’28 Rankings Update: A Closer Look at D-Line

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/how-latest-28-rankings-update-came-together/">How Latest '28 Rankings Update Came Together</a>   Prep Redzone Iowa dropped a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">Class of 2028 rankings update</a> on Monday. The site dedicated itself to putting in the time as you can see by the number of student-athletes in there with evaluations attached to their profiles.   That's really the goal. We're trying to evaluate as many of you as possible in hopes of helping as Iowans receive exposure. By the way, that's another call for video highlights on your Hudl page (which we can then put in your Redzone profile). We need film to scout.   With that in mind, I'm adding evaluations in these positional breakdowns on guys we've not written about since before the season or not at all. It allows for highlighting more student-athletes while waiting on new film for players whose current film already has been evaluated. There also are reports generated from in-person scouting opportunities.   Here are '28 defensive linemen I found that needed an updated evaluation or one on their profile for the first time:    Stuefen stood out as a sophomore in a program that has a strong history of developing student-athletes for the next level. That's telling. He recorded 21.0 tackles, 11 of which were solo stops. Stuefen posted 5.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. The production is backed by what we see watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22655523/690178350d2241dbb094010c">10th-grade highlight video</a>. Playing D-End on a three-person front, Stuefen is a high-motor operator. He's in constant motion and does it with efficiency. Stuefen moves well laterally and in a straight line. He mixes burst with power meeting the O-Lineman at his point of attack. Active hands help Stuefen fight off blocks or separate from them if he becomes engaged. His frame is such that it can comfortably add good weight without the loss of agility.    <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/justin-ehlers/"></a>    Swisher established himself as a prospect of note with his performance as a sophomore in 2025. Belmond-Klemme received 42.5 tackles from the 10th-grader. Twenty one of those stops were of the solo variety. He contributed 6.5 tackles for loss and a sack, and forced a fumble. Swisher looks the part during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22589528/6963f3282e61729321ceb58a">highlight video</a> from last season, when he earned first-team all-district honors. A prospect who could end up on either side of the ball on the next level, his frame can comfortably add plenty of good weight. He looks like a tight end right now, but the path to offensive tackle is apparent with his effectiveness at the position. He's also an explosive performer on the defensive front with plenty of potential there.     Lea entered the season as a tight end prospect. That's the position at which we evaluated him for out last rankings update. Then, he flashed potential on the defensive line. Power 4 programs took notice. Lea visited Iowa and Nebraska at the end of the season and entered the offseason with recruiting momentum. Seven of Lea's 7.5 tackles were solo stops, and he added a pair of tackles for loss. We can witness what the colleges are seeing in terms of potential when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21672484/6952e4c24a6128ad4fc946e1">sophomore highlight video</a> from 2025. Lea is fundamentally sound coming off of the outside. He sets the edge before using speed, athleticism and power to beat offensive tackles. His hands are active and lateral quickness is readily apparent.     Our last evaluation of Monk happened after a rankings update midway through last year. It was a good time to check in on his advancements following a sophomore season of 2025. Monk produced, that's for sure. Thirty two of his 48.5 tackles were solo stops. He piled up 10.0 tackles for loss and added 2.5 sacks. Monk has not yet posted a 10th-grade highlight video on his Hudl page, but there are clips from individual games during the fall. In them, we see a disruptive force on the D-Line. He's a high-motor performer. Monk does well absorbing blocks, separating from them and exploding to the tackle. He's physical and heavy hands also stand out as an asset.     Herlich enjoyed a breakout of sorts as a sophomore competing in a program adept at developing next-level prospects. On top of that, there's potential for more moving forward, an exciting possibility for schools at the next level. He totaled 28.0 tackles, including 15 solo stops. Herlich was credited with 3.5 tackles for loss and a half of a sack. He also forced a fumble. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23210138/69039d186f02c708732fde5d">10th-grade highlight video</a>, Herlich shines. Coming off of the outside with a hand in the dirt, he excels at crashing down the line and dropping the ball carrier in his tracks. It's a mix of quickness and power. His hands are active and help separate from blocks. Herlich has a chance to hop up these rankings with expected development in 2026.     Fleshman is the epitome of a high-motor player. He combines that with unusual strength for his age. There's opportunity to add good weight and more power over time, leading to a sizable ceiling as a college prospect. Fleshman moves quickly in a straight line and fast laterally, aiding him in pursuit. He's able to avoid blocks on a regular basis, and an array of pass rushing maneuvers free him up when the offensive lineman is able to engage him. Fleshman also flashes potential as an offensive lineman but is more advanced on the defensive front right now. That said, the door is open for multiple positions in the future. He racked up 56.5 tackles (35 solo, 26.5 TFL) and 8.0 sacks as a 10th-grader.

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