Show-Me State Superstars: 2024 DL

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can confidently say that defensive line is the most talented position group in Missouri's 2024 class. The depth at edge rusher is fantastic and there is some top tier talent at the defensive tackle position as well. This article highlights my personal top ranked defensive line prospects. Although Missouri contains more FBS level defensive prospects, below I detail why these seven are specifically the best defensive linemen in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172169"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='172169' first='Demetrius' last='Jones'] is one of the more underrated defensive tackles in Missouri. Demetrius holds fourteen offers, and although one comes from Iowa State, I would expect more FBS schools in the region to recruit the stout defender out of St. Louis. Watch for Demetrius to shoot up FBS recruiting boards before 2024 gets here.rnrnDemetrius shows the athletic ability to play at any interior position by the range he displays shedding blockers to sack scrambling quarterbacks from behind. Coaches love Demetrius' strength, but recruiters really get excited seeing Demetrius' mentality in the way he finishes blocks on offense and uses powerful, efficient hand technique as a run defender. Good football IQ shows immediately recognizing trap plays when Demetrius is left unblocked. Quickness and speed allow Demetrius to pressure the quarterback with speed rushes as well as using power to dominate blockers with a strong bull rush.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["177069"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='177069' first='Jayshawn' last='Ross'] is a highly talented athlete out of Liberty North High School. The Kansas City recruit released a list of top schools on July 8th including Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Penn State, and Nebraska. I would expect Jayshawn to play offense at the next level, but don't be surprised when defensive coaches are focused on his production as an edge rusher this fall.rnrnJayshawn shows a good combination of length, strength, and flexibility beating tackles with a dip and rip move to get to the quarterback with ease. Great pass rusher potential shows beating offensive tackles with one-handed counter moves. Rare strength shows extending and running through three blockers to complete a sack. Jayshawn shows a solid anchor setting the edge in the run game and holding his ground versus offensive tackles or lead blocking fullbacks.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["130187"],"_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='130187' first='Darius' last='Pahmahmie'] is a dominant interior defensive line prospect out of Kansas City. Darius committed to UNLV on May 24th. Watch for the top DT recruit to have more FBS coaches attempting to flip his commitment before Darius graduates next year.rnrnDarius shows a rare combination of range and strength shedding double teams and making tackles for a loss outside of his vicinity. Next level power shows in Darius' bull rush, but good lateral quickness shows shedding blockers and changing direction to sack scrambling quarterbacks. Good football IQ, lateral quickness, and strength in his shed highlights Darius' ability to line up anywhere as an interior run defender in college.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["126238"],"_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='126238' first='Kellen' last='Lindstrom'] is a talented defensive end out of Springfield, Missouri. Kellen committed to Tennessee on May 10th. Kellen has a great foundation of tools to be a collegiate pass rusher and recruiters will be sure to have their notebooks open every time Glendale's defense steps on the field this fall.rnrnKellen shows great range and quickness beating tackles' hands, then making plays in the backfield when pursuing as the backside end. Kellen's strong anchor and football IQ shows quickly reacting to down blocks and reestablishing proper leverage on offensive linemen. Kellen's size, strength, get off, and polished pass rush arsenal highlight the traits recruiters see when they envision him wreaking havoc on collegiate passing attacks.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["321963"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='321963' first='Tionne' last='Gray'] is one of the most talented two-way prospects in Missouri. The versatile lineman flipped his commitment from Missouri to Oregon on April 13th. Coaches will have all eyes on Hazelwood Central this fall to get a preview of what the dominant defender will do one day in a Ducks uniform.rnrnTionne's size, solid anchor, and smooth change of direction allow him to be a versatile interior defender in the run game.  A rare combination of range and power shows knocking back blockers with one punch before tackling ball carriers in the backfield as a backside, pursuing defender. Good top speed shows in pursuit and Tionne displays his athleticism successfully completing open field tackles. Watch for Tionne to continue knocking out linemen on both sides of the ball this fall.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["322134"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='322134' first='Caleb' last='Redd'] is a dominant edge rusher out of St. Louis. Caleb committed to Kentucky on June 28th. Caleb's elite pass rusher potential will be on full display this fall for his final year of high school football; Look for schools around the country to try and flip Caleb up until the last day of his high school career.rnrnElite range and acceleration shows when Caleb disposes of offensive tackles and disrupts stretch runs five yards in the backfield. Good top speed shows as quarterbacks fail to scramble past the line of scrimmage when Caleb closes in pursuit as a pass rusher. Next level strength and good length shows when Caleb is late with his punch yet still extends and controls blockers with ease. Elite athletic ability and top speed shows jogging to make tackles for loss as a backside unblocked defensive end.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["185397"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='185397' first='Williams' last='Nwaneri'] may be the best defensive line prospect in the country. At my last count, the Lee's Summit North defender holds over twenty-seven FBS offers. Williams' most recent visits were to Mizzou, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Georgia. The elite edge rusher is a nationally recognized recruit and will only have more eyeballs on him as his graduation approaches.rnrnWilliams displays elite athleticism in his hand speed, lateral quickness, and explosiveness as a pass rusher.  Great acceleration and instincts versus the run give backside tackles no hope of reach blocking Williams in power run schemes. Elite range shows when teams try to out leverage Williams presnap, and still have their jet sweeps disrupted before the ball carrier hits the line of scrimmage. Great size, strength, and a veteran arsenal of pass rush moves highlight Williams' potential to be an impact player as a freshman in college.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ac0275d1457"} /-->