2025 Defensive Lineman: Southern Illinois/Central Illinois

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive lineman and edge rusher class in the state of Illinois is the strength of the 2025 class.&nbsp; We examine each area of the state breaking down some of the best prospects along the defensive line.&nbsp; Here is <strong>2025 Defensive Lineman Evals: Southern Illinois/Central Illinois</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830235' first='Iose' last='Epenesa'] (Edwardsville – 6'4” 230 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Epenesa is the younger brother of former Iowa star and Buffalo Bills defensive lineman AJ Epenesa.&nbsp; The 2025 defensive end is a 6'4" monster with a strong base and power to match.&nbsp; He is excellent using his hands in a number of ways.&nbsp; Great punch at the point of attack especially on the bull rush where he rolls his man backwards like they aren't even there.&nbsp; Also uses those hands to shed blocks with ease in the run game. Really like how well he gets off the initial block and can move down the line to tackle the back for a loss or no gain. Great at quickly identifying run vs pass and making adjustments off of it.&nbsp; He is effective as a playmaker against both.&nbsp; Creates big plays with sacks and forced fumbles. With his frame the defensive end could potentially slide down and play some three technique using his quickness and power especially once he continues to add strength in a college weight program.&nbsp; Also plays offense as a TE where he is mostly used as a blocker.&nbsp; Drives his man off the line and we could definitely see him being someone brought in on goal line situations as a full back to blow up a hole.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258001' first='Jason' last='Dowell'] (Belleville Althoff – 6'4” 275 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dowell is a big bodied defensive lineman that we saw in person this year.&nbsp; Without question one of the premier defensive lineman in the 2025 class.&nbsp; Good hands both on the punch and shedding blockers.&nbsp; He is more of a power guy than speed.&nbsp; Takes him a second to get going sometimes, but once he does he closes with tremendous burst.&nbsp; Lines up mostly at defensive end, but I can see him being a better fit long term as a three technique.&nbsp; When you see him there he works with quickness getting up the field shedding the initial block with ease for tackles on backs or getting after the QB.&nbsp; Also plays left tackle some where he displays his power, strength, and mobility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830840' first='Ke'Andre' last='McClendon'] (East St. Louis – 6'2” 245 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McClendon is a versatile defensive lineman that lines up mostly at defensive end, but can slide inside to DT.&nbsp; He is best against the run getting out of his four point stance shedding blockers and quickly finding the back.&nbsp; Monster against the run living in the backfield. Quickness off the snap for a ton of tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325422' first='Devin' last='Habermehl'] (Collinsville – 6'2” 220 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This metro east defensive end jumped off the film with his relentless motor and pursuit of the ball both against the pass and run.&nbsp; Finds the QB and chased him down even when outside of the pocket. Runs very well for a defensive lineman while also showing his power game on the bull rush.&nbsp; Hits with a physicality and mean streak.&nbsp; Holds up at the point of attack vs the run and lived in the backfield making a ton of tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292153' first='Cole' last='Matejka'] (Normal U High – 6'4” 230 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nice work from this Normal U High defensive end.&nbsp; Tape opens with him recording a pick six off a screen play.&nbsp; That was far from the only game changing play we saw.&nbsp; He was really good at getting to the QB for sacks and also hitting him causing the ball to flutter which often led to interceptions for his team.&nbsp; Good use of hands and is very technical with everything that he does.&nbsp; Uses his hands well to get up field with excellent bend.&nbsp; Extremely quick off the snap with his first step.&nbsp; Has closing speed to the QB and running back.&nbsp; Sheds blocks well vs the run and attacks downhill with a ferocity against the run game.&nbsp; Good use of hands, closing speed to QB, technically sound, and can explode to the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292708' first='Frank' last='Sanders'] (Lincoln – 6'3” 215 lbs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the season Sanders had 37 tackles, 6 sacks, and 13 tackles for loss.&nbsp; Also impacts on special teams blocking punts and making game changing plays.&nbsp; The long armed defensive end runs well in space and can play with his hand down or standing up.&nbsp; Sets the edge vs the run and is a very good tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->