Week 1 Standouts: Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These four defensive linemen created havoc for offenses in the run and passing game. They are hard to contain and made big plays for their team in their first game of the new season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='905088' first='Bott' last='Mulitalo'] II || DL || 6'4 || 255 || Lone Peak High School || 2026&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mulitalo seemed poised for a breakout season, but he wasted no time making his presence felt in the first game. The Sophomore defensive lineman was a dominant force against the Miners, finishing with an impressive ten tackles and three sacks. Mulitalo's speed and power makes him a force to be reckoned with for every offense he encounters. He had one of the game's biggest plays against Bingham when he got home for a key third-down sack to force a field goal that would be missed the very next play right before halftime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406974' first='Ian' last='Mariner'] || DL || 6'1 || 290 || Skyridge High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mariner was a strong presence in the middle of the Falcon's defensive line in 2022, and to begin the 2023 season, he picked up right where he left off last fall. The senior defensive linemen decimated the Thunderbird's offensive line with four tackles, one sack, and four quarterback pressures. Mariner's ability to take on double teams and collapse pockets from the interior will make him one of the top defensive linemen in the state this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='717884' first='Ocean' last='Taufa'] || DL || 6'2 || 235 || Desert Hills High School || 2026&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taufa showed out against one of the top teams in 5A, the Brighton Bengals. The Sophomore defensive lineman had 15 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 sack in his sensational season-opening performance. Taufa is quick off the snap and does a good job standing up offensive linemen in the run game. The dominant defensive tackle is a fierce run defender and pass rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake Jensen || DL || 6'3 || 220 || American Fork High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jensen led an exceptional effort from the American Fork defensive line that helped the Cavemen get an impressive 42-14 win over Roy. The senior defensive end logged two sacks and was constantly applying pressure in the pocket. His physicality and textbook technique allow him to repeatedly win his one-on-one matches and force quick throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='460227' first='Donovan' last='Arnold'] || DL || 6'3 || 195 || Copper Hills High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arnold was all over the field in the Grizzlies 32-10 victory over Clearfield. The rangy defender stuffed the state sheet in his first game of the season with eight tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and a pass deflection. Arnold's elite athleticism helps him get around offensive linemen when rushing the passer. He's quick off the snap and flies around the field, making play after play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seth Shumway || DL 5'11 || 280 || Pine View High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shumway suffocated the Logan offense helping the Panthers hold them under 20 points in their 43-19 win. He created pressure from the interior repeatedly and was an elite-run defender. Shumway explodes off the snap to knock offensive linemen back while controlling his gap. He does an excellent job disengaging from blockers when running backs are close to him and can bring them down behind the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tesler Fields || DL || Milford High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fields helped the Tigers defeat Grand with eight tackles and three sacks in the 59-14 win. The senior defensive end made plays behind the line of scrimmage constantly. Fields did a great job setting the edge and was unblockable for all four quarters. He led Milford in tackles and sacks in what could be the first of many times doing it in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MJ Taulafo || 6'3 || 265 || Hunter High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taulafo was fantastic off the edge for Hunter in their season-opening game against Green Canyon. The lengthy pass rusher finished the night with two sacks and frequently found his way into the Wolves backfield. Taulafo's long arms and elite bend helped him get around offensive tackles and make timely plays for the Wolverines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->