The Nasty Nine: Defensive Linemen Headed To NAIA Schools
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Prep Redzone Kansas continues to feature Kansas athletes who have signed with college football programs, but who are not among our currently 330 players ranked in the Class of 2024. Here is an eighth report that features nine defensive linemen…
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Continue ReadingPrep Redzone Kansas continues to feature Kansas athletes who have signed with college football programs, but who are not among our currently 330 players ranked in the Class of 2024.
Here is an eighth report that features nine defensive linemen who plan on continuing their football careers at NAIA programs in Kansas.
Dayne Goss Dayne Goss 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Sacred Heart | 2024 State KS , DL, 6’4”, 265, Sacred Heart (Bethany)
Goss is a run-stopping defensive tackle with good lateral movement. The Sacred Heart product is headed to Lindsborg to play for the Bethany Swedes.
Kolton Greathouse Kolton Greathouse 5'11" | 255 lbs | DL Iola | 2024 State KS , DL, 5’11”, 255, Iola (Friends)
Greathouse is also an effective tackle against the run. He finished with over 30 tackles during his senior season and can beat blockers with both strength and speed. He is headed to Wichita to play for the Friends Falcons.
Dee’onn Jones Dee’onn Jones 6'0" | 225 lbs | DL Great Bend | 2024 State KS , DL, 6’0”, 225, Great Bend (Southwestern)
Jones plays defensive end and can flat-out get after the quarterback. He had back-to-back seasons of 50-plus tackles during his junior and senior campaigns. He finished his high school career with 152 career tackles and four quarterback sacks. The Great Bend Panther is headed to Winfield to play for the Southwestern Moundbuilders.
Colin Ketter Colin Ketter 6'1" | 205 lbs | DL KC Piper | 2024 State KS , DL, 6’1”, 205, KC Piper (Baker)
Piper’s Ketter can play defensive end or linebacker. His speed is what makes him dangerous. During his senior season, he finished the 16 tackles-for-loss and six quarterback sacks. He racked up a total of 75 tackles last fall for the Pirates. Ketter is headed to Baldwin City to play for the Baker Wildcats.
Jaki Lee Jaki Lee 5'9" | 215 lbs | DL Shawnee Heights | 2024 State KS , DL, 5’9”, 215, Shawnee Heights (MidAmerica Nazarene)
The next four linemen are all headed to Olathe to play for the MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers. Lee is the one member of this list who I saw play in person last fall. He has excellent balance and eats up space, despite being a little undersized. He finished his senior season with 31 total tackles for the Thunderbirds.
Joseph Paige Joseph Paige 6'5" | 245 lbs | DL Parsons | 2024 State KS , DL, 6’5”, 245, Parsons (MidAmerica Nazarene)
Paige just looks part. He is long and mean, has a full goatee, and his left arm is inked up like a professional wrestler. He transferred from Labette County to Parsons High School and benefited by playing against stiffer competition. I believe he will compete for a starting spot very early in his career. If football does not work out for him he could hit the professional wrestling ring. I would not want to line up across from him.
William Nobles William Nobles 5'11" | 245 lbs | DL Manhattan Eagles | 2024 State KS , DL, 5’11”, 245, Manhattan Eagles (MidAmerica Nazarene)
Nobles is a homeschooled athlete who played for the Manhattan Eagles. He is a physical defensive end who can disrupt the offensive backfield. He is a coachable and humble athlete who understands that his signing is both unique and important for the other home-schooled athletes he plays with and competes against.
Kortez Washington Kortez Washington 6'2" | 190 lbs | DL Shawnee Mission West | 2024 State KS , DL, 6’2”, 190, Shawnee Mission West (MidAmerica Nazarene)
Washington is a powerful defender with legs like tree trunks. He also wrestled in high school and those mat skills are apparent in his football highlights. He finished with more than 30 tackles during his senior season and had multiple TFLs.
Gavin Wedel Gavin Wedel 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL McPherson | 2024 State KS , DL, 6’3”, 215, McPherson (Southwestern)
McPherson product Wedel is a stout defensive end who understands how to get leverage against blockers. He has plus speed and does not give up on plays. He has a high football IQ and understands the responsibilities of the DE position. He joins Dee’onn Jones Dee’onn Jones 6'0" | 225 lbs | DL Great Bend | 2024 State KS as a Southwestern commitment.