2024 Rankings: Dominant Defensive Lineman

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To have a great defense, you need defensive linemen that can rush the passer and stop the run. These four players can do both and are only getting better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406957' first='Dallin' last='Johnson'] || DL || 6'4 || 275 || Springville High School || 2024</strong><br>Johnson is one of the state's most dominant defensive forces, regardless of position. He's a great pass rusher who can drive double teams into the quarterback's lap. Johnson has quick hands he uses to defeat offensive lineman's punch and the quickness to squeeze past them. In addition, he's a phenomenal athlete who explodes off the snap to wreak havoc in backfields. Some defensive tackles struggle to track down ball carriers and quarterbacks but not Johnson. He never quits on a play, and even when he's not making the tackle, he's taking on the double teams so his teammates can succeed. Johnson can single-handedly change a game, and the Red Devils are lucky he's back in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406974' first='Ian' last='Mariner'] || DL || 6'1 ||275 || Skyridge High School || 2024&nbsp;</strong><br>Mariner was one of the main catalysts in the Skyridge Falcon's state championship win. He's an elite defensive tackle who dominates his one-on-one matchups. Mariner's quickness off the snap is challenging to handle, and he's an impressive pass rusher. The Falcon's defensive tackle got a bevy of moves he employs to break into the backfield on dropbacks. Mariner is stout against the run and does a good job controlling his gap. In addition, he excels at taking on and shedding blockers before breaking into the backfield. Mariner may go unnoticed by many because he's an interior defensive lineman, but as soon as you turn on the tape, he pops off the screen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='532685' first='Papa' last='Matelau'] || DL || 6'0 || 245 || East High School || 2024&nbsp;</strong><br>Matelau is one of the state's top pass rushers. He can get after quarterbacks rushing from all along the defensive line. Matelau has a deep bag when it comes to pass-rush moves. His power pops off the screen with the way he uses his strength and bend to get past blockers. Matelau is quick off the snap and often beats the offensive lineman across from him out of his stance. He can go around or through offensive linemen and has the athleticism to finish plays. Matelau has impressive arm length that allows him to disrupt quarterbacks' rhythm, and he uses them to devastate offensive linemen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kash Dillon || DL || 6'5 || 210 || Corner Canyon high School || 2024&nbsp;</strong><br>Dillion was a force to be reckoned with all season for the Chargers. As one of the state's top pass rushers, he always finds his way into the backfield. Dillion displays elite bend and does an excellent job dipping under offensive tackles. He's always working with his hands to get past offensive linemen and has an outstanding motor. In addition, he has good arm length that allows him to keep offensive linemen off him when rushing the passer and while holding them up in the run game. Dillons always looking to create turnovers and does a great job punching the ball out as he wraps up for a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><br> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->