SWMO Top Pass Rushers Of Class 26'

I'm so proud of the progress that the Southwest region of Missouri has made in terms of discovering football prospects. With over 20 schools in the southwest region, it's not hard to find some really good football players anymore.   These six pass rushers in the class 26' really left their mark in Missouri high school football. Entering their senior season, they have their eyes set on putting their names out there for college football programs and earn some offers.    Tomlinson has really started a nice buzz with his play.   Everson Tomlinson just screams potential. He plays on the interior defensive line, and he plays with a head full of fire. Everson would be a great 1-tech defensive lineman because he shows the ability to play the run extremely well. But he also has the potential to play the 3-tech because he gets after the quarterback against the pass.   He shows a great swim move as well as a great dip and rip. He has a pretty good first step for a player his size. I was thoroughly impressed with Tomlinson's tape. His buzz is only going to increase as he enters his senior season.      Bland is ranked the 3rd best defensive lineman for a reason.   Any football scout who turns on Bland's tape will notice how extremely explosive this young man is. He stands at a healthy 6'4 and 220 pounds with a base that can take on some more weight in the future. Bland might have the best get-off in the 2026 class, and he pairs that with a motor that never quits.   When you're a top prospect at your position, you want to put out your best film against other players who are regarded as the best at their positions. When Carthage played the Nixa Eagles, Bland and the number one recruit in the nation [player_tooltip player_id='392779' first='Jackson' last='Cantwell'] had a battle for the ages. There were times that Bland had some really good reps against Cantwell and gave him some problems.      Kaden Flood is an underrated SWMO prospect.   Flood is going into the 2025 football season ready to produce for defensive coordinator Robb Richardsons defense. Kaden is a tough, gritty, hard-nosed defensive end that every team would love to have. He's tough against the run, and he sets the edge with the type of physicality you love to see.   When rushing the passer, he beats offensive lineman with pure effort and intensity. Flood almost seems like he gets stronger as the game goes on, and by the 4th quarter, opposing blockers are gasping for air and Flood seems like he's just getting started.   This is an important 25-26 football season for Kaden Flood.     I am a huge fan of Jace Renfro from Seneca, Missouri   Honestly, for the last three years, Renfro has caused absolute havoc on the defensive line. He has probably been the most consistent defensive lineman in SWMO the past three years. Renfro wins his battles by playing with overwhelming upper-body strength at the defensive tackle position. He relies heavily on getting off the ball quickly and punching his hands right in the defender's chest, buckling down, and using leverage to walk offensive lineman right back into the quarterback's lap.   Going into his senior season, Renfro looks to have his best season yet.       Devonte Martin is just scratching the surface of his physical capabilities.   When Martin is on his game, there aren't many defensive linemen who are better than him. Many times, when the Waynesville Tigers play under the Friday night lights Martin looks like a man among boys out there. He completely has his way with offensive linemen, whatever he wants to do, there aren't many that can stop him from doing otherwise.   Martin already has college football level size at 6'5 250 pounds, and he knows how to use that to his advantage. At defensive end he shows the ability to really bend the corner in a flash. At defensive tackle, he shows good quickness and hand placement when rushing the passer from inside.   Martin already holds a college football offer from Northwest Missouri. Going into his senior season, I truly believe more offers are right around the corner.     Hunter is a "Bad man" for the West Plains Zizzers.   Hunter is a movable chess piece for the Zizzers. He has taken snaps at defensive tackle, defensive end, and linebacker. Every college football defensive coordinator loves a player with some versatility, and that's Hunter in a nutshell. He can beat you in a variety of ways, and most of the time, he is the biggest, fastest strongest player on the football field.   I think he is at his best when he can pin his ears back at defensive end and rush the passer. Hunter plays with good leverage and has above-average pass-rushing technique. He also plays the run extremely well, and his football team depends on him to make plays on the defensive side of the ball, and he seems to always deliver for them.   Hunter is in store for a great senior season.

I'm so proud of the progress that the Southwest region of Missouri has made in terms of discovering football prospects. With over 20 schools in the southwest region, it's not hard to find some really good football players anymore.