Top Defensive Linemen
Class of 2027 -- ranked by measurables, physical ceiling, and recruiting validation
At 6'5" 240 lbs with 63 tackles, 17 TFL, and 8 sacks, Tisdall has the prototypical EDGE frame and elite disruption production to be a legitimate D1 prospect. The absence of verified athletic testing and camp offers is the only thing keeping him from being a consensus top prospect — one strong camp circuit could change everything.
Tisdall is a physically imposing EDGE prospect with prototypical size (6'5" 240) and an outstanding junior stat line (17 TFL, 8 sacks). His combination of length, motor, hand usage, and pass rush moves gives him a clear FCS ceiling with G5 upside if verified athletic testing confirms his reported movement skills. The biggest gap in his profile is the absence of timed measurables and the lack of any D1 offers to date -- a strong camp circuit performance this offseason could change his recruitment dramatically.
Elite production (73 tkl, 22 TFL, 13 sacks) at 6'1" 262 lbs with verified combine numbers makes him Colorado's top DL prospect in 2027. Massive sophomore-to-junior leap, functional quickness confirmed by 5.12 shuttle, and a relentless motor project him as a college-ready interior disruptor.
Barrios-Pablo is a productive, physically mature interior defensive lineman at 6'1" 262 lbs who dominated his junior season with 73 tackles, 22 TFL, and 13 sacks as a two-way starter. He wins with an explosive first step, active hands, and a relentless motor that allows him to live in opposing backfields. His verified combine numbers (5.58 forty, 5.12 shuttle at 262 lbs) confirm functional quickness, and his three-year varsity starter resume combined with strong academics (AP coursework, Honor Roll) and multi-sport athleticism give him a high floor as a prospect with room to continue developing.
Prototypical edge frame (6'4" 230) with elite strength metrics (345 bench, 465 squat), Ivy League offers, and 72 tackles/7 sacks at 5A Regis Jesuit — now transferring to powerhouse Cherry Creek. Football pedigree (brother at UCLA), 31 ACT, and a self-reported 4.69 forty give him the highest combined ceiling of any edge in this class.
Colton Heimlicher is a high-ceiling, two-way athlete with elite size (6'4" 230) and outstanding strength metrics for a rising senior. His transfer to powerhouse Cherry Creek, combined with a productive junior year at Regis Jesuit (7.0 sacks, Top 10 PrepZone performance) and strong academics (3.6 GPA, 31 ACT), makes him an ideal Ivy League/FCS prospect with potential to earn FBS attention if he dominates at the 5A level. His brother plays DE at UCLA, suggesting a strong football pedigree and physical upside.
The most validated prospect in the group with Oregon State, New Mexico, and South Dakota offers on a 6'4" 240-lb frame. His 13 TFL at 5A Grandview show backfield disruption ability, though only 3 sacks in 12 games indicates he needs to finish more as a pass rusher — the offers confirm evaluators see the upside.
Quentin Dorsey is a 6'4", 240-lb junior edge rusher at Grandview (CO 5A) who made a dramatic statistical jump as a junior with 54 tackles, 13 TFL, and 3 sacks after posting 19 tackles and 1 TFL as a sophomore. His frame, lower-body power (365 squat, 255 clean), and short-area quickness (4.6 shuttle) give him a strong physical foundation, and his multi-sport track background adds to his athletic upside. With a full senior season ahead and room to add functional weight to his frame, Dorsey projects as a high-ceiling edge prospect whose production and measurables should continue to trend upward.
Rare length (6'5", 7'0" wingspan) and 15 TFL/6 sacks on an undefeated 4A state champion team make Webb one of the most projectable edge rushers in Colorado. At only 200 lbs he desperately needs mass, but the frame, bend, and pass-rush toolkit are exactly what college coaches project forward — a 20-lb senior-year gain could vault him into the offer conversation.
Dominick Webb is a high-upside, projectable edge rusher with rare length (6'5", 7'0" wingspan) and developing athleticism on an undefeated 4A state championship team. His frame has significant room to add mass, and his pass-rushing toolkit (bend, bull rush, hand usage) is advanced for a rising senior. If he can add 20+ lbs of functional weight and verify his speed at camps this offseason, he profiles as a legitimate mid-major to Group of 5 prospect with FBS upside -- the kind of late-developing Colorado edge that could explode between junior and senior year.
Outstanding disruption numbers (68 tkl, 19 TFL, 9 sacks) and a 28% TFL rate demonstrate a player who consistently lives in opposing backfields. The 2A competition level and 5.12 forty at 215 lbs are legitimate concerns for D1 projection, but the three-sport athleticism, 3.9 GPA, and projectable frame give him a path as a developmental D1 end or strong-side OLB.
Stalcup is a high-motor, multi-position defensive front prospect at 6'1" 215 lbs with outstanding junior-year production (68 tackles, 19 TFL, 9 sacks) out of Colorado 2A. He plays with relentless effort, wins with leverage and effort rather than pure speed, and has the frame and academic profile (3.9 GPA) to project as a developmental D1 defensive end or outside linebacker. His three-sport background and strength foundation suggest meaningful physical upside heading into his senior season.
A 6'4" 220 lb edge with elite verified strength (455 squat, 455 deadlift, 245 clean) and a massive freshman-to-junior sack jump (1 to 8) — the frame and power base are exactly what college S&C programs want to develop. Wrestling regionals qualifier at 215 lbs adds functional toughness; needs 20-30 lbs and a verified 40 time to unlock his full recruiting ceiling.
Brooks Ragan is a 6'4" 220 lb rising senior DE/TE out of Basalt (CO 2A) who exploded as a junior with 8 sacks, 9 TFL, and 49 total tackles -- a massive leap from 1 sack as a sophomore. His verified weight room numbers (455 squat, 455 deadlift, 245 bench, 245 clean) demonstrate an elite power base for his age, and his long frame has significant room to add mass. He's a high-motor, two-way lineman who impacts games as both a pass rusher and on special teams, and his best football is clearly ahead of him.
At 6'2" 288 lbs with monster strength numbers (505 squat, 315 bench, 540 deadlift) and a Cornell offer, Latta is the most physically ready interior DT in the class. His modest counting stats (28 tkl, 5 TFL, 3 sacks) reflect the nature of nose tackle play; the rugby background, leadership profile, and PRZ #10 overall ranking confirm his floor is high.
Flynn Latta is a physically mature, two-way interior lineman (C/DT) who brings verified elite strength (505 squat, 315 bench, 540 deadlift) and impressive junior-year defensive production (28 tkl, 5 TFL, 3 sacks) from the DT position. His rugby pedigree (10 years, state champion, All-State) translates to natural leverage, body control, and competitive toughness in the trenches. Combined with a strong academic and leadership profile, he projects as a high-character, high-floor interior lineman whose physical tools and work ethic suggest continued development.
The 13 TFL in 10 games at 5A Pine Creek is an elite disruption rate that jumps off the page, and his 6'5" frame is the most projectable in the class for a true defensive end. At 205 lbs he needs 40-60 lbs to be college-ready, but that's a frame-filling question, not a ceiling question — verified testing could push him into the offer conversation quickly.
Mason Stephenson is a high-upside 6'5" defensive lineman with a long, projectable frame who produced at a high level as a junior in Colorado 5A, posting 40 tackles, 13 TFL, 2.5 sacks, and 6 hurries in 10 games. His 13 TFL demonstrate elite backfield penetration ability, and his sophomore-to-junior leap shows an accelerating development curve. At 205 lbs he is still very much growing into his frame, and his ceiling will be determined by how he fills out physically and how he tests athletically -- but the length, production, and motor are all there for a legitimate developmental defensive end prospect.
Good size (6'3" 220) with room to grow, playing at 5A powerhouse Valor Christian, and PRZ scouts praise his first-step quickness and hand technique. The 40 tackles, 9 TFL, and 4 sacks as a junior show solid production, and his frame can support 240+ lbs — needs verified testing and a big senior year to earn offers.
Sanders is a 6'3" 220-lb defensive end with a strong junior season at Colorado 5A powerhouse Valor Christian, posting 40 tackles, 9 TFL, and 4 sacks. Scouting reports highlight his first-step quickness, hand technique, and block-shedding ability as his most translatable tools. Still a rising junior with significant physical upside and a frame that can support 240+ lbs at the college level — the combination of his length, motor, and pass-rush technique makes him a legitimate developmental edge prospect.
Explosive junior breakout with 65 tackles, 9 TFL, 4 sacks, and 17 hurries in only 8 games at 5A Rangeview — that per-game production rate (8.1 tkl/game) is elite. The 405 squat and 34" vertical at 205 lbs show real athleticism; needs to add weight to his 6'1" frame and get verified speed testing to define his college position.
Avoryon Brown is a 6'1" 205-lb junior DE/TE with legitimate two-way potential and explosive testing numbers (405 squat, 34" vertical). His junior season breakout -- 65 tackles, 9 TFL, 4 sacks, 17 hurries in 8 games -- shows a physically mature edge rusher who consistently disrupts at the point of attack. With a full senior season ahead and room to add functional weight to his frame, Brown projects as a developmental defensive end or outside linebacker at the next level whose motor, strength base, and athletic traits give him significant upside.
80 tackles from the DE position on back-to-back 5A state champion Cherry Creek is a remarkable motor indicator, and PRZ scouts praise his hand usage and bull rush. The low TFL/sack totals (4/3) relative to his tackle volume suggest he's more of a run-stuffer than pass-rush threat currently — needs athletic testing and improved sack production as a senior.
Thomas is a 6'3" 240 lb rising senior EDGE/DE who produced 80 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks, and an INT as a junior while starting on a back-to-back Colorado 5A state championship team. PRZ scouts praise his hand usage, bull rush power, lateral quickness, and block-shedding ability -- tools that project well at the next level. He adds long-snapping versatility and plays varsity lacrosse; the combination of size, multi-sport athleticism, and a rapid development trajectory (10 tackles as a sophomore to 80 as a junior) makes him a prospect worth evaluating closely heading into his senior year.
Three-year varsity starter with 35 career TFL and strong squat numbers (405 lbs) — the backfield disruption is real and consistent across three seasons. At 6'1" 220, he'll need to add 40-60 lbs to project as a D1 interior DT, or find a scheme that values a penetrating 3-technique; the lack of athletic testing data is the biggest gap.
Kason Lopez is a high-motor, undersized interior defensive lineman with elite backfield disruption production -- 35 career TFL and 6.5 sacks through three varsity seasons starting as a freshman. His strength numbers (405 squat, 225 bench) show a strong foundation, and his consistent statistical improvement each year suggests he is still ascending. The key projection question is whether his 6'1" frame can carry the 260-280+ lbs needed to hold up as an interior lineman at the next level, or whether his skillset translates better to a penetrating 3-technique or even an edge role in certain schemes.
7 sacks and 13 hurries as a DE on a 13-1 playoff team at 3A Pomona show legit pass-rush ability and consistent pressure generation. At 6'0" 185, he's significantly undersized for a college DE and will need to add 30+ lbs while maintaining his quickness to project as an OLB or rush specialist.
Javon Barnard is a productive, high-motor defensive end who posted 7 sacks, 11 TFL, and 13 hurries as a junior on a 13-1 CHSAA 3A playoff team. At 6'0" 185 lbs with DE/MLB versatility, he projects as an EDGE/OLB at the college level with room to grow into his frame. His relentless pass-rush production and ability to stack tackles from the DE spot suggest a player whose motor and instincts will translate — he needs verified athletic testing to fully define his ceiling.
At 6'3" 240 lbs as a sophomore with 76 tackles and 10 TFL, Knezel has the size and production timeline that scream upside — he's a full year younger than most players on this list. The 8-man competition level is a real concern, but the frame and motor are college-caliber; verified athletic testing heading into his junior year is critical.
Connor Knezel is a 6'3" 240-lb two-way lineman who posted 76 tackles, 10 TFL, and 3 sacks as a sophomore defensive end while also recording 21 pancake blocks on offense. He carries a 4.0 GPA and has been a varsity starter since his freshman year. His size, motor, and production project him as a developmental defensive end or edge player at the next level, though verified athletic testing would help confirm his speed and explosiveness ceiling.
8.7 tackles per game from the DT spot is an absurd motor indicator, and 78 tackles with 7 TFL in 9 games at 265 lbs shows a nose tackle who plays every snap hard. The 6'1" height and 2A competition level limit his ceiling, but his density, pad level, and turnover creation (3 FR, 2 FF) make him a high-floor interior plugger.
Connor Anthes is a productive, high-motor interior defensive lineman who posted 78 tackles and 7 TFL in just 9 games as a junior at the 2A level -- an 8.7 tackles-per-game clip that is exceptional for a down lineman. At 6'1" 265 lbs, he plays with the density, pad level, and effort to stack and shed blocks against the run, and his 140 career tackles through three varsity seasons demonstrate durability and consistency. He projects as a nose tackle or interior DL at the next level, and verified athletic testing data would help further define his ceiling.
Solid all-around production (63 tkl, 8 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FF) at 4A Grand Junction with a projectable 6'2" 210 frame that could carry 230-240 in college. Wrestling background adds leverage and hand-fighting ability; needs verified testing and a stronger sack total as a senior to generate recruiting interest.
Trevon Young is a 6'2" 210-lb junior defensive end at Grand Junction (CO 4A) who posted 63 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles across 12 varsity games. His production, especially in the backfield, is notable for a player with significant physical growth still ahead of him. As a multi-sport athlete with a wrestling background, he possesses the leverage and competitive toughness that translate well to the next level, and his frame suggests he could carry 230-240 lbs with a college strength program.
85 tackles and 10 TFL from a DL/LB hybrid at 2A Basalt show a relentless motor and nose for the ball, highlighted by a 14-tackle game vs. Rifle. At 6'1" 195 he's undersized for a college DE and needs to add 25-30 lbs — the production is real but the frame and competition level create projection questions.
Chris Hays is a high-motor, two-way player from Basalt (CO 2A) whose primary value right now is on the defensive side of the ball, where he posted 85 tackles, 10 TFL, and 3 sacks as a junior. At 6'1" 195, he projects more as an OLB/DE hybrid than a traditional tight end at the next level, and his ability to consistently get into the backfield is his calling card. He still has his senior season to grow into his frame and expand his offensive role -- the athletic bloodlines are there (brother Taylor was a dynamic playmaker for Basalt's 11-1 semifinal team) and his multi-sport background suggests upside.
Older brother Taylor Hays was a standout two-way player at Basalt High School (Class of 2025). Listed at 6'2", Taylor caught 31 passes for 552 yards and 12 touchdowns, rushed 31 times for 360 yards and 5 TDs, and led the team with 8 interceptions on defense during the 2024-25 season (11-1, 2A state semifinalists). Taylor signed with Nebraska Wesleyan University (NCAA Division III) for football.
61 tackles and 11 TFL at 4A Mountain Range show legitimate backfield disruption ability and a steep development curve from his sophomore year. At 5'11" 180 with no film or athletic testing available, his physical profile is the biggest question — he needs to add significant mass and get on the camp circuit to generate any recruiting traction.
Kian Martinez is a 5'11" 180 lb defensive prospect at Mountain Range who posted 61 tackles, 11 TFL, and 5 sacks as a junior -- production numbers that indicate a high-motor defender who wins in the backfield at a strong rate. His statistical jump from sophomore year (13 tackles, 1 sack in 5 games) to junior year shows a player on a steep development curve with his best football still ahead of him. Verified athletic testing and film are needed to fully assess his physical tools and technique, but the on-field production and frame suggest a player worth tracking closely heading into his senior season.
Projectable 6'3" frame with wrestling background and positional versatility (DE/OL/TE/LB), plus a solid production jump to 47 tackles and 6 TFL as a junior at 4A Silver Creek. At 200 lbs he needs 40+ lbs to play D-line in college; the tools and frame are there but the lack of testing data and modest pass-rush numbers keep him developmental.
Carter Blair is a 6'3" 200-lb junior defensive end at Silver Creek (CO 4A) who took a major step forward in 2025 with 47 tackles, 6 TFL, and 2 sacks after posting 24 tackles as a sophomore. His frame, wrestling background, and positional versatility (has played DE, OL, TE, and LB) give him a projectable physical profile with room to add functional weight. Film shows an active, disruptive presence off the edge with the motor and leverage to continue improving as a pass rusher heading into his senior season.
Named to the Coloradoan All-Area team after posting 40 tackles, 6 TFL, and 2 sacks in 9 games at 5A Fossil Ridge — the all-conference recognition at a high classification validates his production. At 6'2" 190, he needs 40+ lbs and verified athletic testing; the two-way TE/OLB usage shows football IQ but he's very early in his physical development.
Cohen Saunders is a 6'2" 190 lb junior OLB/TE at Fossil Ridge (CO 5A) who showed a significant production jump in 2025 with 40 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 PDs, and 4 QB hurries across 9 games. He has a lean, projectable frame with room to add considerable mass and plays with an evident motor — multiple film clips and a published photo show him finishing plays on quarterbacks and in the backfield. His two-way usage (OLB/TE) speaks to his football IQ and versatility, and his development curve from sophomore to junior year suggests he is still ascending as a player heading into his senior season.
A 5x sack increase from sophomore to junior year shows real pass-rush development, and the wrestling/track background adds functional athleticism. At 5'10" 205 he's undersized for any D-line position at the college level and profiles more as a rush specialist or sub-package OLB — needs verified testing and a big senior year.
Jonah Hernandez is a compact, high-motor defensive end who made a significant leap as a junior, posting 39 tackles, 7 TFL, 5 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries in 11 games of Colorado 4A competition. He plays with relentless effort and has three years of varsity experience. His 5'10" / 205 lb frame likely projects him as an outside linebacker or rush specialist at the next level, though his wrestling background and track participation suggest functional strength and athleticism that could support continued physical development. A 3.9 GPA with AP coursework makes him an easy admit.
Significant sophomore-to-junior leap (5 to 36 tackles) and an 11-tackle game vs. Sand Creek show a player ascending quickly, with scout praise for pad level and hand strength. At 6'1" 215 he's caught between OL and DL projection and needs 35-40+ lbs to play either position in college — the tools are raw but the development trajectory is encouraging.
Xander Valentin Bradford is a 6'1", 210-215 lb two-way lineman at Centaurus (CO) who took a significant step forward as a junior, posting 36 tackles, 5 TFL, and 2 sacks on defense while starting on the offensive line. Scout evaluations highlight his low pad level, hand strength, pull-blocking ability, and competitive toughness. The key question for Bradford's projection is his frame -- he'll need to add 35-40+ lbs to play on either line at the college level, and verified athletic testing would help define his ceiling as either an undersized DL or a developmental OL prospect.
All-State 8-man selection with 82 tackles, 12 TFL, and 1,673 rushing yards is an incredible two-way stat line, but at 5'9" 170 he is not a college defensive lineman. His competitive fire and wrestling pedigree (100 wins) are real, but he'll need to find a position — likely safety or slot — to have a path at the next level.
Owen Harris is a high-motor, two-way football player who dominated Colorado 8-Man football as a junior with 1,673 rushing yards and 17 TDs while also posting 82 tackles, 12 TFL, and 5 sacks on defense. At 5'9" 170 lbs with a 245 lb bench press, he possesses legitimate functional strength and contact balance that fuel his 7.7 YPC average. His position at the next level will likely need to shift from his current RB/DE role -- he projects as an athlete with the toughness, two-way versatility, and competitive drive to contribute in a scheme that values effort and physicality.
Intriguing 6'2" frame with two-way production (567 rush yds, 30 tkl, 3 sacks) at 1A Monte Vista, but 190 lbs and no verified testing from the smallest classification make college projection difficult. His best path may be as an athlete designation who adds 20-25 lbs and earns a look at a small-college camp.
Judah Howe is a 6'2" 190 lb two-way athlete with an ideal frame to continue adding mass through his senior year and beyond. His junior breakout -- 567 rushing yards on 7.8 YPC with 8 TDs and a 60-yard long run -- shows a runner who can create explosive plays while also contributing 30 tackles, 3 TFL, and 3 sacks on defense. He projects as a physical, downhill runner with the length and frame to grow into a 210-215 lb back at the college level, and his multi-sport background (varsity baseball, LHP) supports overall athleticism and coordination.