A coveted recruit at the Division III and NAIA levels, Ayden Antonelli Ayden Antonelli 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB/DL Anamosa | 2026 State IA showed flashes of what he could be at the next level on Friday night.

The team leader in tackles-for-loss with 13.5, Antonelli uses his length and motor to fight on the edge of the Anamosa defensive line. With plus-length, the 2026 defensive lineman/linebacker uses it well to create separation between he and the opposing OL. A two-way player for the Blue Raiders, Antonelli — though he stands at just 6-foot-1 and 205-pounds, holds down left tackle for Anamosa on offense, too.

Ayden Antonelli Ayden Antonelli 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB/DL Anamosa | 2026 State IA exploded almost out of nowhere in 2024 to finish as one of the top edge-rushers across the Iowa high school landscape. His 14.5 sacks tied for 2nd most across all defenders last season. Antonelli also recorded 56.5 tackles (42 solo), 20 TFLs, and a fumble recovery. A flexible DE/OLB defender that can force pressure through both interior gaps and the outside rush, Antonelli was a force to be reckoned with last season, utilizing leverage very well, fast closing speed to the ball-carrier, and a good mix of power and clean form on his tackling. Antonelli is an ideal edge-rusher who has the attributes to dominate against the trenches, though he could bulk up a bit to succeed against larger blockers at the next level.

We don’t need to dive deep into Antonelli’s junior highlight video to understand how he came by 56.5 tackles in 2024. He ruined a lot of plans with 42 solo stops, 20.0 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. Antonelli fits the mold of a playmaking outside linebacker/edge rusher because he doesn’t stay blocked very long. He mixes strength and quickness to overwhelm is opponents and get them on their heels. He’s adept at diagnosing the offense, flowing to the ball and arriving with good form on his tackles.