Arkansas Top Defensive Lineman Prospects in 2024:
The talent of the defensive line position in the state of Arkansas right now is quality. In each class, you will find athleticism, versatility, strength, size or all of the above. Each of these defensive linemen are Saturday worthy and…
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Continue ReadingThe talent of the defensive line position in the state of Arkansas right now is quality. In each class, you will find athleticism, versatility, strength, size or all of the above. Each of these defensive linemen are Saturday worthy and have the skillset to dominate at the next level. Here are ten big men that you should keep an eye on during the 2024 season.
- t
- 6-Foot-1
- 250 Pounds
- Defensive Line
- Class of 2025
Arkadelphia defensive lineman Nykkisson Wimberly Nykkisson Wimberly 6’1″ | 255 lbs | DL Arkadelphia | 2025 State AR brings high football IQ on the defensive line. He is the 19th rated overall player and 1st overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2025. Wimberly displays good athletic ability making himself a perfect match for disrupting both the pass and running game. Demonstrates a great mixture of power and speed with hand strength to beat his blocker. Wimberly is someone to keep an eye on during the 2024 season.
Offers: None ATM
Note – 3.2 GPA
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- 6-Foot-1
- 300 Pounds
- Defensive Line
- Class of 2025
Little Rock Parkview defensive lineman Landon Canady Landon Canady 6’2″ | 320 lbs | DL Little Rock Parkview | 2025 State AR brings a mixture of raw strength and athleticism. He is the 32nd rated overall player and 2nd overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2025. Displays good hand techniques with the ability to bull rush or spin around his blocker. Good hand timing and strength to win at the POA and disrupting the play in the backfield in both running and passing situations. Excited to watch Canady in 2024.
Offers: Arkansas State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Central Arkansas, Grambling State, Jackson State, North Alabama & Southeast Missouri.
Note – 3.2 GPA
(1) Landon Canady Landon Canady 6’2″ | 320 lbs | DL Little Rock Parkview | 2025 State AR 2025 on X: “https://t.co/QcxNOyZZDT Best plays from sophomore and junior year enjoy https://t.co/41Fhn8KPqQ” / X (twitter.com)
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- 6-Foot-1
- 280 Pounds
- Defensive Line
- Class of 2025
Pine Bluff defensive lineman Danny Johnson explodes off the line of scrimmage, immediately getting into the backfield or disrupting the play at the start. He is the 61st rated overall player and 3rd overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2025. Johnson displays good footwork and hand placement to create inside leverage while creating a push with his active feet. He’s able to plug the gaps, forcing the running back out of rhythm. A true pass disruptor, wreaking havoc on the quarterback and the play. Johnson is someone to put on your radar.
Offers: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Note – 3.7 GPA
Highlights
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- 6-Foot-6
- 280 Pounds
- Defensive Line
- Class of 2026
Maumelle defensive lineman Anthony Kennedy Anthony Kennedy 6’6″ | 275 lbs | DL Maumelle | 2026 State AR Jr. is a wall, that can play almost every position on the defensive line. He is the 2nd rated overall player and 1st overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2026. Kennedy Jr. displays underrated speed and power that allows him to get into the opposing backfield. Has the ability to disrupt both the running and the passing game at any moment. Displays good football IQ especially being able to contain the edge really well. He’s an interior force and an outside mechanism. Demonstrates good hand technique, footwork and pad level to win his 1v1 in the interior. Keep an eye on him during the 2024 season.
Offers: Arkansas, Auburn, Alcorn State, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma State, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, UNLV & UTSA.
Highlights
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- 6-Foot-3
- 220 Pounds
- Defensive Line
- Class of 2026
Dewitt defensive lineman Carson Riggins plays with high quality effort and a very good motor. He is the 19th rated overall player and 2nd overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2026. Riggins displays explosiveness off the ball, making it hard for the offensive line to react and mirror. Good hand placement and movement to disengage off blocks and make a play in the backfield. Riggins is someone to watch during the 2024 season.
Offers: None ATM
Note – 3.5 GPA
- t
- 6-Foot-2
- 320 Pounds
- Defensive Line
- Class of 2026
Bentonville defensive lineman Kellen Wrona is a run mauler in the trenches, taking out gaps and making it hard for the offense to create space. He is the 50th rated overall player and 3rd overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2026. Wrona displays burst off the LOS with good footwork, hand placement, showcasing his reach on ball carriers. His power to drive offensive lineman into the pocket is impressive and disrupts the rhythm in the passing game. Wrona is a mauler you want to keep on your radar during 2024.
Offers: None ATM
Note – 3.7 GPA
Highlights
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- 6-Foot
- 225 Pounds
- Defensive Line
- Class of 2027
Lakeside defensive lineman Jonathan Rainey brings quickness and power off the edge. He is the 27th rated overall player and 1st overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2027. Rainey explodes off the LOS disrupting plays in the backfield with impressive athleticism. Showcases the ability to contain the edge well, either forcing the play back inside or making the play on the ball. Good length, strength and hand technique with physicality in the trenches to win reps consistently. Excited to watch Rainey in 2024.
Offers: None ATM
Highlights
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- 5-Foot-10
- 270 Pounds
- Defensive Line
- Class of 2025
Osceola defensive lineman Harris Manning brings versatility to move around on the defensive line, lining up at nose tackle, the 1 or 3 tech. He is the 88th rated overall player and 5th overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2025. Manning is an agile big man that showcases a repertoire of moves with an impressive bull rush. Strong lower body and core strength to gain control of the opposition with his hand placement, allowing himself to make a play in the backfield. Manning is someone to keep an eye on throughout the 2024 season.
Offers: None ATM
’23 Stats: 53 tackles (36 solo) 18 TFL’s, 12 pressures, 2.5 sacks and 3 FF.
Highlights
- t
- 6-Foot-3
- 310 Pounds
- Defensive Line
- Class of 2025
Fayetteville defensive lineman Jaxon Oliver is a force in the trenches with good athleticism. He is the 116th rated overall player and 10th overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2025. Oliver displays good short-area quickness and footwork while overpowering his opposition off the snap. Demonstrates multiple pass-rush moves due to his good hand timing and strength to beat his opponent into the backfield and pressuring the quarterback. Don’t be shocked if his name starts being mentioned around college recruiters.
Offers: Central Oklahoma
’23 Stats: 36 tackles (18 solo) 22 TFL’s, 21 hurries & 1 sack.
Note – 3.0 GPA
Highlights
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- 6-Foot
- 280 Pounds
- Defensive Line
- Class of 2026
Bryant defensive lineman Malachi McDonald brings good strength and lower body control, making himself an interior force. He is the 74th rated overall player and 5th overall at his position in the state of Arkansas (via Prep Redzone) for the class of 2026. McDonald displays good acceleration and explosion off the line of scrimmage, creating leverage inside with good hand placement to beat his opposition. Good footwork and hand timing, consistently creating havoc in the backfield in both the running and passing game. Good pad level and strong punches to throw off rhythm against his blockers. Excited to watch McDonald during the 2024 season.
Offers: None ATM
Note – 3.0 GPA