Real-Deal D-Linemen in Iowa's 2026 Class

Iowa high school programs feature quite a few angular athletes with positional versatility. Many of them end up growing into linemen.   The state has earned a reputation for developing offensive line prospects. That's been happening more on the defensive side of the ball in recent years.   Here's a closer look at in-state D-Linemen still looking for a college home:    As we can see while watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18539584/67259db8df42325df77a506b">junior highlight video</a>, Pittenger is a handful to block. Coming off of the left edge, he fires off of the snap and puts offensive linemen on their heels right away. Pittenger has an array of moves in his pass-rushing bag with a particular fondness for the swim move. Even when he doesn't get home, he collapses the pocket, allowing teammates to take down the quarterback. Pittenger keeps his head up and eyes on the ball, crashing down when he sees the handoff and dropping running backs. He piled up 34.5 tackles in 2024, 17 of which were of the solo variety. Pittenger collected 6.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks as well catching two passes for 33 yards as a tight end.     Luce is compact and stout, operating with a low pad level and strength to drive through opponents. He illustrates that during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16704453/67ad50a03223df8df01f51f5">junior highlight video</a>. Luce overpowers interior offensive linemen, often taking on multiple blocks and separating from them. He's quick off of the snap and in tight spaces, understanding how to use leverage and his hands. Luce is a high-motor player that keeps attacking through the whistle. He finished his 11th-grade campaign with 20.0 tackles. Luce recorded 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.     Brenner is a big, physical front man, which he shows throughout his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17965546/peyton-brenner/highlights">junior highlight video</a>. He operates in different spots along the Lancers' three-man front. Brenner has a good feel for playing within the defense, waiting for ball to come to him or eating up blocks so teammates can make tackles. He's also an intriguing prospect on the offensive line, where he uses his size and strength to plow over the defensive front. On defense, he posted 30.5 tackles with 21 of them being solo stops. Brenner registered 5.0 tackles for loss and a sack, too.     Sands disrupted the plans for a lot of offenses in 2024 as the Comets ran the table on the way to a Class 4A state championship. He piled up 29.0 tackles with 18 of them being of the solo variety. He collected 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. When watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16582833/6746361fe4633310d1b96d19">junior highlight video</a>, we witness a menace in the middle of the North Polk defensive front. He also lines up on the outside, where he can combined his speed and strength to wreak havoc. Sands separates from blocks quickly and plays with his head up and eyes on the ball carrier. He often disengages and crashed down the line onto the running back.     Willey was a key member of a salty City High defense that led the Little Hawks to the playoffs again in 2024. On his Hudl page, he lists his squat at 435 pounds, his bench at 315 and his clean at 265. He employs that strength on the gridiron, where he recorded 33.0 tackles. Twenty two of his stops were solo. Willey delivered 9.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks, too. When you watch his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22615543/672a6566742f7fc527243fb9">junior highlight video</a>, you will see a disruptor whether he's lining up at tackle or off the edge. Willey uses his speed and athleticism to his advantage against slower offensive linemen with a burst that gets him to the ball in a hurry.     Klein-Foote is a space eater that absorbs blocks that free up teammates for tackles. While collecting statistics aren't his main job, Klein-Foote still recorded 6.0 tackles for loss. He reports benching 280 pounds on his Hudl page, where he also lists his deadlift (405) and clean (225). Klein-Foote's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15214109/672931cc86296d82767365db">junior highlight video</a> reveals a handful in the middle of the defensive line. He bulls his way forward while keeping good balance and his head up so he can watch the play unfold. When it comes his way, he's ready to disengage from the block and make a stop. He also gets his arms up in the passing lanes.

Iowa high school programs feature quite a few angular athletes with positional versatility. Many of them end up growing into linemen.