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Defensive Linemen who will be risers in rankings

Defensive Linemen who will be risers in rankings
Photo: Manatua Fano
Andy Pham
Andy Pham May 16, 2025 @ 03:00 PM
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In this article:

Talimailagi Lautaha
Talimailagi Lautaha 6'4" | 260 lbs | DL | 2029
UT
Manatua Fano
Manatua Fano 6'2" | 210 lbs | EDGE | 2028
UT
Caden Montgomery
Caden Montgomery 6'4" | 205 lbs | DL | 2026
UT
Brecken Haynes
Brecken Haynes 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB | 2026
UT
Jayden Pearce
Jayden Pearce 6'3" | 225 lbs | DL | 2026
UT
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this edition, we cover some defensive linemen that will be risers and taking the next steps. Let's get to know them and why they'll be impactful for the upcoming season. Who are they? Let's find out!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1690736' first='Manatua' last='Fano']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"210","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"5926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"American Fork","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826a3b59346e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fano has a good frame to grow into and should get to 220-230 lbs with ease. He displays a quick first step and showcases good agility and overall quickness. Fano has an array of moves at his disposal that he is effective with. He has a bull rush, a spin and swim move that he can mix and match to get his lineman off-balanced. Fano shows good power and physicality to his game and presents with active, violent hands, and knows how to finish off a rush. The athletic EDGE rusher possesses good footwork and has great lateral quickness, and has all the tools in his arsenal to become a high-end rusher who should get Power-Four offers and contribute at that level. Huge upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1693947' first='Talimailagi' last='Lautaha']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"260","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bingham","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826a3b59357a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lautaha has exceptional size and his frame should allow him to get to 280 lbs. He is a versatile player who can be a defensive or offensive lineman. Lautaha showcases good suddenness and violent hands. He is light on his foot and showcases good athleticism. Lautaha moves well laterally and has good speed. I prefer him as an interior rusher who can develop into a run-stuffing defensive tackle and occupies double teams. Lautaha has great upside and has the makings of a Power-Four recruit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284196"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826a3b5935fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pearce has a good frame and size. He's a player who can continue to bulk up, but showcases good strength as is. He is a good rusher who can play inside and outside. That versatility allows him to be a mismatch anywhere he lines up. As an EDGE rusher, he shows a good first step, with quick, violent hands, and showcases a good bend and closing speed to get around the edge to the ball carrier. As an interior rusher, he showcases good power and easily sheds his blockers, and he has the strength to toss his lineman to the side. Pearce is an active rusher with good pursuit and is a player who should get regionally recruited. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1558179"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826a3b593671"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Montgomery has a good frame and should continue to fill out and get bigger to take on heavier linemen. He is a versatile player who can play multiple positions along the defensive line. Montgomery is a good rusher and showcases good physicality in his game, and his strength translates to him being able to easily shed blockers and double teams. He moves well and has good lateral quickness. Montgomery shows good pursuit and closing speed. Overall, he has a chance to take on a bigger role for the upcoming season, and if he continues to fill out his frame, he should have a fantastic final year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1555798"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6826a3b5936df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Haynes is a hybrid player who is best as an EDGE rusher. He should be able to add an extra 10 lbs with ease. Haynes showcases good speed and instincts for the position. Hs is a good rusher with athletic traits that will work. Haynes has quickness and moves well with good bend and pursuit. He is best as a downhill rusher and can easily shed his blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those were five defensive linemen that you need to know about as they'll make plays under those Friday night lights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

In this edition, we cover some defensive linemen that will be risers and taking the next steps. Let's get to know them and why they'll be impactful for the upcoming season. Who are they? Let's find out!

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Manatua Fano Manatua Fano 6'2" | 210 lbs | EDGE American Fork | 2028 State UT

HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 210
POS EDGE
CLASS 2028

Manatua Fano Manatua Fano 6'2" | 210 lbs | EDGE American Fork | 2028 State UT

School: American Fork
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Talimailagi Lautaha Talimailagi Lautaha Talimailagi Lautaha 6'4" | 260 lbs | DL Bingham | 2029 State UT

HEIGHT 6'4"
WEIGHT 260
POS DL
CLASS 2029

Talimailagi Lautaha Talimailagi Lautaha Talimailagi Lautaha 6'4" | 260 lbs | DL Bingham | 2029 State UT

School: Bingham
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Jayden Pearce

Jayden Pearce

UT
DL
HEIGHT 6'3"
WEIGHT 225
POS DL
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jayden
Pearce DL
Class
2026
Height
6'3"
Weight
225
HS
Corner Canyon
|
UT
Defensive Linemen who will be risers in rankings
Pearce has a good frame and size. He’s a player who can continue to bulk up, but showcases...
Written by Andy Pham
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Jayden Pearce

Instagram Twitter
State: Utah
School: Corner Canyon
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Highlights

Caden Montgomery

Caden Montgomery

UT
DL
HEIGHT 6'4"
WEIGHT 205
POS DL
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Caden
Montgomery DL
Class
2026
Height
6'4"
Weight
205
HS
Davis
|
UT
Defensive Linemen who will be risers in rankings
Montgomery has a good frame and should continue to fill out and get bigger to take on heavier...
Written by Andy Pham
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Caden Montgomery

State: Utah
School: Davis
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Highlights

Brecken Haynes

Brecken Haynes

UT
LB
HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 200
POS LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Brecken
Haynes LB
Class
2026
Height
6'1"
Weight
200
HS
Bear River
|
UT
Defensive Linemen who will be risers in rankings
Haynes is a hybrid player who is best as an EDGE rusher. He should be able to add...
Written by Andy Pham
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Brecken Haynes

State: Utah
School: Bear River
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Highlights

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