2024 Defensive Playmakers Who Can Dominate the Line

Earlier in the week, we began the process of looking at the next group of senior prospects. Continuing on with that, today we look at the crop of defensive linemen in the Class of 2024 as they get set to take center stage in the fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='331132' first='William' last='Goodvine III'], 6'2, 230 pounds, Westfield   [player_tooltip player_id='331132' first='William' last='Goodvine III'] is a prospect with a lot of up-side and the ability to deputize as a defensive end or defensive tackle. Goodvine is coming off a season where he registered 59 tackles. His five tackles-for-loss as a junior should give fans in Westfield a lot to be excited about heading into next season. He added one sack, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery. Goodvine has a high ceiling, and he could be a prospect that takes a giant step forward next year and possibly plays his best football at the next level. Teams need to get him on their radars.   [player_tooltip player_id='323933' first='Brady' last='Wolf'], 6'2, 205 pounds, Fishers   [player_tooltip player_id='323933' first='Brady' last='Wolf'] sets a tenacious tone for his Fishers teammates. Fishers plays the defensive end position where he posted 41 solo tackles last year. In total, Wolf came up with 97 tackles. Any team looking for a pure disruptor for their front seven should look no further than Wolf. As a junior, Wolf recorded an astounding 21.5 tackles-for-loss. He struck fear in the hearts of quarterbacks having compiled 14 sacks. He hurried the quarterback an additional four times. Wolf forced and recovered one fumble. With his ability to blow up plays and get pressure on the quarterback, Wolf could be an impactful defensive end early in his collegiate career.   [player_tooltip player_id='322397' first='Terrelle' last='Elmore'], 6'2, 210 pounds, West Side   [player_tooltip player_id='322397' first='Terrelle' last='Elmore'] is a high-impact defensive end who will be suiting up for Merrillville in the fall. Elmore departs West Side having had an outstanding career there. In his final year of high school football, he will be looking to build upon a season that saw him record eight tackles-for-loss and four sacks. He gets good pressure on the passer, having tallied five quarterback hurries last fall. Elmore finished the year with 39 tackles. He picked off one pass, forced one fumble and recovered three fumbles. Even with a change of scenery, count on [player_tooltip player_id='322397' first='Terrelle' last='Elmore'] to still be a major difference-maker.   [player_tooltip player_id='541752' first='Dantu' last='Gardner Jr']., 6'4, 205 pounds, Lawrence North   Versatility is always key. That is why [player_tooltip player_id='541752' first='Dantu' last='Gardner Jr']. is someone to keep an eye on. He has the ability to play defensive end on either side of the line. Gardner hit the century mark last year, recording 100 tackles. Garnder forced an impressive 18 quarterback hurries. Those resulted in seven sacks. Add in eight tackles-for-loss and it becomes easy to see why Gardner has generated excitement going into next year. If Gardner can put together another season like this past one, look for him to push his way up the state rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='293668' first='Mj' last='Campbell'], 6'0, 230 pounds, Decatur Central   This list is indicative of one of the big trends in the sport the last several years. Quality pass rushers can change the game in a heartbeat. That is why teams are placing even more emphasis now in finding quality defensive ends. [player_tooltip player_id='293668' first='Mj' last='Campbell'] is another prospect who can give opposing offenses nightmares. But with Campbell, it is not just what he does in the passing-game, but also the impact that he has when opponents decide to run the ball, that makes him a solid prospect. He does a great job applying contain. He can come down and make sure that the running back cannot get to the outside. Campbell consistently gives maximum effort, no matter where the ball is at. He finished the season with 67 total tackles, 42 of which were solo tackles. 14 of his stops resulted in lost yardage. He sacked quarterbacks 12.5 times and hurried QBs 19 times in total. He defended against one pass, forced one fumble and recovered a fumble.   [player_tooltip player_id='272677' first='Elijah' last='Chandler'], 6'2, 225 pounds, Center Grove   Center Grove has earned the reputation of a program that produces a ton of talented prospects every year. [player_tooltip player_id='272677' first='Elijah' last='Chandler'] is sure to top the list for the Class of 2024. Like Campbell, Chandler came up with 67 tackles in 2022. He recorded 29 solo tackles. Chandler recorded nine tackles-for-loss and five-and-a-half sacks. Chandler has shown what he is capable of. Now, he will look to ascend to a new level in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='351864' first='Hunter' last='Bennett'], 6'4, 200 pounds, Mooresville   [player_tooltip player_id='351864' first='Hunter' last='Bennett'] is a game-wrecker off the edge for Mooresville. He has long arms which he uses to create all kinds of difficulties for his opponents. He gets his hands up and deflects passes. That, however, is not completely limited to his physical attributes. There is also a need for instinct and an ability to read the eyes of the quarterback. Bennett uses his hands well to disengage and defeat the block. Bennett gets into the backfield so often you would think that he started the play there. He brings the kind of effort and disruptiveness that is needed at the next level.

Earlier in the week, we began the process of looking at the next group of senior prospects. Continuing on with that, today we look at the crop of defensive linemen in the Class of 2024 as they get set to take center stage in the fall.