The 4A Club Midseason Player Rankings: Defensive Linemen
Every four weeks I like to take a look at the landscape of Class 4A football and come up with my own player rankings based on statistics. How I come up with my ratings is a system based on pro-football-reference.com’s…
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Continue ReadingEvery four weeks I like to take a look at the landscape of Class 4A football and come up with my own player rankings based on statistics. How I come up with my ratings is a system based on pro-football-reference.com’s “Approximate Value” system of ratings they use for overall performance during a season. For this article, I’m taking a look at my top 20 Class 4A Defensive Ends and top 15 Defensive Tackles. In addition, I’m also giving out my top 5 overall defensive linemen as well.
*Stats are up to Week 4*
#1. Dominic Caggiano, Southeast Polk, SR – 19.261
23.5 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Committed: Central Missouri (D-2) (9/27/20)
Analysis: Caggiano has played a pivotal part in the Rams defense and is really hitting his stride this year. He’s a speedy edge rusher who can run past the tackle and get into the backfield with ease.
#2. Nasir Washington Nasir Washington 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL Valley | 2021 State IA , Valley, SR – 16.512
21 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Committed: Miami (OH) (4/19/20)
Analysis: Nasir’s proving his worth with an excellent start to his season. He has the size, and he has the strength to get through the line and bring the running back down consistently.
#3. Togeh Deseh Togeh Deseh 6'0" | 310 lbs | DL Muscatine | 2021 IA , Muscatine, SR – 15.545 (Incomplete Stats)
15.5 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: FCS (Northern Iowa)
Analysis: Togeh has taken a couple steps forward in his senior season to become one of the state’s best nose tackles. He’s a very strong player with the size to match who can get in the backfield for a tackle for loss.
#4. Dominic Wiseman Dominic Wiseman 6'2" | 270 lbs | DL Davenport North | 2022 State IA , Davenport North, JR – 15.035
18.5 tackles, 10 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
Analysis: One of the state’s best junior linemen, it’s only a matter of time before Dominic gets an offer of some type. It’s likely a MVFC or MAC school will try to push for him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a Big 12 or Big Ten school pulls the trigger on him also. He has excellent speed for a DT and he has the strength to give opposing o-linemen a terrible night.
#5. Griffin Liddle Griffin Liddle 6'3" | 280 lbs | DL Bettendorf | 2021 State IA , Bettendorf, SR – 14.813
11.5 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Committed: Iowa (11/24/19)
Analysis: A 4-year starter, Griffin is looking to make his senior season his best yet. He’s one of the strongest linemen around, as he usually overpowers opposing linemen whether he’s on the d-line or on the o-line.
Top 20 Defensive Ends
#1. Dominic Caggiano, Southeast Polk, SR – 19.261
23.5 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Committed: Central Missouri (D-2) (9/27/20)
#2. Nasir Washington Nasir Washington 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL Valley | 2021 State IA , Valley, SR – 16.512
21 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Committed: Miami (OH) (4/19/20)
#3. Jalen Smith, Dubuque Hempstead, SR – 14.426
12.5 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 1 TD
Highest Offers: NAIA (Clarke)
#4. Jeffrey Speer, Bettendorf, SR – 13.250
10 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#5. Caleb Daniels Caleb Daniels 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Southeast Polk | 2021 IA , Southeast Polk, SR – 12.952
17 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Committed: Minnesota State (9/22/20)
#6. Max Llewellyn Max Llewellyn 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Urbandale | 2021 State IA , Urbandale, SR – 12.507
11 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Committed: Iowa (4/22/20)
#7. Kumunule Gbaley, Des Moines Roosevelt, SR – 12.427
6 tackles, 3 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#8. Jim Bonifas Jim Bonifas 6'5" | 260 lbs | OL Dubuque Senior | 2021 State IA , Dubuque Senior, SR – 11.747
9 tackles, 5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Committed: Iowa State (2/6/20)
#9. Amir Lomas, Davenport North, JR – 11.120
17.5 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#10. DayShawn Hare, Cedar Rapids Washington, SO – 10.967
10 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#11. Baxter Bohr, Prairie, SR – 10.873
13 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: NAIA (Graceland, Grand View)
#12. Gabe Jacobs, Ottumwa, SR – 10.832
8 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: NAIA (Graceland)
#13. Patrick Landeros, Marshalltown, SR – 10.749
15.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: D-3 (Hamline, Simpson)
#14. Austin Close, Marshalltown, JR – 10.598
22 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#15. Jackson Neary, Des Moines Roosevelt, SR – 10.430
3.5 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#16. Diego Cortes Diego Cortes 5'11" | 215 lbs | DL Bettendorf | 2022 IA , Bettendorf, JR – 10.310
9 tackles, 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#17. Paden Bonner, Cedar Falls, SR – 10.257
9 tackles, 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#18. Andrew DePaepe, Pleasant Valley, SO – 10.229
17.5 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#19. Noah Allen, Cedar Rapids Washington, JR – 10.184
7.5 tackles, 1 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#20. Ahvey Garrett, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, SR – 10.024
10 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: D-2 (Bemidji State)
Top 15 Defensive Tackles
#1. Togeh Deseh Togeh Deseh 6'0" | 310 lbs | DL Muscatine | 2021 IA , Muscatine, SR – 15.545 (Incomplete Stats)
15.5 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: FCS (Northern Iowa)
#2. Dominic Wiseman Dominic Wiseman 6'2" | 270 lbs | DL Davenport North | 2022 State IA , Davenport North, JR – 15.035
18.5 tackles, 10 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#3. Griffin Liddle Griffin Liddle 6'3" | 280 lbs | DL Bettendorf | 2021 State IA , Bettendorf, SR – 14.813
11.5 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Committed: Iowa (11/24/19)
#4. Kaden Klemme, Bettendorf, SR – 14.218
9 tackles, 2 TFL, 0.5 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#5. Cade Kuennen Cade Kuennen 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL Johnston | 2021 IA , Johnston, SR – 14.002
16.5 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#6. Cayden Lovett Cayden Lovett 6'1" | 280 lbs | DL Hempstead | 2021 IA , Dubuque Hempstead, SR – 13.261
13 tackles, 1 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: D-2 (Augustana (SD), Bemidji State, Minnesota State, Upper Iowa, Wayne State (NE))
#7. Finn Claypool Finn Claypool 6'0" | 250 lbs | DL Dowling Catholic | 2021 IA , Des Moines Roosevelt/Dowling, SR – 12.649
8.5 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: FCS (Valparaiso)
#8. Jaylen Pettus, Dowling, JR – 12.209
17 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: JuCo (Iowa Western)
#9. Jackie Wells, Ankeny Centennial, SR – 11.764
22 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#10. Bryan Jurado, Valley, SR – 10.733
4 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: NAIA (Graceland)
#11. Capri Wilson, Cedar Falls, SR – 10.468
14.5 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#12. Auron Greenwood, Marshalltown, SR – 10.382
9 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#13. Josue Ramirez, Prairie, SR – 10.068
9.5 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#14. Andrew Harris, Southeast Polk, JR – 10.029
11.5 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A
#15. Anterio Thompson, Dubuque Hempstead, JR – 9.808
16 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries, 0 interceptions, 0 TDs
Highest Offers: N/A