2026 D-Linemen You Need to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bringing pressure upon backfield's all season long, these five defensive linemen/outside linebackers are some of the best you will find within the state. Pay close attention to what these players do in the 2024 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971265"],"_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='971265' first='Aidan' last='Oldfield']'s size and dimensions alone separate him from others within the state. The Oakcrest defensive end had a phenomenal 2023 campaign, as he sacked the QB 18 times, accumulated 63 tackles, and forced 2 fumbles. Arguably the most college ready d-lineman in the state, Aidan is a pass rusher that is to be feared every game of the season. With the strength to overpower blockers and drive them deep into the backfield, Aidan needs to be double teamed if his opponents want any success against him. Going up against Oakcrest, it is extremely tough for any offense to run deep vertical routes. Aidan is able to get into the backfield quickly and in the QB's face to disrupt the timing of the pass. This is a defender that deserves a lot more attention.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a0be"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16212011/6535b7b5ff0288093c60605b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc470"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1036995"],"_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":"An outside linebacker that can terrorize off of the edge, [player_tooltip player_id='1036995' first='Josh' last='Leath'] is a name to get more familiar with. Racking up 45 tackles, 10 sacks, and forcing 3 fumbles in 2023, the Moorestown pass rusher comes off the edge quickly to put pressure on the quarterback. It is very difficult to evade Josh with his long arm span. He can pull ball carries in from far away and bring them down forcefully. A player you can find in three point stance or standing up a few yards back from the line, Josh uses his hands and and arms to extend the blocker to the side, clearing his path to the quarterback.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a169"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16422607/6511c3993453120ad40b1412' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc520"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["723591"],"_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":"Another prospect with exceptional size, [player_tooltip player_id='1054407' first='Kevin' last='Taylor'] was one of Linden's most talented players in 2023. Accelerating out of his stance, Kevin fights to get to the quarterback as he racked up 10 sacks last fall. While his size really stands out, I am thoroughly impressed with his speed in the open field. He has the ability to put a run to a halt very quickly any time they try to get to the outside. As a pass rusher, Kevin can bring a pass play to a stop before the quarterback even gets the chance to get out of his drop back. With 66 tackles and 3 forced fumbles last season, Kevin is a player we should see rise in the rankings very soon.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a1de"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16481168/65402130c11a240bd8243683' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6573b8a818f84"} /--> <!-- 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='1546528' first='Jesse' last='Denobile']","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Northern Highlands","_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":"Making 76 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and forcing a fumble in 2023, Northern Highlands' [player_tooltip player_id='1546528' first='Jesse' last='Denobile'] had an impressive junior season. An outside linebacker/edge rusher, Jesse is a sure tackler as he is able to close in quickly on runners. An extremely strong presence on the field, Jesse can take a ball carrier to the ground with a single hand. As a pass rusher, Jesse can be a bruiser and can make the quarterback work extremely hard to get a clean pass out. Expect a double digit sack season for Jesse in 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a24e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20222785/64fe58dae97bbd0608fb12fc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a26c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1181814"],"_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":"A Westfield defensive end, [player_tooltip player_id='1181814' first='Zac' last='Wragg'] is another player I am confident will be rising in the rankings due to his size and sheer strength coming off of the edge. Finding the quarterback 6.5 times in 2023, it is highly unlikely you are getting away from once you are within his grasp. A defender you need to get a few bodies in front of, Zac is not a player you want to get a clean hit on your quarterback. On top of his tackling skills, Zac does an excellent job at forcing the quarterback back inside if they try to sneak out of the pocket, feeding the QB back in the direction of his teammates. Westfield has an elite defensive lineman in [player_tooltip player_id='1181814' first='Zac' last='Wragg'].","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a2cb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16530384/65667349d468d904ec4a173b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656741a275c00"} /-->