Closer Look at Breakout Candidates on D-Line

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we don't want to wish summer away too fast, it's easy to peak around the corner and see the Iowa high school football season quickly approaching. Friday night lights will be shining brightly before we know it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In preparation for the upcoming campaign, I thought it would be fun identifying five breakout candidates at each position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the group at the defensive line position:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2119612' first='Leland' last='David'], 2029, Sioux City East </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sioux City East Football has established itself as a builder of college prospects. The Black Raiders boast a long list of alumni that have developed into productive members of rosters at the next level. David has the look of a young player that could be the next in line. Although he didn't record any varsity statistics last season, he showed up roster. That could mean a role in 2026, when a breakout season is a good bet considering his advancements on the lower levels of the program last season. Speed, sideline to sideline and in a straight line, stand out as his best assets to date. When he adds size and strength to them, a tough matchup will emerge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1909587' first='Cade' last='Duffy'], 2029, ADM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ADM has experienced a recent run of on-field success thanks to developing student-athletes into college prospects. The program could have another young guy capable of growing into an individual programs on the next level will be pursuing. Duffy already posted 23.0 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks as a freshman in 2025, so a case can be made that he already broke out. That's fair. However, the reason he's landed on this list is because the potential is there for breaking out well beyond his production a ninth-grader, as is evident when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20328756/69228c33776090401ccdf78d" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20328756/69228c33776090401ccdf78d">highlight video</a>. Duffy is an intriguing mix of power and speed. His hands are active.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2074548' first='Kale' last='Ploog'], 2029, Northeast</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Duffy, it might seem like a breakout already happened for Ploog last season, when he recorded 26.0 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as a Northeast freshman last fall. And as is the case with Duffy, Ploog's numbers in 2025 could pale in comparison to what we see in the coming campaign. There's a high ceiling thanks for current abilities and projectable frame capable of adding strength without the loss of speed, athleticism and agility that currently make him effective. You can witness it on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24286428/691f7e1ae77971cbdefadf97" id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24286428/691f7e1ae77971cbdefadf97">ninth-grade highlight video</a>, where he also stands out lining up at offensive tackle. He has a path to the next level on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2120564' first='Austin' last='Limbaugh'], 2029, Clear Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Limbaugh brings talents to the table that should have college coaches intrigued. He's 6-foot-4, 200 pounds with speed and athleticism on a projectable frame. He reports running the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds and an 11.83 100 meters. Its a 32-inch vertical leap and 16 reps of 185 pounds on the bench press. Limbaugh played a minor role for a Clear Lake team that was ranked No. 1 in 3A for most of the season and fielded an experienced roster. Graduation losses should open up the door to more playing time, and he looks like a young man ready to tackle the opportunity and author a breakout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2119890' first='Braylon' last='Jackson'], 2029, Dowling Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson flashed his skills as a Des Moines Roosevelt freshman in 2025, accounting for 7.5 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, a forced fumble and pair of fumble recoveries. Since then, he's transferred to Dowling Catholic, where he has a chance to break out for the Maroons this coming season. That's because he's a unique athlete, who's a three-time national champion in the javelin. He also recorded the top marks in the shot put and discus among Iowa's freshmen in Class 4A. Jackson has athletic bloodlines. His older sister, Arianna Jackson, will be an Iowa State basketball senior in the fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->