Position Breakdown: Top 10 Defensive Linemen In 2022 Rankings
In this article:
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…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingUp 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. Fabiano Valdez Fabiano Valdez 6'0" | 220 lbs | DL Rio Rancho | 2022 State NM , Rio Rancho: 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. Mikkel Beltran Mikkel Beltran 6'3" | 250 lbs | DL Los Lunas | 2022 State NM , Los Lunas: 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. Jaden Nigreville Jaden Nigreville 6'4" | 215 lbs | DL Clovis | 2022 State NM , Clovis: Nigreville was overshadowed in the spring by all the college-bound seniors on the Wildcats’ roster, including New Mexico-bound defensive end Jaden Phillips Jaden Phillips 6'2" | DL Clovis | 2021 State NM . 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. Joaquin Medina Joaquin Medina 6'1" | 210 lbs | DL St. Pius X | 2022 State NM , St. Pius X: 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. Braydon Mignard Braydon Mignard 6'2" | 190 lbs | DL Portales | 2022 State NM , Portales: 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. Gage Angeles Gage Angeles 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL Clovis | 2022 State NM , Clovis: 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. Julian Holland Julian Holland 6'2" | OL Centennial | 2022 State NM , Centennial: 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. Patrick Gardner Patrick Gardner 6'1" | 230 lbs | DL Santa Fe | 2022 State NM , Santa Fe: 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. Brandon Blidi Brandon Blidi 5'11" | 200 lbs | DL Portales | 2022 State NM , Portales: With a last name of ‘Blidi’, you know expectations are high for Brandon after Philip signed with Texas Tech in 2020. Brandon Blidi Brandon Blidi 5'11" | 200 lbs | DL Portales | 2022 State NM 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. Tre Evans Tre Evans 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Las Cruces | 2022 State NM , Las Cruces: 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.
NEXT BEST: Jose Maez Jose Maez 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL Cleveland | 2022 State NM , Cleveland.
https://t.co/24OPLquHro 4 game Covid season ! 🦍 @gpannoni @DavidHowes5 @JHaywoodUNM @shawn_kemmer @CoachBeauGrech @NSchroeder412 @CoachKelleyLee @JR_Sandlin
— Fabiano Valdez (@fabiano_valdez) May 6, 2021
Blessed To Be Named #2 Defensive Lineman In Class Of 2022! 🙏🏼 By @PrepRedzoneNM @trainwithton3 pic.twitter.com/OXJVByWH7H
— Mikkel Beltran (@BeltranMikkel) May 1, 2021
I had a great time at the Panhandle Showcase. Great atmosphere to learn and Compete. Thank you to @806HsscConnect for the awesome pictures. @chs_wildcats @cfully17 @TrustMyEyesO @chuckdeezdiesel @CoachEvans57 pic.twitter.com/ZkYP4WfBeb
— Gage Angeles (@GageAngeles) April 26, 2021