Rankings Spotlight: Five 2025 Defensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The recruiting emphasis for prospects to play on the defensive line has increase at the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football fans and coaches across the country have seen the importance of talented space eaters and edge rushers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a quick look at five prospects in the Kansas Class of 2025 who can impact a game from their defensive line positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442666' first='Holden' last='Ziegler'],</strong> DL, 6'3”, 260, Council Grove, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ziegler is currently tanked No. 45 overall by Prep Redzone in the class of 2025. He is a high-energy defensive tackle that wreaks havoc on in opposing teams' backfields. In 26 varsity games he has recorded 34 total tackles for loss and nine quarterback sacks. He plays the run and pass well and will be a lineman to watch next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570205' first='Jermarion' last='Lyles']</strong>, DL, 6'2”, 250, Washburn Rural, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lyles is currently ranked No. 54 overall and is the ninth-ranked defensive linemen. He has a dangerous combination of size and speed. He can split blockers with his quickness or bull over them with his strength. He is quick off the ball and had one game with seven tackles last season from his interior position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115733' first='Damarion' last='Shaw']</strong>, DL, 6'0”, 220, Junction City, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shaw is currently ranked No. 55 among his Kansas peers. He has the ability to play inside or outside on a defensive line. He can beat people with his speed and he has a really good “swim” technique that beats blocker. He is a tough kid, who should be a fixture at camps and combines this spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='716711' first='Abe' last='Shaffer']</strong>, DL, 6'5”, 260, Mill Valley, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone currently has Shaffer ranked No. 92 overall in the Kansas rankings. He is a physical specimen who can eat up space and impact the run game. During his junior season he finished with 30 total tackles and five TFLs. He is a scheme oriented lineman who helps create opportunities for tackles for the Mill Valley linebacking corps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='733507' first='Hyrum' last='Vaeono']</strong>, DL, 6'3”, 285, Free State, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vaeono is a quick defensive tackle who can defeat blockers against the run or pass. He is currently ranked No. 93 overall and the fifteenth-ranked defensive linemen in the class of 2025. Vaeono finished his junior season with 34 total tackles for the Firebirds. In eight games he recorded two quarterback sacks and six TFLs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->