Believe it or not, we are already in Week 5 of the high school football season.
Prior to the kickoff of the season, we told gave our opinion on the top 10 defensive linemen in the area. For the most part, not a whole lot has changed in the first four weeks.
Most of the top-ranked guys remain, with some new names to mention that have emerged as the best D-linemen in the area. A lot of these young men are box office material we get to see on Friday nights right here in our own backyard.
It’s no secret, defensive line is where we’re loaded with the most talent at the moment in our area. Here are 10 dawgs on the defensive front that stand apart from the rest through four weeks of play.
NOTE: These rankings will be updated periodically between as the season progresses, with the possibility of new names joining the list and names moving up and down.
1. Ifeanyi Emedobi, senior, Northrop
There is no debate right now. Ifeanyi is the best defensive player in the area and one could even argue the state. The potential that all of those top Power 4 colleges see in him is starting to hit the surface. Through three games, the senior has 25 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six QB hits and a pair of sacks. The film and eye tests don’t lie with this kid. His relentless motor remains unmatched and the scariest part is, he is just getting started. He holds his spot at No. 1 until someone convinces me otherwise.
2. Leslie Woodson, senior, North Side
Woodson has been on a tear since the opening kickoff this season, having already accumulated 26 tackles, nine TFL and five sacks in four games. After seeing him in person in Week 3 against Northrop, I ended up having basically an entire highlight tape of him as he was everywhere the ball was. There is a clear reason why Iowa State got this young man, who is only getting better every week. He is definitely trending up in my book. If you haven’t yet seen him in action, go see for yourself.
3. Javontae Eldridge, junior, Wayne
A pick-six for a touchdown on top of 19 tackles, two TFL and a sack means that this junior edge is starting to heat up. The potential is there and he has yet to fully reach it, which is why he falls to No. 3 this time around. Looking forward to seeing how he projects the next few weeks against South Side, North Side and Concordia.
4. Omarion Waites, senior, North Side
The Eastern Michigan commit continues to shine on the defensive line for the Legends. Alongside Woodson, Waites provides another threat to get into the backfield every play. Waites has five sacks in four games to go along with 29 total tackles and six TFL. One thing is for certain, say what you want, but North Side’s D-line produces.
5. Luke Hayworth, junior, Concordia
Hayworth is having a phenomenal junior season for the Cadets. I remember seeing him at a winter showcase back in January and thinking he was going to be a problem this year and he absolutely has. He has four sacks in four games, 20 total tackles and five TFL. More offers will start rolling in here soon. In fact, a couple weeks ago, Hayworth received a game day invite to the University of Miami (OH). He continues trending upward.
6. Camden Day, senior, Northrop
Northrop has its own one-two punch on the defensive line with Emedobi and Camden Day. Day is another do-it-all linemen that plays on both sides of the line and I even saw him punt a few times against North Side in Week 3. Not that it has anything to do with the defensive line, but the fact he does all of that and still stands out at D-line is admirable. Through three games, Day has amassed 20 tackles, six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He should continue to feast as the season progresses. Kent State is getting a hard-working DL.
7. Bryant Morris, senior, South Side
A new name cracks the D-line list and for good reason. Meet Bryant Morris. For those that are familiar with track and field, you may already know the name, but for those that aren’t, this young man leads the STATE, not the SAC, not the area, the state of Indiana in sacks at the moment with seven. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he uses his versatility and speed off the edge to get in the backfield and has done so repeatedly in the first four games. In fact, his seven sacks ranks 52nd in the country at the moment. He also has 15 total tackles and 11 TFL, all of this in his first year of playing football. Eyes should be on this young man from scouts and college coaches if they aren’t already.
8. Tayden Getts, senior, East Noble
Getts was another name on the preseason watch list that has produced through the first four games for the undefeated East Noble Knights. He has 22 total tackles, including five TFL, two sacks, a pick six and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He is one of many reasons why the Knights’ defense is amongst the best in the area and is another name to know in terms of top defensive linemen in the area.
9. Tanner Rider, senior, Columbia City
This senior has 15 total tackles, 11 of them tackles for loss for the Eagles, who are 3-1 so far this season. He also has four sacks and has been a huge contributor for an Eagles defense that many expected to struggle with a ton of players having graduated from last fall. At 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, he also has impressive size that should bring in some college offers if he continues his play at offensive guard and D-tackle.
10. Jaxton Litchfield, junior, Heritage
There’s a lot of guys on the cusp of cracking the Top 10 list, but Litchfield was another name I mentioned in the preseason that has delivered. While maybe not to his personal standards or to his full potential, the junior has still done some great things for the 3-1 Patriots. In addition to running the ball on offense, he has 16 total tackles, 5.5 TFL, and two sacks, which is enough to keep his Top 10 spot, for now. But there are names coming for that spot!
ON THE RADAR
Mykalan Westmoreland, Wayne – Three sacks
Kaden Doll, Leo – three sacks
Michael Carey, DeKalb – three sacks
Darius Holley, North Side
Landon Mills, East Noble – one sack, one forced fumble
These opinions represent those of DC Hendrix and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow DC Hendrix on X at dchendrix.
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