Defensive Linemen to Watch: Round Two

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am excited to evaluate some of the top talent in the trenches during Missouri's second round of the playoffs. There are a few dominant defenders who are set to make their postseason debuts after a bye last week. Below, I highlight five of the most talented defensive prospects in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1117647' first='Gabriel' last='Cunningham']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Holt","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1117647' first='Gabriel' last='Cunningham'] was a part of a stout Holt defense that only gave up seven points in the first round of the playoffs. After a solid regular season, the talented junior has seen his recruitment heat up with visits to Nebraska and Iowa State just this month. Watch for Gabe to be one of the most coveted 2025 Missouri two-way prospects before next season gets here. Gabe's size, power, and physicality gets displayed flattening defenders as a blocker in space for Holt's offense. I was impressed with the acceleration and top speed Gabe showed pulling away from defenders as a tight end running up the seam. Gabe' solid anchor and explosiveness off the snap is sure to have coaches around the Midwest keeping an eye on him during the rest of the playoffs.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["830881"],"_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='830881' first='Bryson' last='Varner'] is at the forefront of a talented Blair Oaks defense looking to repeat as state champions. Bryson was invited to Kansas State for a game day visit, but I am surprised more schools in the region have not invited him to campus. Expect Bryson to be a high-rising pass rushing prospect this winter. Bryson's great combination of length, strength, and a fast change of direction highlight his next level range coaches love in run defenders. Good flexibility and explosive power highlight Bryson's potential to be a productive speed rusher at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["268351"],"_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='265234' first='Toby' last='Moore'] committed to UNLV on September 18u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e. The dominant defender is sure to have coaches closer to Missouri keep an eye on his final postseason. Toby shows good instincts and a smooth change of direction quickly redirecting to disrupt run plays in the backfield. Good size, quickness, and active hands highlight his ability to be a versatile run defender in college. Coaches like Toby's combination of lateral quickness and power shown stunning blockers that fail to get in front of him on outside zone plays. Watch for Toby to be a rock in McDonald's defense during their second-round matchup Friday night.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["172169"],"_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='172169' first='Demetrius' last='Jones'] committed to Lindenwood on August 18u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e. The hometown recruit will have lots of eyeballs on him as Lutheran North is set to make their playoff debut. Watch for schools inside and outside Missouri to try and flip Demetrius before the winter ends. The good sized interior defender shows a stout anchor and good range in run defense. Watch for Demetrius' next level acceleration and length to impact the game as an edge rusher throughout the postseason.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1112565' first='Titan' last='Davis']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"De Smet","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1112565' first='Titan' last='Davis'] is solidifying himself as a top defender in Missouri's 2026 class. He received an offer from Kansas State this month, so don't be surprised when more schools surrounding Missouri offer the talented defensive lineman. Titan's length and strong punch shows striking blockers and resetting the line of scrimmage in the run game. Good size, anchor, and closing speed shown consistently disrupting plays in the backfield highlight Titan's versatility as a run defender in college. Coaches love Titan's potential to be a speed rusher with the good acceleration and bend he shows easily getting around tackles with a dip-n-rip move off the edge.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653f0f31e1999"} /-->