make plays along the line of scrimmage, on the perimeter, and in the offensive backfield. <ol> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="39040" first="Caden" last="Curry"]     6’5” 250     DT     Greenwood, Indiana     Cedar Grove</strong></li> </ol> Curry is quick off the snap and is instinctive in reacting to the offensive scheme. He uses his hands to control and keep offensive linemen off his body then shrugs and disengages without stopping his feet. He is a master of the spin technique which he executes without losing balance and body control. Curry has a great motor and doesn’t stop till the whistle blows. He displays lateral quickness and takes great pursuit angles to the football. Curry already has multiple D1 offers and is currently leaning to Ohio State University. <ol start="2"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37521" first="Tyson" last="Ford"]     6’6” 250     DE     Louis, Missouri     John Burroughs</strong></li> </ol> Ford is a tall and intimidating defensive end that has cat-like quickness. Equally as effective whether in a two or three point stance, he uses his long arms to his advantage in shedding blockers in the run game or when pass rushing. Tyson works the edges of the offensive tackle when rushing the passer without slowing down and can transition into retrace mode once the quarterback steps up in the pocket. Ford is very athletic for his size and is currently committed to play for Notre Dame at the next level. <ol start="3"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23944" first="Aaron" last="Graves"]     6’5” 260     DE     Gowrie, Iowa     Southeast Valley</strong></li> </ol> Graves is the perfect combination of strength, power, and quickness as a defensive end who is talented enough to play in the defensive interior as well. This guy comes off the ball like a heat seeking missile destroying anything he comes into contact with whether a blocker, ball carrier, or quarterback. He really is a punishing defensive player that loves to play the game. Graves doubles as an offensive lineman who displays the same aggressive attitude on that side of the ball. He is a fierce trap blocker that decleats the opposition on a regular basis. Graves is committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes upon graduation. <ol start="4"> <li><strong>Issac Hamm     6’6” 270     DE     Sun Prairie, Wisconsin</strong></li> </ol> As with Curry and Ford, Hamm has a huge wingspan and uses it to keep blockers off his body. Issac has a great get-off on the snap when speed rushing from his defensive end position but also displays lateral quickness when slanting or angling. He demonstrates the ability to slip under a block then instantly read and react back to the outside. Issac cannot be blocked one-on-one and is effective in splitting or powering through a double-team block. Hamm has enough speed and athleticism to be a major contributor on special teams. Hamm is a strong lean to the Badgers of Wisconsin at this point in recruiting. <ol start="5"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34380" first="Derrick" last="Shepard"]     6’4” 300     DT     Kettering, Ohio     Archbishop Alter</strong></li> </ol> Shepard has a quick get off on the snap and makes immediate penetration into the offensive backfield from his defensive tackle position. He possesses the power to drive offensive linemen into the lap of the quarterback. Derrick is just as quick laterally as straight ahead, disengages from the blocker and accelerates to make the tackle. Shepard a real workhorse doubling as an offensive lineman where he also dominates the opponent. He is especially athletic for his size. Shepard has already committed to the University of Cincinnati and should see playing time early for the Bearcats. <ol start="6"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30128" first="Alex" last="VanSumeren"]     6’3” 300     DT     Essexville, Michigan     Garber</strong></li> </ol> Alex is a stout defensive tackle that is often moved to defensive end in pass situations where his quickness can be used against slower offensive tackles. He uses his hands well in getting off blocks by using a short swim technique and sliding his hips to the outside to defeat the blocker. Alex is a versatile football player who also plays running back where he is a valuable blocker, short yardage runner, and a receiver coming out of the backfield. VanSumeren is committed to his home-state Michigan Wolverines for 2022. <ol start="7"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34390" first="Trey" last="Bixby"]     6’4” 250     DE     Cleveland, Ohio       Edwards</strong></li> </ol> Trey is exceptional at the defensive end position whether from a two or three-point stance. He is stout at the point of attack and is able to keep offensive blockers off his body due to his long arms and extension. Bixby plays the read option to perfection making it difficult for the quarterback to get a good read as he closes with square shoulder playing both the run and quarterback keep. He displays the ability to run plays down from the backside due to his quickness and proper pursuit angles. Bixby is committed to the Minnesota Golden Gophers. <ol start="8"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37534" first="Domonique" last="Orange"]     6’3” 300     DT     North Kansas City, Missouri     Northtown</strong></li> </ol> This mountain of a man is the interior enforcer on the defensive front. Domonique has surprising quickness for his size and can kick it in to another gear when he wants to. Extremely powerful due to his size, he will be an exceptional college player once he gets on a D1 strength and conditioning program. It’s impossible one offensive blocker to stop Domonique from making penetration into the backfield. He uses his hands well in defeating his opponents and takes good angles of pursuit getting to the football. Orange is currently uncommitted but is leaning to leaning toward the University of Missouri.