2024 MN South Central DL Standouts

We come back one more time to the MN South Central division to take a look at the best DL prospects coming out of this region in 2024. The South Central division holds several underrated talents that have been making a name for themselves disrupting QBs and controlling the trenches, and they should be due for a lot more attention in 2024. Here are 7 of the top DL players from the MN South Central division to watch this season!    Logan Theis has been a massive piece for Jordan's defense, and he is by far the biggest defensive lineman in the division right now. Theis plays at both Nose Tackle and Guard, Theis has an impressive physique, with great upper body frame and excellent balance in his lower body. Theis moves quickly for his size and sheds blockers with ease to get into the backfield. Theis has already received looks from teams across all three divisions, including an invite from St. Thomas in the D1 level. Theis' size and athleticism should not be ignored, and he will remain a stellar piece of the Hubmen football team in 2024.     Caleb Haskin is another large lineman with intriguing athleticism, posting a 345 lb max squat and a 485 lb max deadlift. Haskin played limited snaps last season at DT, but he's played very well. His frame has made him very difficult for O-linemen to block, and Haskin moves the interior very well to stop the run-game. He drives blockers out of the way and shows good reach in grabbing ball-carriers before they can attack a hole. Haskin should get a lot more playing time in his senior year, and he is a Nose Tackle that can seal the A and B gaps single-handedly.     [player_tooltip player_id='591744' first='Matthew' last='Martin'] has been a solid cog in the middle of Fairmont's defensive line. Martin plays with solid power and hands to stop the run game, but what impresses me the most is the consistent effort he puts into every play. Martin works even harder when the play goes around him and he has to chase the runner down, and Martin shows great hustle and smart angle pursuits to stop the ball-carrier from breaking through the secondary. I hope that Martin continues to build on his athleticism, and his dedication on the field should pay off as Fairmont looks to pursue a state title in 2024.     Layne Sasker is another big-bodied defender that plugs up the middle gaps on the trenches. Sasker plays with great balance and a surprising amount of agility to move around and chase the QB out of the pocket. Sasker works well as an interior pass-rusher, charging off the snap and pushing blockers aside to get into the backfield, and his disruptive ability forces QBs to make rushed throws when they see him starting to break through the trenches. Sasker has been a star on Luverne's defense and his leadership will be vital to the team's success this season.     Connor Hank plays at both DE and OT for Le Sueur. Hank's athleticism has grown considerably, as he posted a 285 lb max bench and a 370 lb max squat last season. Hank doesn't have much film currently, but on limited snaps, Hank has shown flashes as an edge rusher, showing quick speed and sure tackling for his size. It will be interesting seeing how Le Sueur utilizes Hank on the defense next season, and his versatility may make him a dangerous pass rusher that could earn a spot on our rankings by the end of the year.     [player_tooltip player_id='1583254' first='Gavin' last='Schaefer'] is an interesting athlete who plays with tenacity on the trenches. Schaefer compensates for his smaller size at DE with explosive acceleration and quick agility to get around his blockers and get to the ball-carrier. Schaefer is not afraid to get down and dirty, playing with physicality on the line and shows excellent form in his tackling. Schaefer should get to see more on the defensive side of the field next season, and I hope Marshall will unearth his raw talent as a potentially dangerous edge rusher.     Chase Byrne finished last season as a first-team All-District selection after finishing with 72 tackles and 3 sacks last season. Byrne made up for his lack of size with his consistent effort and natural ability to find himself right in the spot where the RB is headed. Byrne shows great hand placement and despite his sack-total, Byrne was disruptive all season as a pass-rusher, forcing several QB hurries. Byrne has been one of the best pass rushers in the division, and if he can build some weight, Byrne should garner plenty of attention from collegiate teams.

We come back one more time to the MN South Central division to take a look at the best DL prospects coming out of this region in 2024. The South Central division holds several underrated talents that have been making a name for themselves disrupting QBs and controlling the trenches, and they should be due for a lot more attention in 2024. Here are 7 of the top DL players from the MN South Central division to watch this season!