’23 Preseason Super 7 – Class 1A 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/2023/06/23-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 Class 1A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan Wright, '24, West Branch - </strong>I saw Wright (6-2, 230) multiple times in person last season, and he stuck out to me right away. He brings physicality on both sides of the ball. He plays through the whistle and with an edge. He's a good athlete as well. His '22 <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14568017/634c1e3fc11a270fa43fb252" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regular-season highlights</a></strong> start with him coming off of the edge, overwhelming multiple would-be blockers and sacking the quarterback. The second clip shows him destroying multiple D-Linemen as a right tackle. You see more excellence watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14568017/63704384a676c70a7c13e093" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">postseason highlights</a></strong>. He piled up 21 solo tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247979' first='Keegan' last='McMillan'], '24, West Sioux -</strong> McMillan (6-0, 260) joined Wright as the only players returning this season after being named a IPSWA first-team all-state selection. He helped the Falcons finish 11-2 and reach the state championship game by collecting 33 solo tackles, 10.0 stops for loss and a sack. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15022936/637ba055e97a850598db2645" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlight reel</a> kicks off with a couple of impressive O-Line clips before turning to him messing up plans for opposing offenses. McMillan's strength stands out as does his consistency in playing fast. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jack Clark, '24, Regina -</strong> The IPSWA named Clark (6-3, 205) to its all-state second-team last fall. He's a very good athlete who also excels on the baseball field. Clark registered 35 solo stops among his 46.5 total tackles in '22. He added 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. Unfortunately his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16498589/jack-clark" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a></strong> does not contain any footage of his exploits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156618' first='Mason' last='Knipp'], '24, Columbus Catholic - </strong>Knipp (6-3, 235) paced 1A in tackles for loss (28.5) and his 72 solo tackles in '22 ranked second. He also produced 4.0 sacks. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14850760/635d5735386e8d04e0c31645" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> reveal a player often shedding multiple blocks on a play and then tackling the ball carrier. He brings bad intentions when he meets his opponents, making sure they feel the hit. He also showed up among our Super 7 offensive linemen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156638' first='Trevor' last='Veenstra'], '24, Pella Christian - </strong>Veenstra (6-4, 250) appeared among our Super 7 tight ends for good reason. He also belongs here as a disruptive defender. He posted 35 solo tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks last fall. As you can see during his<strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15017509/63a652074205b80f1c18c4c7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> junior highlights</a></strong>, Veenstra is an active edge rusher who also holds up well against the run. He fights off blocks and speed by opponents before they set up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320867' first='Cael' last='Trudo'], '24, Van Meter - </strong>The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Trudo contributed on both sides of the ball for the state champion Bulldogs. On defense, he recorded 13 solo tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. When watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14812877/63dbeb1a0dbfbe12c4be19ef" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, we witness a disciplined edge with good burst and closing speed. His long arms and timing help him bat down or redirect passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Hunt, '25, Sumner-Fredericksburg - </strong>The sophomore broke out last season with 22 solo tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks. It was disappointing to not be able to see Hunt rack up those numbers on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16011222/Ethan-Hunt/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->