Deck’s D-Line Dawgs: Week One In Kansas

Deck&#8217;s D-Line Dawgs: Week One In Kansas

Redzone Scout Features Kansas Defensive Linemen

Jeremy Deckard September 8, 2024 @ 02:19 PM

I can't express often enough how excited I am about the Prep Redzone Kansas scout team. We will divide up some of our season coverage based on positions. I will key in on linebackers, defensive linemen, and offensive linemen.   I wrote my first report in the new series “Deck's D-Line Dawgs” before the season started, featuring five top-ranked defensive big men in the rankings.   The opening weekend featured blowouts and upsets across the state. Here is a look at five defensive linemen who had solid performances in their season openers.   I also can't mention it often enough that athletes and coaches can reach out to me to share stats, but if coaches use Max Preps or other sites to report and share stats, please list a player's height, weight, and position. I skipped over several players with higher tackle totals whose information was missing. Athletes should also include their height, weight, and position and SPELL-OUT their high school on social media and HUDL accounts.   [player_tooltip player_id='1334221' first='Cooper' last='Garrison'], DL, 6'5”, 230, Trinity Academy, ‘25   When I hear that a defensive lineman had a six-tackle game my ears perk up like a dog hearing the treat bag open. Trinity Academy's Garrison finished with six tackles in the Knights' week one loss to Garden Plain. Garrison is currently ranked No. 300 overall in the class of 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='571097' first='Dawson' last='Rodd'], DL, 6'2”, 280, Andover Central, ‘25   Rodd had a five-tackle game for the Jaguars in the season opener. Rodd is currenlty ranked No. 63 overall in the Prep Redzone rankings. He caused problems for the Hutchinson Salthawks' offensive line. He can outmuscle blockers and beat them with is speed and agility.   [player_tooltip player_id='442666' first='Holden' last='Ziegler'], DL, 6'3”, 260, Council Grove, ‘25   Ziegler is a space-eating defensive lineman currently ranked No. 64 overall in the class of 2025. The senior from Council Grove finished with seven tackles in the Braves' 40-7 season-opening win over Wabaunsee. He had 3.5 tackles for lost yardage and is a load to try to tackle.  He scored five touchdowns from his fullback position last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228511' first='Ayden' last='Ellington'], DL, 5'11”, 200, Lansing, ‘25   Ellington is currently ranked No. 418 overall in the class of 2025 rankings. He is a quick defensive end who beats linemen with his speed. He finished with 11 tackles and one quarterback sack in his first game of the season. The Lansing Lions opened their season with a 56-14 win over Tuner High School. Ellington is versatile enough to play as a DE or LB.   [player_tooltip player_id='1428950' first='Royce' last='Daniels'], DL, 5'10”, 190, Shawnee Heights, ‘26   Daniels is currenlty an unranked defensive lineman, but after a 13-tackle game in the Thunderbirds' season opener, he probably won't be unranked for long. The junior only recorded one tackle in four varsity games last season according to his Max Prep profile. Shawnee Heights lost to Washburn Rural, but the Blues have a tough offensive line making Daniels tackle total all the more impressive. It won't take long for coaches to notice him if he keeps averaging double-digit tackles per game.

I can't express often enough how excited I am about the Prep Redzone Kansas scout team. We will divide up some of our season coverage based on positions. I will key in on linebackers, defensive linemen, and offensive linemen.