Inside the Interior: Minnesota’s Top Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While they usually aren't as appreciated as their counterparts on the end of the line, interior linemen are essential when it comes to stopping the run and pulverizing the pocket. In this list, I'll look at multiple Minnesota studs at this position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["242416"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"At 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, [player_tooltip player_id='242416' first='Max' last='Mogelson'] looks like he should be playing on Saturday mornings already, but for now, he does just fine under the Friday Night lights. The soon-to-be senior out of Two Rivers is seemingly the best player on the field whenever he's on it, or at the very least the strongest. He bulls through double teams without an issue, throws around ballcarriers like they are little leaguers, and disrupts every facet of the opposing offense with his sheer size and power. Although he only played seven games in his junior campaign, his performance warranted both an all-district selection and the lineman of the year award for his conference. The three star recruit already has plenty of colleges reaching out to him, and his senior year should only prove to magnify the attention surrounding his excellent play.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["368529"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The menace of the midway himself, [player_tooltip player_id='368529' first='Jide' last='Abasiri'] causes mass disruption on the field thanks to his length, athleticism, and instincts. His 6-foot-6, 260 pound frame is both strong and long, and one of his biggest assets is the ability to spread his arms out wide and swat down passes intended for receivers going up the middle. He knows when to engage or when to keep his blocker at a distance, and this high IQ play style allows him to be right at the center of practically every play. In fact, I saw him chase down a sweeping running back while he was at u003cemu003enosetackle. u003c/emu003eClearly, Abasiri can do it all, and the Minnesota Gophers are likely thrilled he committed to stay home and play ball at the U.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["551395"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='551395' first='Mo' last='Saine'] may play like he's insane, but this aggressive style is suited for anyone in the trenches. The Eden Prairie product has a certain aggression to his game that any offensive or defensive line coach knows is practically unteachable, making it all the more valuable. Saine weaponizes his arms with pushes, pulls, and pass rush moves that keep his blockers on their toes. I say 'blockers' plurally because more often than not, he draws a double team. Saine's one track mind for the football is lethal. He bullies his way to the ball, drags the unfortunate carrier down, then stomps his way back to his huddle with an entourage of excited teammates behind him. His passion on the field is infectious, even when watching his film, and this is the kind of guy I would keep my eyes peeled for as a college coach.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["242397"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='242397' first='Lucas' last='Caron'] has the build of a tight end and the closing speed of a linebacker. The 6-foot-6, 245 pound athlete out of Bemidji is long, nimble, and versatile. His eight minutes of highlights include punt blocks, sacks, forced fumbles, and plenty of run stopping. He wedges himself into the A-gap with authority, keeping blockers at bay with his long arms until the running back inevitably either runs right into him, or is forced to bounce it outside of the intended hole. Either way, this makes it very hard to pound the rock for opposing offenses, forcing their game to become one dimensional thanks to Caron's vast skillset. On top of this, he can play downfield when he needs to, utilizing his power to bench press blockers off him and get to the ball. Caron currently holds two division one offers from South Dakota and Illinois State, and I'm certain this list will only grow as teams find out about him.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["281618"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"He's the purest nosetackle on this list, and one of the state's premier products at the position. Hailing out of Wayzata, [player_tooltip player_id='281618' first='Dylan' last='Schultz'] plays to his strengths, quite literally. The 6-foot-2, 275 pounder plugs up the middle with dangerous efficiency, and while he may not always get the tackle, his unblocked linebackers can only go through untouched thanks to his hard work in the trenches. The presence of a stout nosetackle like Schultz seems to slow everything down between the tackles, and this makes it nearly impossible for any sort of power back to influence the game. All in all, while his impact may go unappreciated to a casual spectator in the student section, everyone on the field certainly knows [player_tooltip player_id='281618' first='Dylan' last='Schultz'] is a force to be reckoned with.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64585c075f908"} /-->