Top 5 Defensive Linemen in Northern WI

The train moves on with the Top 5 Players by Position in Northern & Southern WI! Our next stop is on the DL. WI has historically known a thing or two about producing beasts in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. The current representatives are doing the tradition proud as there is something for everyone. Pass rushers, run stuffers, space eaters, and penetrators, and disruptors populate this list of players. Every one of these players will play at the next level. Let’s check them out, and see what they have to offer! 1. [player_tooltip player_id="104373" first="Will" last="McDonald"], ’23- Hudson (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14766060/6174bb9347979009c461226b">Will’s Junior Highlights</a>) The premier DL talent in northern WI is the 6’5" 240 lbs DE out of Hudson HS. Will is next up in a long line of D1 prospects that have come out of Hudson in recent years, and I think he is the best of the bunch. Will has earned offers from Long Island University, Lehigh University, Kansas, Akron, Kent State, Fordham, Northern Illinois, Army, North Dakota State, Illinois State, South Dakota, and Iowa State. The big man is also an All American lacrosse player. DL1 for the Class of 2023 has all the needed length, strength, athleticism, and motor to play at the D1 level. I really enjoy watching his highlights because it is a perfect balance of plays where he wins with superior raw talent, technique, and high effort. He is going to dominate line of scrimmages this fall, and continue to add to his long, illustrious list of offers. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="268941" first="Sam" last="McGivern"], ’24- Kimberly (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15722252/6195a71223529c08c03bf57d">Sam’s Sophomore Highlights</a>) This is going to be a fun one to cover the next two seasons. Sam recently received his first D1 offer from Western Michigan. There is so much to be excited about. First off, he is already 6’2" 230 lbs with a 6’7" wingspan. That wingspan tells me we aren’t done watching Sam grow. With even more length added to his frame we are going to see even more dominance on the field. McGivern has also been one of the strongest performers in the weight room that I have seen this offseason, and it came through on tape in 2021. He uses very heavy hands to shed blocks, and is able to get a lot of push with is bull rushes. Those bull rushes, and his speed off the edge are going to be even better this fall thanks to building his squat u to 585 lbs this offseason. You won’t find many DL with his size/strength who also run in the 4.8s and broad jump nearly 10’ as underclassmen. Sam has been rising this offseason. Keep an eye on this dude. 3. [player_tooltip player_id="304378" first="Troy" last="Dietzler"], ’23- Ashwaubenon (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12633566/62032e36041d880a4cb58aa3">Troy’s Junior Highlights</a>) The 6’6" 260 lbs DL is raw when it comes to technique and hand usage, but his play strength is hard to match. It jumps off the screen as he is able to hold his ground and then split double teams. He also has the upper body strength to toss OL to the side so that he can slip past, and make the tackle. Troy also has solid range for a big DL prospect that also comes with a high motor. There are several chase down plays in his highlights demonstrating it. If he can improve on his hand fighting and placement it will take his game to the next level, and really grab the attention of the next level. The Second Team All Conference DL is one of the state’s top senior DL prospects. Check out his tape. 4. [player_tooltip player_id="104375" first="August" last="Maurer"], ’23- Hortonville (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13021185/616f5cc106612b0674bb11d3">August’s Junior Highlights</a>) Whether his hand is in the dirt or not, August proved to be one of the top DL in northern WI this past fall. The 6’4" 210 lbs DE/OLB has a lot of intriguing tools and film. He has repeatedly shown that he can be a three down option o n the edge. He sets it well against the run game, whether taking on blocks or corralling RBs out in space. As a pass rusher, Maurer does a good job of setting up OTs, and beating them with quick lateral moves and some hand fighting moves. This past fall, August relied on his burst, and that lateral agility to get to the QB. You see his basketball background shine through in his smooth footwork. With a deeper pass rush repertoire we could see him become even more dangerous off the edge. Make sure this kid is on the recruiting board when looking for DL here in WI. 5. [player_tooltip player_id="304406" first="Blake" last="Osbahr"], ’23- Green Bay Notre Dame (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13717929/61a6f581a6806504e43ad95b">Blake’s Junior Highlights</a>) Big fan of this kid! The 6’4" 240 lbs DE is going to be a riser this summer, and a breakout player this fall. When watching through the highlights you can feel that Blake has that next level strength that stands out and makes it easy for him to make plays. He can bull rush or hold the edge with that strength, but where he really stands out is that he pairs that strength with heavy hands that allow him to punch and rip past OL. His strength allows him to create separation, and then use his motor and speed to chase down QBs and RBs int he backfield. Blake is the relentless, strong DE that you look for to anchor the edge of a DL. He is under the radar a bit as he is still looking for his first offer. Don’t miss out on this one. Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id="104493" first="Tate" last="Milton"], ’23- Green Bay Notre Dame: 27 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 Sack, 1st Team All Conference OL & DL [player_tooltip player_id="266911" first="Calvin" last="Hansen"], ’23- Appleton North: 17 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 6 TFLs, 6’ 260 lbs Ethan Dunlap, ’23- Green Bay Southwest: 26 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 2 TFLs, 1 Forced Fumble [player_tooltip player_id="226489" first="Caleb" last="Gray"], ’24- Appleton East: 15 Tackles, 1 TFL, 6’3" 200, Football/Swimming/Baseball 3 Sport Athlete