Dominant Defensive Lines Across WI

The war in the trenches is where games are won and lost. Teams that are able to control the line of scrimmage or create disruption and chaos in the offensive backfield almost always see the tides turn in their favor over the course of a game. So, it is paramount to have talent along the DL that have the strength to bull rush and control the line of scrimmage as well as the quickness to shoot gaps or win laterally. There are multiple teams across WI that are going to field a plethora of DL talent. That is the focus of today's Top Units article. If you need DL help, these schools are the places to go over the next few seasons.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Madison Edgewood</h2>   Edgewood is going to field a deep collection of DL talent. Leading the way is stud DT [player_tooltip player_id='268986' first='Wesley' last='Coates']. The 6'3" 270 lbs DT has an impressive blend of quickness and power. He can shoot through gaps with his quick get off, has the power to collapse the pocket with his bull rush, and he has shown effective hand usage. Joining him on the DL is DE [player_tooltip player_id='634703' first='Carter' last='Wieseckel']. Carter is a 6'4" 220 lbs athlete fits the mold of a speed rusher off the edge. He explodes out of his stance and uses long strides to eat up ground and close on the QB. Carter has the range to make plays all over the backfield too. He looks like one of the biggest steals on the DL in the Class of 2024.   Rounding out the group is '25 DT [player_tooltip player_id='299485' first='Jackson' last='Kitzmiller']. The 5'11" 235 lbs incoming junior has been making a varsity impact since he was a freshman. His explosive first step gives IOL fits as they try to get an angle to cut him off. Jackson also translates that speed into power and he uses his natural leverage to get penetration with his bull rush. This unit is going to give OLs trouble as they try to figure out how to block them all.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rufus King</h2>   Another school fielding a trio of talented DL is Milwaukee King. They have a senior and a duo of juniors that will be giving OLs problems this fall. Leading the way is senior [player_tooltip player_id='933424' first='Jaden' last='Johnson']. Jaden is a straight ahead bull rusher at the DE position. He gets out of his stance, and either tries to dip under the OL or will get hands on, lock out, and bull rush right into the QB's lap. Johnson is a violent DE who is hard to get off his path to the QB/backfield.   Joining him is DT [player_tooltip player_id='685893' first='Khadin' last='Williamson']. Khadin looks the part of a dominant DL force at 6'1" 270 lbs. The NG has good short area agility and burst to be able to close on backs and QBs or make lateral moves while engaged with blocks. Khadin also does a good job of playing with his hands. Hands that have the strength to create separation when he makes first contact. He also has proven to be strong in the trenches and can hold the line in short yardage situations. The third member is [player_tooltip player_id='245980' first='Jamison' last='Bonds']. The 6'2" 240 lbs junior lines up at DE and DT and uses his high motor to work his way to the football. Jamison has shown to have short area quickness and active, strong hands making it hard to land and stick blocks on him.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Middleton</h2>   Our final trio of the article is from Middleton. I have high hopes for Middleton's entire team. The trenches matter most, and they are the only team who made this list on the OL and DL. They have the talent to win the trenches both ways. On DL, Middleton is led by [player_tooltip player_id='405470' first='Dominic' last='Frost']. The 6'3" 290 lbs DT is a dominant force. He is blessed with the upper body strength to overpower IOL. He has a great punch and can throw guards off balance. His lower body is quick and gives him range and short area lateral mobility to gain a leverage advantage.   Another '24 to know on this DL is the 6'1" 240 lbs Asher Kolodziej. Asher is a big time sleeper in this Class. He is quick off the line, can slide laterally with good body control, and has a good burst. Asher also has surprising upper body strength that he has used to toss around OL. He uses good overall technique and hand use/placement. Finally, Middleton is home to DT [player_tooltip player_id='383790' first='Quone' last='Burks']. The 6'1" 290 lbs 2025 can dig in and eat up blocks, or quickly overpower one on one block attempts and then wreck havoc in the backfield. The big man does a good job of using his hands to gain separation, and then finds the ball before shedding and making the tackle. He is going to be a force in the middle of this defensive unit.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Franklin</h2>   Franklin has an impressive pair of DL on their roster that should make a big impact this fall. The first is '24 DT [player_tooltip player_id='219916' first='Jace' last='Miller']. The 6'3" 270 lbs DL is the top individual talent in this article. He flies out of his stance, uses his long arms to keep separation and then has the power to bully his way into the backfield or the quick feet to slide or cut around the OL. His quickness is a nightmare to block one on one.   Joining Miller is the 6'2" 230 lbs '25 [player_tooltip player_id='384575' first='Ben' last='Hefter']. Hefter lines up at DE and wins with speed and quickness. He does a good job of using his lateral movement and balance to position himself so that he only has to beat half a man. He also has a good first step. He should be able to get in the backfield often this season with his speed and quickness.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hudson</h2>   Our final pairing to know along the DL is the Hudson duo of 2024s [player_tooltip player_id='634701' first='Sam' last='Dickman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='634710' first='Aiden' last='Tepper- Engh']. Sam is a 6'3" 225 lbs hybrid DE/OLB prospect. His first step jumps off the tape early and often. He has a strong, explosive lower body. The senior also uses his hands well, and when he rushes the edge has shown good body control and flexibility to be able to bend.   Aiden is a 6'3" 245 lbs DL that you will find from DT out to DE. He has good balance to be able to juke laterally and leave OL punching at air. Aiden also eats up cushion out of his stance with a solid burst and can pop an OL to create separation. He also has active hands and will dip underneath OTs when rushing the edge. Aiden is a good football player who plays even faster and stronger than he tests. You have to check the tape on him.

The war in the trenches is where games are won and lost. Teams that are able to control the line of scrimmage or create disruption and chaos in the offensive backfield almost always see the tides turn in their favor over the course of a game. So, it is paramount to have talent along the DL that have the strength to bull rush and control the line of scrimmage as well as the quickness to shoot gaps or win laterally. There are multiple teams across WI that are going to field a plethora of DL talent. That is the focus of today's Top Units article. If you need DL help, these schools are the places to go over the next few seasons.