City Series: Top 5 Defensive Linemen in Albuquerque Metro Region

We continue with our City Series by taking a look at the top 5 defensive linemen in the Albuquerque Metro Region. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="351056" first="Mason" last="Posa"] (La Cueva)</strong>: As we speak, Posa is still a freshman at La Cueva but he has the potential to become a major college DE/OLB prospect by the time he’s a senior in 2024. Posa was overshadowed last season by a pair of FBS signees (Hunter Haemker signed with UNM; [player_tooltip player_id="265002" first="Deven" last="Dyer"] with NM State) but he finished fourth on La Cueva in tackles. The top three tacklers were seniors, so this will be Posa’s defense for the next three seasons. He’s already listed at 6-foot-4. Another inch or two – and 30 or 40 pounds - and you could see Power 5 coaches finding their way to northeast Albuquerque. In today’s college football, defensive ends with size and speed are highly coveted. Posa is also a state champion wrestler. He brings elite athleticism to the gridiron. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="269608" first="Daylen" last="Chosa"] (Bernalillo)</strong>: Chosa and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138072" first="Michael" last="Ash"] </strong>(see below) will form one of the top defensive line duos in Class 4A this season. Either one could have been in this spot. Chosa gets the nod because of his 9 sacks and 6 QB hurries. The Bernalillo defense could be downright nasty in 2022 with several key contributors from last season returning. If the Spartans find some offense, they’ll be dangerous. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138072" first="Michael" last="Ash"] (Bernalillo)</strong>: Here’s the most amazing stat about Ash in 2021. Twenty-four (24) of his 61 tackles were for loss, including 5 sacks. So he spent a lot of time in the opponents backfield, and not be accident either. He has tremendous speed and get-off when the ball is snapped. Ash is also an outstanding offensive linemen, making him one of the best two-way players in Class 4A. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="233603" first="Celestino" last="Reyes"] (La Cueva)</strong>: A rising senior, Reyes looks ready for a sensational senior season. He was impressive at a recent linemen camp in Denver. He’s also a very strong guy. He squats 500 pounds, benches 315 and deadlifts 500. Western New Mexico is showing interest and Reyes made the trip to Silver City for WNMU’s Spring game and Junior Day on Saturday. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="335461" first="Brendan" last="Johnson"] (Eldorado)</strong>: With a 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame, Johnson has the size to do a lot of good things as a senior for Eldorado in 2022  and then at the next level. He had 22 tackles, 8 TFL and 2 fumble recoveries while showing he’s tough for offensive linemen to handle on the edge. Good pass rusher. <strong>Honorable Mention</strong>:; Latrell Treadwell (Volcano Vista); Nathaniel Perry (Cleveland); [player_tooltip player_id="269523" first="Anthony" last="McCullough"] (Valencia). https://twitter.com/MasonPosa/status/1495610011082543105 https://twitter.com/daylen_chosa/status/1500917538271547395 https://twitter.com/TinoReyes19/status/1518007284000903168 https://twitter.com/brendan_j_27/status/1458868916432752646