’23 Preseason Super 7 – 8-Player Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-5a-defensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Class 5A Preseason Super 7 D-Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-4a-defensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Class 4A Preseason Super 7 D-Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-3a-defensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Class 3A Preseason Super 7 D-Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-2a-defensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Class 2A Preseason Super 7 D-Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-1a-defensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Class 1A Preseason Super 7 D-Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-a-defensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Class A Preseason Super 7 D-Line</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-quarterbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 QBs</a>&nbsp;(scroll down in link for all classes)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 RBs</a>&nbsp;(scroll down)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-receivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 WRs (scroll down</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-a-tight-ends/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 TEs (scroll down</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-a-offensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 OL (scroll down</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa –&nbsp;</strong>We've reached mid-July. A new high school football season is right around the corner. It will be here before we know it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To help get us prepared, we're listing seven top players returning at each position in all seven classes. You can read about the positions we've covered at the links above.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're digging in on defense. Next up is the 8-Player Class:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156536' first='Colton' last='Leichty'], '24, WACO - </strong>Leichty (6-3, 205) racked up 90 tackles (60 solo, 27.0 for loss) and 17.0 sacks as a junior in '22. He was the lone non-senior on the IPSWA all-state first-team. While 8-Player differs quite a bit from 11-on-11, there's no denying his dominance. As we can see watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12470629/6400e65cd225bf0b84827d41" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, Leichty plays very fast but under control. That combination makes him tough to avoid. He gets off of blocks well, and keeps his head up and eyes on the target. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455004' first='Nolan' last='Birdsall'], '25, West Harrison - </strong>The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Birdsall totaled 47.5 tackles (32 solo, 23.0 for loss) and 17.5 sacks as a sophomore last fall. The frontend of his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16444985/645d00404df60f0b6866bfcb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'22 highlights</a></strong> feature a lot of offensive plays. He shows skill running with the ball taking a handoff or after catching a pass. On defense, he lines up with a hand in the dirt but plays more like a linebacker. He runs well laterally and displays good tackling form. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320756' first='Mekhi' last='Benton'], '24, Central City - </strong>Benton (6-3, 195) impresses you when watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13753920/6376a581bee08408bc02bcab" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>. He's quick and strong coming off of the edge. He mixes up his moves well and plays with good balance, allowing him to break off his rush and stand up to the run. As an 11th-grade last year, Benton stacked up 56.0 tackles (19.5 for loss) to go with 14.0 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silas Walston, '24, Bedford - </strong>The beginning clips on a <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14812599/6441fb26da5c0a0e2042b102" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highlight video</a></strong> from a game last season show Walston (6-3, 185) on offense. He delivered plays. Then we get to defense. He overwhelms the offensive linemen with a quick burst off of the snap, following up with strength and speed. He registered 46.5 tackles in '22 with 17.0 of them resulting in lost yardage. He also contributed 9.0 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245833' first='Abram' last='Edwards'], '25, Winfield-Mount Union - </strong>Edwards (6-5, 212) landed among our Super 7 tight ends as well. He very much stands out during his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11757548/6396b60abee0f40cd45b76a7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">offensive highlight reel</a></strong>. He also shines on his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11757548/63e556efd21b450ab88c3aca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defensive highlights</a></strong>. He disrupts proceedings with excellent athleticism along with physicality rushing from the outside. He accumulated 19 solo tackles and 13.0 stops for loss. He added 6.5 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaxson Bowlin, '24, Martensdale-St. Mary's - </strong>Bowlin's <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14862374/Jaxson-Bowlin/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl profile page</a></strong> only holds a couple of clips of him playing football in '22. At 5-11, 178, he's not the biggest guy on the field, but he plays with a good deal of physicality and strength. He understands containment and aids in keeping plays inside of him. Of his 34.0 tackles in '22, 20 were solo. He was credited with 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1358967' first='Jax' last='Pryor'], '26, Woodbine - </strong>There's not much football video from Pryor's freshman season on his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14715908/Jax-Pryor/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a></strong>. However, the available clips reveal a freshman with strength and speed beyond his years. It led to him posting 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season. Checking in at 6-3, 245 for his freshman season in '22, Pryor is to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->