Midseason SD Position Power Rankings: DL

5. [player_tooltip player_id='161295' first='Brian' last='Johnson'] - Aberdeen Central   Johnson has shown what he can do when he focuses on what he does best: being an elite run-stopper who can make any offense come to a halt. Johnson has been playing at a high level this year the defensive tackle type of position and he has been simply elite at stopping the run. This is due to a multitude of factors but he uses his big body mostly to stuff up the middle and make it very hard for anyone to gain any yardage up the middle at all. He can shift outside just as fast to get those counter-run plays or tosses that are trying to break off the edge but instead get sniffed out by Johnson. He can read the plays at the LOS and it shows that he works day in and out to study film to be an elite defender. Johnson has some elite skills on the field and that is backed up by a work ethic that shows his love for the game and wants to be better at all times. Johnson has surprised me with the show he has been putting out on the field and he ranks in at the 5 spot on the list.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='287016' first='Ty' last='Naaktgeboren'] - Sioux Falls Roosevelt   Naaktgeboren has been showing his explosiveness off the edge and that has not stopped as we hit this midway point of the year. Naaktgeboren has been easily the MVP of his defense this year and has been impressing me in a few areas of his game I have seen him improve since the season has started. To Naaktgeboren seems so much more in tune with his defense around and that's not saying he was not before, but it is like he has a sixth to communicate with his teammates. He works very well with the other elite defenders on the team and is one who will shy away from the limelight and allow his teammates to have a moment, something that you love to see in young players. His maturity is something that coaches should look at as one of his biggest strengths because while his edge-rushing ability is great, his leadership should be recognized by all. His potential as a star in college is sky-high. While I would want to put every player at the number 1 spot, I simply cannot do that so we Naaktgeboren rounding at 4.   3. [player_tooltip player_id='223086' first='William' last='Paepke'] - RC Central   Paepke has been the absolute definition of consistent and that is the best thing that you could want out of him. Paepke while not being elite at one thing, he does so much at a high level that is impressive to see happen. As a run stopper, he gives you the ability to flood up the middle and stop anyone that tries to gain any amount of traction in that right. He can jam up the middle and make the running game obsolete as the game goes on. He is disruptive in the passing game too, he can use his swim moves along with some surprising agility to maneuver past offensive linemen. Paepke slots in at the traditional defensive tackle style role but you can move him around the line if needed to use him as an edge to blow past linemen in a few ways. His versatility and ability to play a variety of roles are what truly shows me how impressive Paepke is to me and it will be exciting to see what he does at the next level.     2. [player_tooltip player_id='205259' first='Abraham' last='Myers'] - Sioux Falls Washington   Myers rounds in at the two spot and this was hard for me to rank but know that this was a back and forth I did for hours before I finished this list. Myers is simply a beast of a player that shows how talented he is every time he is on the field and makes his case as one of the best defensive players that South Dakota has had in a few years. Myers can shift just about anywhere on the defensive line and loves to be an edge rusher to exploit the weakest lineman on a team. He can find the weakness that he sees early in the game which shifts his style of play as the game goes on. His rushes off the edge are so fun to watch due to his speed and strength that comes into one package. Make sure you get out to see Myers in action since what he does is something you need to see to believe. Myers might come into this list at the end of the season but for now, he rounds in at the two spot.     1. [player_tooltip player_id='273694' first='Caleb' last='Loehr'] - Brookings   In one of the biggest risers of the season so far on these lists, we have [player_tooltip player_id='273694' first='Caleb' last='Loehr'] of Brookings and he has truly impressed me with what he has been doing defensively. Loehr has been playing elite this year and his defensive numbers are truly showing what he can do, with him having 15 sacks on the year being simply out of this world. While he might not be the biggest defensive end around, he uses his strength along with high levels of speed to bring down QBs at a very high level. Loehr is someone that you should be watching and just what he is capable of when he is playing at the level he can do. Loehr also shows great leadership and chemistry with his teammates, always trying to lift them up and make them always feel like they matter. He has some major talent and along with the attitude he shows every week, it has really impressed me this season and he comes in at the number 1 spot on the mid-season ranking list.