Big Man Standouts: Week Two (DL)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The trenches are often overlooked and underappreciated at all levels of football but the big boys need their fair share of praise too! They are what make the entire operation possible and arguably the most important positions on the team. Here are 10 defensive linemen that looked good on film from week two of high school football in West Virginia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891254' first='Quintin' last='Goins'] - Jefferson '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Jefferson defensive lineman Quinton Goins looked great against a talented Sherando (VA) team and put some very good things on film. The former quarterback is now 6'3 250 and he's kept his athleticism as he's gotten bigger. He showed some good versatility in playing some 5-technique and sliding inside at 4i/3-tech. Goins can even be a stand-up edge rusher if needed and his pass-rushing abilities are looking dialed in. He's a college body playing high school football and offensive tackles are going to struggle against him all year. Goins did a nice job using his length to extend his arms and get his hands on opposing linemen creating good separation. His speed and athleticism also flashed when changing direction and running down ball carriers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450991' first='Jaden' last='Francisco'] - Bluefield '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bluefield junior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='450991' first='Jaden' last='Francisco'] had a tough task going up against Princeton's [player_tooltip player_id='370381' first='Eli' last='Campbell'] and Co. but the Bluefield Beaver held up well. Francisco ranks as our #2 defensive lineman in the 2025 class and you could see why in game two. He did a nice job splitting the guard and tackle at times and manned up well with Air Force commit [player_tooltip player_id='370381' first='Eli' last='Campbell'] where he held his own. Francisco also made a big impact on special teams where he blocked a PAT and had a nice boot on kickoff and the big man even had a nice kick return. He battled really well with a talented Princeton offensive line and showed why he's so highly thought of in the 2025 class. Francisco picked up his first offer from NAIA Bluefield State this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908157' first='Houston' last='Ellis'] - Man '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Man junior OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='908157' first='Houston' last='Ellis'] had a big game on both sides of the ball in their win over Mount View. The 6'2 300 Ellis has size that you don't see a lot at the Class A level and he had 3 sacks, 2 TFLs, and a fumble recovery on defense. His offensive highlights were just as impressive as his defensive ones and Ellis had a very well-rounded game overall. Man may have the biggest line in Class A and they were pushing around opposing players all game. I especially enjoyed seeing Ellis block his man nearly into the bleachers. Ellis was very active on both sides and you could see why we placed him on our Class A Preseason First Team All-State team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='894671' first='Aaron' last='Blankenship'] - Independence '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our #3 ranked defensive lineman in the 2026 class and 35th overall player [player_tooltip player_id='894671' first='Aaron' last='Blankenship'] of Independence put together a nice game on both sides of the trenches in a narrow loss to Oak Hill. Blankenship is the starting left tackle and defensive tackle and had good film at both spots. It was on defense where I really liked him and Blankenship was solid in both run defense and harassing the quarterback. He made several stops for short or no gains and put some nice pressure on the Oak Hill QB at times knocking him down and swatting a pass at the line. Blankenship is quick for his size and age and was very physical going up against a big right tackle for Oak Hill. The future is bright for this 2026 big man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450992' first='Wes' last='Brown Jr.'] - Bridgeport '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='450992' first='Wes' last='Brown Jr.'] made our big man standouts last week on the offensive side of the ball but makes our list this week for his work on the defensive line. Defensive line is his more natural spot and he showed why against a very good and physical Morgantown offensive line. The junior interior lineman is just nasty inside and a tough matchup for any center or guard. He's so quick for his size and very strong. I counted upwards of 5 TFLs from his highlight video and he created a lot of havoc in the interior of the line. Even being on the shorter side it really helps his leverage as an interior lineman and the ceiling is very high for Brown Jr. who will be a scholarship player at the next level. It's always fun to watch him play the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1099505' first='Will' last='Bass'] - Martinsburg '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martinsburg lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1099505' first='Will' last='Bass'] makes his first appearance on our site and the 6'1 240 senior had a nice game on the defensive line for the Bulldogs. He had two sacks on the night from his interior defensive line position against a good Stonebridge (VA) team. Bass does a nice job extending his arms and keeping offensive linemen from controlling him. He's also the long snapper for the Bulldogs and will make our rankings for that position in the next update. He could be a scholarship player at that position in college with his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908108' first='Carter' last='Zuliani'] - Buckhannon-Upshur '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I wrote about 2025 TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='908108' first='Carter' last='Zuliani'] in the off-season I mentioned that his ceiling is very high on the football field given his size and athleticism and the 6'5 220 junior is starting to shine on the gridiron. He's a basketball athlete who is really developing as a football player and he had a nice game against Ripley at defensive end. His first clip of his week two highlight reel is a strip sack that was returned for a touchdown by a teammate where he also made a nice block downfield to spring him into the end zone. Although he wasn't up against the stiffest of competition, Zuliani's length was just too much for the Ripley offensive tackles and he was able to make a second sack and added a third TFL in run defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891261' first='Brock' last='Meadows'] - Washington '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletic big man [player_tooltip player_id='891261' first='Brock' last='Meadows'] had a great game against Thomas Johnson (MD) in a losing effort. The 6'3 240 Washington TE/DL had 6 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and a sack on the night. Meadows has a nice combo of athleticism and power and he delivered some punishing blows in the game. He can use some pass rush moves or straight bull rush offensive tackles which is a combination you don't often see at this level. I think he could bulk up and slide inside at the next level and keep most of his athleticism in the process to make a very good interior pass rusher who can also stop the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487112' first='Zavier' last='Pollard'] - Musselman '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Musselman defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='487112' first='Zavier' last='Pollard'] had a monster game in their win over Loudoun Valley (VA). Pollard stuffed the stat sheet and the run in the game. He finished with 7 tackles, 4 for a loss, 2 sacks, a PBU, and the game-winning interception while also adding 6 pancakes on offense. Pollard can play inside or outside and has the athleticism to do both. He's a human wrecking ball and a really tough matchup for high school offensive linemen. While he's still adding the weight needed to play the position, Pollard is very strong for his size at 6'1 235. he currently ranks as the #21 overall player in the 2025 class and the 4th ranked defensive lineman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119708' first='Alias' last='Pugh'] - Weir '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I got to see 2024 Weir defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1119708' first='Alias' last='Pugh'] in person this week in their win over a very talented Toronto (OH) team. Pugh is an athletic defensive end who looks a little bigger and stronger for his senior season. You could tell from the bleacher that he's a vocal team leader and fierce competitor which also showed up in his play. Pugh was matching up with an offensive tackle with a D1 offer and more than held his own against him. Pugh has great feet and is very agile for a defensive lineman which can make him difficult to block. Even as a slighter lineman, Pugh is strong for his size and with his athleticism, he has the potential to be a scholarship player at the next level if he can add some more weight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->