Seidl Leads the Way in Best of the Defensive Trenches

The DL position was a breakout position. It had its studs leading the way like Arrowhead's [player_tooltip player_id='1251538' first='Tristen' last='Seidl'] or Grafton's [player_tooltip player_id='700155' first='Miles' last='Muilenburg'] with their dominance in the trenches. We also had new athletes hit our radar, many of which could be steals and hidden gems for the D2/D3 levels. In particular, Jaxon Jashinsky and Colton Boehlke both made huge impacts for their team and are well worth a deeper dive. There will also be that next wave of youth proving they belong and are names to know. This position has it all, so let's talk about it in depth.    Stats: 4 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack   Sioux Falls has crushed their recruitment of the state of WI. One big win is Arrowhead DL [player_tooltip player_id='1251538' first='Tristen' last='Seidl'], and the 6'3" 270 lbs showed off his abilities while helping secure a D1 Championship. Tristen is blessed with natural gifts. He has a long frame that easily carries his 270 lbs and could easily handle more at the next level. That length was maximized because Tristen understands leverage and hand use. The big man was able to win with power and that leverage, getting into the backfield or holding the line and finding the ball. The senior was able to quickly shed multiple times and get to the ball. Tristen was able to disrupt a lot of plays even outside of the stat line above. It was a great cap to a really good HS career.     Stats: 9 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks   I was unfamiliar with the game of senior DE Jaxon Jashinksy of WDP. The senior is a long, lean athlete and by the end of Friday's D2 game I definitely knew his name. Jaxon was all over the field. GB Notre Dame didn't go to the air a ton, but when the did Jaxon went to work. He was quick around the edge and showed the range to be able to chase down the QB outside the pocket. That speed and high motor showed up all afternoon. The senior edge/DE had a tough job against the run game, trying to set the edge as an undersized athlete. Jaxon did really well using his athleticism to get angles or make the OL miss or turn and retrace his steps to get the RB from behind. Jaxon was flashing all over the field and made key stops against the run and the pass. He made a big name for himself in his final game. I could see him being an intriguing addition for a D3 program.     Stats: 4 Tackles, 2 TFLs   Back in the summer London was a big winner at camps that PRZ scouts saw him at. The senior proved that wasn't a fluke when the season rolled around and he proved it until the end. Friday night the undersized DL did what he did best. Burst off the line, turned quickness into power, and would turn the space he created off that initial engagement to get around OL. London has learned to use leverage to be strong in the trenches and use those quick feet and hands to beat blocks. I have a feeling that a D3 program is going to be very happy to land this kid.     Stats: 9 Tackles   The Northern State commit was outstanding in the D3 Championship. I don't mean on just defense either. Miles could have made the Top OL article too, but DL is his natural home. As the game went on Miles got better despite playing both ways. He was able to play so stout at the line of scrimmage. Leverage, powerful anchor, and the active upper body piled up win after win vs the OL. It was impressive watching him burst through gaps as soon as he had a glimpse of daylight to attack. Miles is a wrecking ball on the interior and I can't wait to see the role and impact he makes at the next level.     Stats: 7 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks   Sloan proved that he is going to be name to watch going forward. The sophomore lived in the Edgar backfield. He came off and would accelerate to the engagement with the OL. The '28 was able to show that he could quickly disengage and use his athleticism to make plays. His ability to change his pad level and use secondary moves and counter moves helped him make a lot of plays off the edge. This Darlington defense was a nightmare for Edgar and Sloan was a huge reason why.     Stats: 6 Tackles, 1 TFL   Colton hit his stride in this postseason. He played both ways for Grafton and it didn't hurt his impact. On defense Colton was everywhere. The senior did outstanding at finding the football and then finding a way to get to it. We saw him shuck OL/TEs aside. He won with a spin move back inside when he saw the RB cutting back underneath. Even when the RB broke the line of scrimmage Colton showed he could make the chase down tackle to the second level. The senior also made a stop with a strong edge setting. It seemed like Colton made a play in a handful of different scenarios. I'm excited to see where he ends up committing.     Stats: 5 Tackles   It is funny to see the final stat line at 5 tackles because it seemed like Hudson was involved in every play. That just shows how disruptive he can be without getting to the ball. The FCS commit demonstrated the force he is in the trenches. Explosive off the line, violent the instant he contacts the OL, powerful hands and/or bull rush. It was unreal watching the 285 lbs athlete cover ground too. He made some wild plays across the field or going all the way across the formation to make a tackle. Hudson was so quick to find the ball, so disruptive, so explosive and powerful. Plus he made a huge impact on the OL too and even ran in a 2 point conversion of his own. It was a great night for the Illinois State commit.     Stats: 5 Tackles, 2 TFLs   It is more and more common for lineman to play and dominate on both sides of the ball. That is true for Mayville's Owen Steger. Based off his build I believe that DL is where Owen could find his home at the college level. He is a long athlete, but also has the power to be able to anchor the interior at the high school level. We saw that on display live. He was able to eat up single and double teams without losing ground. Even while taking on blocks the senior was able to find the ball and execute a plan to disengage and get the stop himself. Owen is a ball of clay. Room to grow, so much to learn still. His best ball is ahead of him.     Stats: 6 Tackles   What a day for Julius! The senior OL/DL was on a tear. He attacked the OL, coming off the line quickly and instantly turning it into power. Julius was so disruptive, throwing off timing or pressuring the QB out of the pocket. Julius' bull rush highlighted his power. He played with his hands so consistently and effectively. I just can't hammer home enough how much he was impacting plays without getting the tackle. Not to mention he did really well at OL too. He is a rising senior that should see more attention after what he did in that final game.     Stats: 4 Tackles   The SJCA DL was impressively deep for being a D7 level school. One of the athletes leading the way was senior [player_tooltip player_id='537279' first='Dante' last='Williams']. He is big, strong, and a nightmare to get off his spot. C-FC couldn't get things rolling between the tackles and a big reason was Dante. He dominated his man and could find the ball while doing it. His ability to disengage last second was key to his tackles on the day. The senior is another late steal in the Class of 2026.     Stats: 2 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack   This is another surprising stat line. Sincere was all over the backfield and at the line of scrimmage making plays. He clogged up the middle, forced the ball carrier to have to try and bounce it outside and right into the arms of his fellow teammates. Sincere is a small school steal that could play OL or DL at the next level. Either way, the explosive OL has proven he can compete at the next level.

The DL position was a breakout position. It had its studs leading the way like Arrowhead's Tristen Seidl Tristen Seidl 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL Arrowhead | 2026 State WI or Grafton's Miles Muilenburg Miles Muilenburg 6'1" | 260 lbs | DL Grafton | 2026 State WI with their dominance in the trenches. We also had new athletes hit our radar, many of which could be steals and hidden gems for the D2/D3 levels. In particular, Jaxon Jashinsky and Colton Boehlke both made huge impacts for their team and are well worth a deeper dive. There will also be that next wave of youth proving they belong and are names to know. This position has it all, so let's talk about it in depth.