Position Breakdown: Top 10 Defensive Linemen In 2022 Rankings

Up to this point, all of our position breakdowns for the 2022 and 2023 rankings have been on the offensive side of the ball. But now it’s time to show the defense some love. After all, you’ve got to stop people if you want to win. Here are the Top 10 2022 defensive linemen in New Mexico. 1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26235" first="Fabiano" last="Valdez"], Rio Rancho</strong>: Our top DL in the 202 is strong as an ox, moves well and will be a key member of a Rio Rancho defense good enough to make the Rams a championship contender in 2021. 2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134906" first="Mikkel" last="Beltran"], Los Lunas</strong>: With a 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame and 4.8 speed, Belton will be a load for opposing offensive lines to handle in the fall. He was recently offered by Arizona Christian in Phoenix.  We have a feeling some D-I and D-II programs will come calling soon. 3. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134991" first="Jaden" last="Nigreville"], Clovis</strong>: Nigreville was overshadowed in the spring by all the college-bound seniors on the Wildcats’ roster, including New Mexico-bound defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="26157" first="Jaden" last="Phillips"] . Nigreville collected 34 tackles in 5 games, 5.0 tackles for loss and a team-high 6.0 sacks. His 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame gives him plenty of opportunity to grow. 4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26239" first="Joaquin" last="Medina"], St. Pius X</strong>: Medina will be a force to be reckoned with in Class 4A this fall. He registered 26 tackles and 2 sacks in 4 games this spring. Triple those numbers for a probable playoff-bound St. Pius team and you’ve got some impressive numbers. 5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134973" first="Braydon" last="Mignard"], Portales</strong>: Another tall (6-2) DE with numbers that will grab your attention. In 4 games this spring, Mignard had 35 tackles (21 solo), 8 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. The battle between Medina and Mignard for Best DE in Class 4A will be fun to watch. 6. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134978" first="Gage" last="Angeles"], Clovis</strong>: The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Angeles emerged this spring as a legitimate defensive tackle prospect. Now he’s smartly participating in camps in his quest to get better. He recently competed at the Panhandle Showcase in West Texas. Clovis could have one of the top defensive lines in the state and Angeles is an important piece. 7. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26245" first="Julian" last="Holland"], Centennial</strong>: The Hawks’ quest to overtake the Bulldawgs as the top program in Las Cruces begins up front defensively and Holland will bring some needed muscle to Centennial’s D-Line. 8. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135091" first="Patrick" last="Gardner"], Santa Fe</strong>: Gardner has good size (6-1, 230) and should boost a Demons defense that got the opportunity to show its abilities in just two games this spring. 9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134976" first="Brandon" last="Blidi"], Portales</strong>: With a last name of ‘Blidi’, you know expectations are high for Brandon after Philip signed with Texas Tech in 2020. [player_tooltip player_id="134976" first="Brandon" last="Blidi"] enjoyed a solid spring with 25 tackles, 5 TFL and 4 sacks in 4 games. Portales’ D-Line is going to be a monster with Mignard and Blidi. 10. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134995" first="Tre" last="Evans"], Las Cruces</strong>: The Bulldawgs’ O-Line gets plenty of love, and deservedly so, but the defensive line is pretty good too. Evans is listed at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds and he looks the part. <strong>NEXT BEST</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id="135094" first="Jose" last="Maez"], Cleveland. https://twitter.com/fabiano_valdez/status/1390126179760312321 https://twitter.com/BeltranMikkel/status/1388330825666596864 https://twitter.com/GageAngeles/status/1386513402307268617