’23 Preseason Super 7 – Class 2A 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/2023/06/23-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 2A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mac Muller, '24, Osage - </strong>During his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14900039/636811ffbd6b0009b429c0e7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, Muller (6-2, 260) shows he can be a factor up front on both sides of the ball. On defense, he rolled up 34 solo tackles (13.0 for loss) and a sack last season. He's an athletic big guy with good speed to go with strength. He takes on blocks very well and consistently generates a push. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brock Ruzicka, '24, Union - </strong>Ruzika (5-11, 180) isn't the biggest lineman on the field, but he's usually one of the most effective. When watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14818250/63712f27c1250a07c0f20129" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, you see an active edge who is tough to block because of his speed and power. He combines those positive traits with the strength to escape blocks. He racked up 39 solo tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320780' first='Jordan' last='Jensen'], '24, Estherville Lincoln Central - </strong>Jensen (6-4, 220) impressed as a two-way player for Lincoln Central. Mostly coming off of the edge in a 4-3 during his <strong>junior highlight reel</strong>, Jensen appears conscientious about his assignment. He sets a good edge and knows when to get the quarterback. He posted 27.0 tackles (18 solo, 11.5 for loss) and 4.0 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Drew Denekas, '24, Central Lyon/George-Little Rock - </strong>The <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19029536/Drew-Denekas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl profile</a></strong> for Denekas (6-4, 200) only holds basketball video. That's too bad. While you can see the athleticism on the court, it would be nice to watch how he recorded 34.0 tackles (17 solo, 8.5 for loss) and 7.5 sacks for the state champion Lion football squad. It earned him second-team all-state honors from the IPSWA. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jase Wilmes, '24, Clarinda - </strong>Wilmes' Hudl profile page contains <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14912872/631cac735eec880b8ca03e4d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">only one play</a></strong> from last season. In it, he looks to have a cast on his left hand. Despite being encumbered, the 6-foot-3 Wilmes quickly escapes a block for a tackle. He finished '22 with 27 solo tackles, 10.5 stops for loss and 8.0 sacks. It would be fun to see more film of him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thomas Tjaden, '24, Roland-Story - </strong>Tjaden (5-11, 210) performs well during the few clips he posted on his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15030639/Thomas-Tjaden/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a></strong>. He stands out for his physicality, often crashing through and down the line like a bull. He plays under control and with quick reaction time. He totaled 24.0 tackles (8.0 for loss) with 2.5 sacks in '22. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mitchil Smith, '24, Clear Lake - </strong>The 6-foot, 220-pound Smith contributed 6.0 tackles for loss and a sack to the Lions' cause last fall. He posted a few clips from '22 on his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11760683/Mitchil-Smith" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl profile page</a></strong>. It shows him excelling on both sides of the trench. He's a handful on defense with his burst off the line, agility when underway and strength. His offensive line clips also impress. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->